For Bears, offense the best defense vs. Falcons

The Bears' injury-weakened defense doesn't appear to be in any kind of shape to deal with an Atlanta Falcons offense that has been one of the most prolific in the NFL this season, especially in the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons (2-3) clearly are a different team at home, where they're 2-0 and have scored 93 points.

It starts with quarterback Matt Ryan, who has completed 52 of 67 passes at the Georgia Dome for 734 yards, 6 touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 142.2.

That's bad for a Bears defense that has been pounded for 69 points over the previous two games, both losses.

The best - and maybe the only - way to stop the Falcons' attack might be to keep it off the field, and that's where the other side of the ball comes in for the Bears.

"We want to stay on the field offensively," coach Marc Trestman said. "That keeps Matt Ryan and his group off the field."

This would be an opportune time for the underachieving Bears offense to start doing some of the heavy lifting and live up to its lofty expectations.

The Bears' defense will be without two, and possibly three, of its top four linebackers Sunday. Lance Briggs (ribs) and Shea McClellin (broken hand) are definitely out, and Jon Bostic (back) is questionable.

They are expected to have tackle Jeremiah Ratliff back for the first time since he suffered a concussion in Week 2.

But the more the offense can control the ball and the clock, the better. And, considering the Falcons are scoring an average of 30.2 points per game, the Bears' offense will need to find the end zone frequently, while also possessing the ball for as long as possible.

"It's kind of like when we played Green Bay," running back Matt Forte said. "They have a great quarterback, too. Matt Ryan's a good quarterback, and they have some explosive receivers and running backs as well.

"But, if we can control the clock and put up points and take care of the football, that's how you can win a game like that."

Parts of that formula worked in the 38-17 loss to the Packers, especially the Bears' ability to control the ball for 36 minutes and 22 seconds.

But the offense left 7 points on the field at the end of the half when tight end Martellus Bennett was stopped inches short of the goal line as time expired.

And a pair of Jay Cutler interceptions on back-to-back possession in the third quarter inside the Packers' 30 accompanied by long returns flipped field position in favor of Green Bay.

Also, the defense allowed the Packers to score on each of their first six possessions.

So, Forte was asked if he'd be up for about 30 carries against the Falcons.

"Ideal," said the Bears' featured running back, who has had more than 17 carries just once this season.

That was against the Packers, when he had his most productive game of the season on the ground and his highest average per carry, gaining 122 yards on 23 attempts for a 5.3-yard average.

It's obvious Forte would like more work, and he'd love to get it against the Falcons, who are 28th in rushing yards allowed.

Although left tackle Jermon Bushrod (knee/ankle) will miss his second straight start, the offense is as healthy as it has been in several weeks, which has coordinator Aaron Kromer optimistic.

"I believe that Chicago Bears offense is coming back," Kromer said. "It's been such a fragmented group with the injuries to so many guys. On Saturdays we still weren't sure who was playing on Sunday, so it was hard to come together, it was hard to have that bond."

While Brandon Marshall played in every game, his availability wasn't assured until game day for a couple of weeks after his ankle injury. The Bears' other Pro Bowl wide receiver, Alshon Jeffery, was slowed earlier in the season by a hamstring injury.

Center Roberto Garza and left guard Matt Slauson both were injured before halftime of the season opener. Slauson's first game back was last week, and Garza is expected to return Sunday.

The Bears will be as close to full strength offensively as they've been in weeks, and they'll need to be if they're going to match points with the Falcons.

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