Should Rex Grossman start learning the lyrics to the Bears' 1985 classic "Super Bowl Shuffle"? He should certainly give them a glance, and at the very least, maybe call Jim McMahon to find out where he got those sweet shades.
For the first time in 20 years, the Chicago Bears are 5-0. And for the first time since 1986, Da Bears may yet get another shot at doing the Super Bowl Shuffle, the ridiculous 80s rap song that included the likes of McMahon, Walter Payton and William "Refrigerator" Perry. But are this year's Bears truly the real deal?
Three of the five teams the Bears have beaten this season have losing records, with a combined 3-12 mark. Chicago barely came away with a win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, but their most impressive win came against the Seattle Seahawks in a 37-6 rout.
The team may very well be the best in the NFL, or at least the best in the NFC. With their traditionally dominating defense, the Bears are finally getting some support from a blistering offense that has averaged 31 points a game-more than even the Indianapolis Colts.
On Sunday, the Bears embarrassed the Buffalo Bills 40-7, amassing 351 total yards against a paltry 145 yards from the Buffalo offense. Rex Grossman threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-27 passing. With Cedric Benson rushing for his first two NFL touchdowns and the defense forcing five turnovers, including three interceptions by Bills quarterback J.P. Losman, the Bears can, at least temporarily, lay claim to being the best of the best.
The team has now won its first three home games by a combined score of 111-20. With games remaining against Miami, San Francisco and Arizona, the Bears' first real challenge will be on Nov. 26 when they play the New England Patriots. But after their dismantling of Seattle, the Bears' road to Super Bowl XLI looks clear. Let's just hope the only thing repeating itself this year is a Bears/Patriots match-up in Miami and not another music video.
While the Bears are on the top of the pack, the Colts are the worst of the best. While their record does stand at 5-0, it could easily be 2-3 after near losses against the New York Giants, the New York Jets and, mostly recently, barely getting by the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, 14-13.
The team has only won by an average of five points against their first five opponents this season, despite three of those teams holding sub-.500 records. Quarterback Peyton Manning has continued his dominance, however, posting big numbers with 62 percent completions for 1,278 yards, eight TDs and just two interceptions.
But for the Colts, this season has been all about matching their opponents rather than dominating them. The only reason the unimpressive defense has managed to avoid real embarrassment is because Manning, with his rocket arm, has responded every time and carried his team to victory.
Manning may be able to lead the Colts to the playoffs once again, but until they manage to flesh out a balanced squad like that of the Bears, Indianapolis might have a hard time getting by some of the AFC's more complete squads.
The big story of Sunday was the return of wide receiver Terrell Owens, as his Dallas Cowboys took on the Philadelphia Eagles. But as is often the case with T.O., it was little more than talk. Owens was a glorified non-factor, with three receptions for only 45 yards, as the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 38-24.
However, Owens has still defied all expectations by not publicly berating his quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who threw three interceptions on Sunday, including the one that ended a potentially game-tying drive in the final minutes.
