For Bears, Forte a perfect balance

Running back Matt Forte didn't share the concern of others that the ground game would be abandoned when Mike Martz took over last off-season as the Bears' offensive coordinator.

Forte's workload hasn't diminished much from last season, when he had 258 carries.

“I'm not too surprised, considering the weather and (elements),” Forte said. “Sometimes you can't throw the ball a lot, so you have to run. We can't just come out and throw the ball every down. The pass helps out the run, and the run helps out the pass. Both of them go together.”

Forte has 222 rushes this season, and he hass been more productive than ever, averaging 4.4 yards per carry, almost a yard better than last year's 3.6 and a half-yard better than his rookie season average of 3.9.

Forte said he wouldn't have been upset even if Martz had focused more on throwing the ball than running it.

“I like catching the ball out of the backfield, too,” he said. “It gave me more chances to excel in this offense on both sides, running and catching the ball.”

The third-year back is third on the team with 43 catches and 487 yards. His receptions are down from last year's 57 and 2009's total of 63, but he's doing more with less. He has 10 more receiving yards than he did as a rookie and 7 more than last year. His 11.3-yard average is better than any NFL running back, and Martz loves what he brings to the passing game.

“When you remove him outside, and a linebacker walks up on him, you can't get the ball to him fast enough,” Martz said. “When people watch him on tape, they know he's fast. But when you see him run in person, he has unusual speed. And he's a big guy. I think that that does surprise people, especially when he comes out of the backfield with that kind of speed. It does shock some of those linebackers.”

Iron man:

Center Olin Kreutz will tie Steve McMichael today for second place on the Bears' all-time list with 191 games played. Long-snapper Patrick Mannelly, who will play in his 205th game, holds the franchise record.

Kreutz will also be making his 134th consecutive start. The 13-year veteran has missed one game in nine years with the Bears.

“Just think about the position (he plays), pounding every play,” coach Lovie Smith said. “But it's not like it's a big surprise if you see how he works in the off-season. He's just the ultimate Bear for what he does. Been selected captain every year I've been here (since 2004). It's not a popularity contest. They're basing it on what they see each day from him. We could talk about Olin Kreutz the rest of the day and have a lot to talk about.”

Down time:

Win or lose today, the Bears still get a bye next weekend in the first round of the playoffs.

“It comes at the right time,” Lance Briggs said. “You play a whole football season, it takes a toll on your body, so to have a week of rest is nice.”

Like 26 other teammates, Brian Urlacher has played all 15 games, and they haven't had much down time since their regular-season bye the last weekend in October.

“You get the rest,” Urlacher said. “And it's (like) a free win. The teams in the playoffs are pretty good, so if you get that bye it's an automatic win. If you get the Saturday game (in the second round), the other team might be on a short week.”

Difference maker:

One of the biggest differences from last year's defense that allowed 327 points and this year's unit that has permitted 276 is middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Earlier in the week, Urlacher was voted to his seventh Pro Bowl, and he leads the team in solo tackles, total tackles, tackle for loss, pass breakups and fumble recoveries. Last year he played one half of the season opener before a dislocated wrist ended his NFL season.

“He's not only an elite player, but somebody who commands the team,” said weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs, who made it six straight Pro Bowls this year. “He's a natural leader.”