Is it time for Bears to get back to basics?

After feeding their first three opponents a steady diet of Matt Forte, the Bears discovered that opportunities in the passing game had opened up as a result of the attention the rookie running back attracted.

But now it's time to find out if the reverse is true.

Will Kyle Orton's 903 passing yards in the past three games open things up for Forte, who has averaged just 2.9 yards on 74 carries in the past four games?

Will the Bears get back to being a running football team after throwing 75 times in the past two games while running just 45 times? Will Forte get more than the 36 yards on 15 carries he had in the first game against the Lions in Week 5?

These and other questions will be answered in the rematch with the Lions at Soldier Field today starting at noon (Channel 32; WBBM 780-AM). The Bears' ultimate goal is balance, being able to run and throw effectively and then taking advantage of whatever the defense is susceptible to.

"That's critical," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "You've got to be able to do both. If you can only do one thing, the defense can take it away. You've got to be able to adjust and make plays. If they're determined to stop the run, you've got to be able to protect and make plays in the passing game. Once (we) do that, hopefully there will be some chances in the run game."

That would be great with Forte, who has contributed a team-high 29 receptions, including 23 in the past five games while waiting patiently for more running lanes to open up and for more opportunities to re-establish the ground game.

"It's always tough when they stack the box," Forte said, "but it's just a matter of a block here or breaking a tackle there. We were close to breaking one (last time against the Lions)."

Turner has been impressed with Forte's patience in the run game and with his ability to contribute in other aspects of the offense when opponents focus on denying the run.

"He's a very mature young man," Turner said. "He really is very intelligent, and he knows that it's going to come. He's been doing it long enough, and he's smart enough to know that. If you just keep doing it, just keep working, it's going to be there, and he is contributing in a lot of other ways."

The offensive line is anxious to assert itself in the run game, which has fallen to 17th in yards and 28th in average gain per carry after ranking 10th and 18th, respectively, just three weeks ago. As a team the Bears haven't rushed for 100 yards in a game since getting 158 vs. the Bucs in Week 3.

"We pride ourselves on running the ball, but we haven't done that the past few weeks," offensive left tackle John St. Clair said. "But at the same time, we've put up big numbers in the passing game. Kyle's done a great job when they've stacked the box. We just try to take what they give us, and I think we've been doing well with that."

Now the offense would like an opportunity to show what they can do with an opportunity to run the ball.

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