Confusing ending in a confusing season

PHILADELPHIA -- Muhsin Muhammad has just been elected wide receiver in charge of clarification.

"I don't think the (Eagles') defense was confused by our confusion," he said early Sunday evening.

Then he clarified his clarification.

"But I will say that I'm confused by the statement that I just made," Muhammad added with a smile.

Anyway, if the Eagles weren't confused by what happened during the final two minutes of the Bears' 19-16 victory …

Well, they had to be the only ones in Lincoln Financial Field who weren't.

I mean, nobody could explain how the Bears went 97 yards in 1:43 to score the winning touchdown with nine seconds left.

You know, with no timeouts, after not getting into the end zone the previous 59:50 and Brian Griese winging it.

"Unfortunately … or fortunately … the audio in my helmet went out before the drive," the Bears' quarterback said.

Unable to communicate with coaches, Griese completed a pass here and another there and a few others everywhere and finally one to Muhammad for a 15-yard TD.

This was a little like attending the opera. It's happening right there in front of you, all your senses are interpreting the action and you have no idea what the heck they're screaming about.

Some plays the Bears looked like they were guessing what sport they were playing. As it turned out, the drive was as scripted and entertaining as a Three Stooges routine.

Call it organized chaos, if you wish.

Let's not quibble here anyway. This year isn't like last year when the Bears not only were expected to win but expected to score artistic points as well.

Don't bother trying to get Muhammad to explain how such a dull game could become so exciting or how such atrocious football could become so appealing.

All that mattered was the Bears won, because if they lost, their season would have been as kaput as Sam Brownback's presidential campaign.

So what if the Bears' only other lead of the game came on a Robbie Gould field goal that hit the goal post on the way through?

So what if the offense's most positive play on that drive was a false start that erased a turnover on a botched snap Griese wasn't ready to receive?

"No," Bears coach Lovie Smith said, "I haven't seen that rule used before. I'm in favor of it, though, for sure."

Please, don't even try to defuse the confusion over any of that. You're liable to become as dizzy and disoriented as Muhammad was.

Just go with the flow and acknowledge that the Bears have a pulse.

All last week at Halas Hall they talked about their entire season resting on this game. They reiterated that to each other Saturday night during meetings.

"We needed this game," Griese said. "We needed this game for our season."

Momentum has been a fragile commodity for these Bears. This was their third victory and they faltered miserably attempting to build on each of the first two.

The Bears are 3-4 now in a season that has wobbled between clarity and confusion.

They're talking about beating Detroit, getting to .500 and going into the subsequent bye week feeling good about themselves.

In the revolving ball of confusion known as Planet Bears, they couldn't ask for much more.