Injuries have dominated the conversation surrounding the Chicago Bears since their hold on for dear life victory over the Giants at Soldier Field. They have not been a good defensive club and, as expected, their offense has yet to put together four consistent quarters of football. So…

Why do I like the Chicago Bears this week?

I always like the Chicago Bears.

BUT WHAT FOOTBALL REASONS, JEFF?

• Washington’s defense is 27th against the run, 24th against the pass and are allowing 28.6 points per game. This has to be considered the most disappointing unit of the 2013 season. We can go into all the details imaginable but the Bears have no excuse not scoring between 28-35 points at a minimum. That is what a good offense does against these Redskins.
• Robert Griffin isn’t right. He is tentative stepping up into pressure and delivering the ball down the field. He has lost his acceleration as a runner. You beat this Bears defense, even in current form, with accuracy and patience. You have to be willing to stand in and take the 7-10 yard throws over the course of a ten-play drive. Is Griffin currently that player? He hasn’t been in 2013.
• Washington enters Sunday coming off an emotional, lifeless loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The only thing keeping them out of last place is the existence of the New York Giants. Chicago enters Sunday off ten days rest and a chance to get a starting corner and defensive tackle back on the field. They are tied for first. If Washington punches early, I think the Bears have the motivation to fight back. If Chicago punches early, I question whether Washington does.

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Yes I am spending a third day at the DBB focused on the piece I wrote Monday regarding Brandon Marshall’s green cleats, the NFL fine and the league’s embarrassing mental health record. If you haven’t had an opportunity to read a rare piece of journalism from this part of the internet world, please CLICK HERE and do so.

Why a third day? Because I believe it wrong to succumb to the 24-hour news cycle and let a piece I am proud of and truly believe in be swept into the “yesterday’s news” category. And the responses I’ve received from a wide range of individuals leads to believe the column had a nice impact. So, really, what’s one more day? Could I really make a larger impact with this week’s installment of Audibles From the Long Snapper? (This week’s game preview will be posted first thing Thursday morning.)

Responses have been wonderful and what follows are some of the responses I’ve personally received. Please feel free to send along yours to jeff@dabearsblog.com.

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Yesterday in my column about about the NFL fining Brandon Marshall, I wrote:

What if the word concussion did not exist? What if the NFL was forced to label the injuries sustained in football games as what they are: traumatic brain injuries. Would there be traumatic brain injury-related symptoms? Would they put traumatic brain injury in parentheses like hip or ankle?

Limited: Matthew Stafford (Traumatic Brain Injury)

Last year I did an interview with Cameron Worrell that I hadn’t intended as a discussion on concussions. But that’s where the conversation went. What he revealed was quite frightening and I think it is a perfect addendum to yesterday’s piece.

Three things that need to happen for….

BROWNS OVER LIONS

• Even if Calvin Johnson does play he is sure to be limited with injury and Matthew Stafford looked like a shell of himself without the best receiver in football on the field. If the Browns can get some consistent pressure they can control the pace of the game.
• Brandon Weeden (sound it out) can’t have one of those Brandon Weeden games and throw the ball to the Lions three times. Use Willis McGahee, use the screen game and Jordan Cameron, Jordan Cameron, Jordan Cameron.
• Cleveland’s had a top ten defense against the run this year, allowing less than a hundred yard a game. That must continue. If the Lions start gashing the Brown in the run game Stafford won’t need Johnson to move the ball through the air.

RAVENS OVER PACKERS

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