I haven’t had the chance to talk about the Bears in a couple of weeks now, and in some ways I'm relieved. Their performance on Monday Night Football marked the first time I've turned off a game before it was over since I don't know when. Their performance this past Sunday was much better, but I'm not convinced that it's enough to claim the season we've been looking for.

Frankly, I was almost embarrassed to wear my Bears hat last week after they were completely manhandled by Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers. Kaepernick came into the game basically as a rookie, having played just a few downs last season. In his first professional start, he made the top-rated Bears defense look like a junior varsity football team. Kaepernick since earned the starting slot for the ’Niners after unloading 243 yards and two touchdowns to beat the Bears 32-7.

Now compare that to Chicago's second-stringer Jason Campbell, who just so happens to be the highest paid backup quarterback in the NFL. Campbell was sacked six times, threw two interceptions and scored a single touchdown only after a saving-grace penalty in his favor. Too bad Colin Kaepernick wasn't around when the Bears were looking for a new a backup QB.

But with that loss to San Fran, not a single person on the team could say he did his job. The six sacks Campbell suffered should help us all recognize a major problem: the offensive line.  The Bears deserve many fingers pointed in their direction, considering how much the team spent to get them there (I'm noticing a pattern here). It doesn't matter who you have playing quarterback, you have to have time to throw the ball.

After watching this past Sunday's outing against the Vikings, I am a bit more comfortable wearing the hat. Their performance was more on par with where it has been so far this season. Having Cutler back is undoubtedly a big help. But unfortunately, I'm still not completely confident with where the team stands at this point. 

Aside for their second match up against the division rival Packers coming up in week 15, they don't have any opponents that look too threatening. But it's not necessarily the other teams that worry me, it's the Bears that have me worried. If they want the sure-thing, the defense needs to go back to being the explosive scoring powerhouse it was through the earlier half of the season.

Not to mention, five players went out on injuries in the game against the Vikings, including “Peanut” Tillman and Matt Forte, who have both been key players all season. If they don't return to the field this Sunday, things could be troublesome for Chicago as they go head-to-head with the Seattle Seahawks. Hopefully they will, and hopefully they can continue turning things around from their loss in San Francisco. Things just wouldn't be the same without the Peanut Punch.

The Bears are 8-3, leading the NFC North, but let's not count our chickens before the eggs hatch. It’s time to step it up if we want to make it to the big game.