Offense knows it didn't do job in '07

General manager Jerry Angelo recently referred to the offense this year as "inept," an assessment difficult to disagree with, considering the Bears are No. 31 in rushing yards, No. 25 in total yards and No. 29 in third-down efficiency.

"We're not going to the playoffs, so everybody has to look at themselves and say, 'What could I have done or what do I have to do better in the future?' " quarterback Kyle Orton said. "I'm sure everybody's got something they can get better at or improve upon, so you just have to take it and use it and try to become better."

Only seven teams have scored fewer offensive touchdowns than the Bears' 23, and the NFL average is 32. The Patriots established a league record with 71.

"Obviously, we know we didn't get the job done, and we can do a lot of things better," guard Roberto Garza said. "We'll continue to work on that this week and going into the off-season."

Taking it away: Although they were outgained by the Saints 375-340 in last season's NFC championship game, the Bears won easily, 39-14. The difference?

"The takeaways," defensive coordinator Bob Babich said. "We got (4) takeaways. They gained an awful lot of yards throughout the game, but we were able to stop them on third downs and get takeaways. That's a big part of the success we had on the defensive side of the ball."

The Bears didn't turn the ball over at all in that game, but they had fumble recoveries by Danieal Manning, Adewale Ogunleye and Nate Vasher, who also had an interception.

Brief comeback: Cornerback Nate Vasher was placed on injured reserve Thursday after missing 11 of the last 12 games with a groin injury.

After a 10-game absence, Vasher came back against the Vikings two weeks ago and contributed an interception and 34-yard return but slightly aggravated the injury, although he won't require surgery.

"We've missed him all year," coach Lovie Smith said. "He's a big part of our future. When he played in the Minnesota game, we got a chance to see exactly what we've missed this year."

Interest waning: With the commotion surrounding the Bulls' coaching situation, only one TV camera was at Halas Hall to record coach Lovie Smith's Thursday afternoon news conference, several fewer than usual.

"That tells you right there what kind of football season we've had," Smith joked.

Injury update: Wide receiver Bernard Berrian (knee), offensive tackle Fred Miller (ankle), defensive tackle Darwin Walker (elbow), quarterback Rex Grossman (knee) and linebacker Lance Briggs (hip) practiced on a limited basis Thursday afternoon. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (ankle) were held out of practice.

He's back: Wide receiver Brandon Rideau was added to the active roster Thursday.

He originally signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2005, joined the Bears in 2006 and spent all season on the practice squad. He also spent the 2007 preseason with the Bears, catching 5 passes for 87 yards in two games before suffering an ankle injury.

Bob LeGere's picks

Saturday's game

-13½ Patriots 37, GIANTS 19

Sunday's games

+2 BEARS 23, Saints 20

-7½ EAGLES 27, Bills 16

-3 Panthers 20, BUCS 14

-3 Bengals 24, DOLPHINS 13

-9 REDSKINS 28, Cowboys 21

-4 PACKERS 27, Lions 20

+6½ Jaguars 30, TEXANS 13

-3 Steelers 24, RAVENS 9

+1½ Seahawks 27, FALCONS 17

-10 BROWNS 34, Niners 28

-3 Vikings 20, BRONCOS 13

-8 Chargers 30, RAIDERS 10

-6 CARDINALS 27, Rams 24

-6½ JETS 14, Chiefs 10

-6 Titans 23, COLTS 21

Last week: 11-5 straight up; 9-7 vs. the spread.

Season: 151-88 straight up; 105-126-8 vs. the spread.