This could be scary, the Chicago Bears suddenly having an offense.
Last season, they won 11 games and the NFC North thanks to their defense, which allowed the fewest points and the second-fewest yards in the league. Offense? The Bears failed to score at least 14 points in half their games.
But look at the Bears now. They scored 26 last week in a shutout of the Packers, and yesterday tallied more points (24) in the first half of a 34-7 defeat of the Lions than they managed in 13 different games a year ago. And it wasn't as if they were playing scrubs yesterday. Last week, Detroit held Seattle, the league's highest-scoring team in 2005, to three field goals.
What gives? First, it's the play of quarterback Rex Grossman, who missed most of last season because of an ankle injury. He was considered the savior when he returned late last year to replace struggling rookie Kyle Orton, but fans quickly turned on him this preseason when he completed only 51.9 percent of his passes and threw twice as many interceptions (two) as touchdown passes.
The cry went out for backup Brian Griese, who was 19-of-28 (67.9 percent) for 292 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in the preseason. As the saying goes, the most popular player on any team is the backup quarterback. But coach Lovie Smith stuck with Grossman, and he has rewarded the Bears with a brilliant start.
Through two games, Grossman has completed 72 percent of his passes for 551 yards and five touchdowns, with one interception. Against the Lions, the drive chart read touchdown, field goal, touchdown, touchdown during one first-half sequence.
Oh, and don't think the Bears have forgotten how to play defense. The unit has allowed seven points through two games.
Signs of progress
After being drafted first overall last year, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (Helix High) was called a bust by people around the country and some in the Bay Area. He started seven games and had a turnover in each. Overall he threw 11 interceptions against one touchdown, which came in the final game.
But look at Smith this season. With upgrades at the skill positions, as well as on the line, Smith has yet to commit a turnover in two games, completing 34-of-62 passes for 521 yards and two touchdowns.
“He made a great throw on the 72-yarder,” offensive coordinator Norv Turner said last night, referring to the touchdown toss to Antonio Bryant that broke a 10-10 tie against the Rams in the third quarter and put the 49ers ahead for good. “He has really played good. We've had one sack in two games, and he hasn't had a turnover. That's where you start with young guys. He's managing games. Heck, we had a chance to win last week (against Arizona).”
Getting the boot?
Michael Koenen was being called “triple threat” around the Falcons' complex because he became the first kicker since 1981 to handle field goals, kickoffs and punts for a team. He soon may have to change his moniker to “double threat” after missing four field-goal attempts yesterday against Tampa Bay, all from 40 yards or closer.
He was wide right from 30, wide left from 36 and 40 and had a 30-yard attempt blocked. Koenen, who has never been a full-time place-kicker in the NFL, earned that duty after going 8-for-8 in the preseason. But he's only 2-for-8 in the regular season.
Critical comeback
The NFL is never short on hyperbole, but it's not a stretch to say the Giants may have saved their season with a 30-24 overtime win at Philadelphia.
New York was down 24-7 in the fourth quarter and had been outgained 406-110 in total yards at one point. With a loss last week to Indianapolis in their opener and with their next four games at Seattle, vs. Washington and at Atlanta and Dallas, it was essential that the Giants beat the Eagles, who were looking to go to 2-0.
Jim Trotter: (619) 293-1859; jim.trotter@uniontrib.com
