The Bears have been pretty good, probably better than most expected.
But remaining as good as they have been won't be good enough.
As the season moves on and the stakes get higher, the challenges will be steeper, and obstacles are sure to be placed in their path.
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VOTE: How far will Bears go this season?
How far will the Bears go this season?
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Super Bowl (787 responses)
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NFC title game (467 responses)
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Divisional round of playoffs (306 responses)
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Wild card round of playoffs (116 responses)
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Miss playoffs (62 responses)
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Defense opening some eyes
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Turnovers set table for success
- Devin Hester
- Football
- Lovie Smith
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So they need to rise above what they have been through five games.
Here are some ways the Bears can get better.
• Get Devin Hester more punt return chances.
If there is a downside to having a league-leading 17 takeaways, it is that Devin Hester has been denied some punt return opportunities. He has only 11 punt returns, and only one of those has gone for 20 yards or more.
Opponents have dropped 10 punts inside the Bears' 20 — only four teams have seen more. If the Bears defense can force more punts before the opponent gets to midfield, Hester should have more viable return chances.
Hester has had a couple of prime return opportunities, in which Bears blockers all were on their men. But Hester has not broken one for a variety of reasons.
His average punt return of 7.8 yards is way below his average of 16.2 last season and his career average of 12.6.
But the longer the Bears look mediocre in the return game, the better the chances opponents will treat Hester like they treat other returners.
That will mean more opportunities.
"If there is an area we need to improve on, it's our return game," Bears coach Lovie Smith said.
• Stay the course on the offensive line.
In each of the last two seasons, the line started to come together in the fifth game. This year, the line is already ahead of where it was early in 2010 and 2011. But it has the same kind of potential to take another step.
J'Marcus Webb has settled down after a rough start. Chilo Rachal has been an improvement at left guard, and he and Webb have worked together well. Gabe Carimi clearly is moving better than he was earlier in the year, though he had some technique lapses against the Jaguars.
Now the Bears just need to let the offensive linemen continue to jell, and more improvement should be forthcoming.
• Add an extra offensive dimension with the return of Evan Rodriguez.
The fullback/H-back/tight end was helping the running game with his blocking before injuring his knee in the third game of the season. He is expected to return next Monday against the Lions.
Rodriguez has not been a factor in the passing game. But it was his ability as a receiver that led the Bears to draft him in the fourth round in April.
