Bears administer jolly good thrashing to Bucs

The Bears nearly managed to blow it at the end (it was 21-5 at the half), but they hung on for a 24-18 victory over Tampa Bay at Wembley Stadium in London yestersday. Matt ("All Day") Forte rushed for 145 yards and a touchdown in becoming the first NFL player since 2004 to break the 1,000 yard barrier in the first seven games of the season. They're now 4-3.

But it's too early for delusions of competence for the Ursines. They get a week off to rest, and then meet the Eagles in Philadelphia before a game they're very much looking forward to: a rematch with the suddenly beatable Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.

Those two games will tell us a great deal. The Bears will probably have to win both to have a shot at the wild card (they're not going to catch the P__kers, I'm afraid).

In the meantime... BEAR DOWN!