Simple win best kind for Bears
Now that was impressive.
The Bears' victory Thursday night in Miami was impressive as much for what they didn't do as it was for what they actually did.
Sure, they beat a good football team that was horribly beat up, but their 16-0 victory over Miami showed that the Bears could win a game by playing smart football.
That's something the Bears, specifically Mike Martz and Jay Cutler, have been unwilling to do for a healthy portion of the season, but it's something Lovie Smith must have insisted on Thursday night.
The Dolphins had no chance in this one as long as the Bears didn't hand them one.
Miami was already short-handed and missing their top two QBs and No. 1 center when they lost another center, their right tackle and their best wide receiver, all while Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long struggled terribly with a dislocated left shoulder.
So all the Bears had to do was run the ball, run the clock, and let the defense run the Dolphins off the field.
For the most part, that's exactly what they did.
Sure, Martz made a couple very odd calls and Cutler made a couple very bad throws, but they couldn't make enough mistakes to allow No. 3 QB Tyler Thigpen and the Dolphins a chance to participate in the game.
It was all Bears all night and they didn't wait long to make an important statement.
Early in the game on their first possession, when they had a third-and-12 from their own 10, they simply handed off.
A few weeks ago, one can only imagine what Martz might have called and where Cutler might have thrown the ball.
But in classic give-up fashion, they gave it to Matt Forte, who got 4 yards, and the Bears punted the ball.
It was as important a play as any all night.
Brad Maynard kicked, the defense held, Devin Hester gave them great field position with a return and the rout was on midway through the first quarter.
From there it was simple. Robbie Gould was brilliant kicking field goals and kicking off deep, the defense was incredible, Maynard punted well and the Bears took advantage of all the Miami injuries.
The Miami offense behind Thigpen, with a devastated offensive line and without a deep threat, had no chance to make up a 16-0 deficit unless the Bears gave them the football.
Yes, Cutler made a few terrible throws, backing up and throwing across the field, but those were inexplicable calls by Martz.
There were more deep drops than you would have expected, and J'Marcus Webb was absolutely schooled by Miami's Cameron Wake, leaving Cutler exposed a few times.
Webb was also charged with 4 holding calls and probably could have been called for another half dozen, something the Eagles will no doubt take note of as they watch this tape again.
Nevertheless, the Dolphins with all their injuries could have played for another 60 minutes and not scored on the Bears the way the defense was teeing off on Thigpen.
All in all, good balance, dominating time of possession (37:51) and a truly solid victory against a good team, albeit one that was missing half a dozen crucial starters.
Credit where it's due, Smith, Martz, Cutler and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli did what they had to do to win this game.
That may sound simple but this group often makes it too complicated.
Thursday night they didn't.
So now they've got an extra three days to rest and plan while Philadelphia has to play a vicious game with the Giants Sunday night.
The Bears are 7-3.
And unlike the days after many of their victories this year, you'd have to work hard to find reasons not to enjoy this one.