Bears and Magpies

I have to be honest - I can't remember the last time the Bears lost and the Magpies won in the same day. Usually they both lose - and somehow, the Cubs, Bulls, and Blackhawks also lose on the same day. That's just how my life goes. But today, keeping up their streak of clean sheets (almost 500 minutes now without conceding a goal), Newcastle United, looking very - refreshing? - in their custard and cream striped away kit, struck again to go top of the table in the Championship with a 2-point cushion. Mr. Soul Glow himself, Fabricio Coloccini scored his first goal as a Magpie to win the match 1-0. Today we beat a VERY good Cardiff side at their home ground, which I predicted to be our toughest match of the season. Speaking by the numbers, I was wrong - the toughest match is West Brom away - the only match we haven't taken maximum points from. So, these two matches (Cardiff and West Brom away) being in the books, I have to say that after just 6 matches, the most difficult part of our schedule is behind us, and no one would have expected the position we'd be in at the moment.

Now for the Bears. Unfortunately I'm writing this post at 10:54 CST, minutes after a crushing defeat to a Packers team that was, let's face it, just a lot better than we were. Cutler looked bad at first glance, but in truth it was his receivers that must shoulder most of the blame. We need to do something about that - but honestly, the game was had in every department, by the Packers. We weren't good enough in the secondary, our coaching staff called some howlers, Forte couldn't get going although he showed some good spots, obviously our receivers, even the LONG SNAPPER had an off day. Really the only good aspect of this game was our defensive line - if only Miranelli could do for our O-Line what he is doing for our D-Line, then we might have something going for us. To win this division - which I still think is possible - we need to really put some stuff together and get our minds in position to play at this level. Tonight we looked like a bunch of children on the field.