Emma: Finally, The Bears Showed Their Best Form
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The city skyline north of Solider Field was lit with Cubs blue and red, reminding that Monday Night Football was the secondary focus in the local sports scene.
Judging by the 7,532 empty seats inside the stadium, a Bears win wasn't expected -- certainly not a big one. They entered a fourth primetime game in eight weeks with a 1-6 record and had the first-place Vikings to deal with.
But on Halloween night, the Bears dressed up like a real football team. They dominated the Vikings from start to finish in a surprising 20-10 victory.
"That's what playing for each other looks like," Bears coach John Fox said.
Turmoil built for the Bears with a Sunday report that there's a clash between Fox and the front office. The team tabbed a consultant to review the situation, according to the NFL Network. Part of the discord centered around how Fox held out quarterback Jay Cutler in favor of backup Brian Hoyer.
Despite their record and distractions, the Bears played their best game of the season and beat down the Vikings on Monday. They racked up 402 yards of offense and averaged 6.6 yards per play against the NFL's top-ranked defense. When the game was won, Fox gave Cutler the game ball and was joined by general manager Ryan Pace in the locker room. Everybody was smiling.
"This is as unified of an organization and football team as I've ever been associated with," Fox said of the report, which he firmly denied.
The Bears could've completely crumbled Monday night, which would've been the reflection of the organizational state of affairs. Instead, they rallied together and played their best game.
Cutler was 20-of-31 for 252 yards and a touchdown, posting a 100.5 rating against the Vikings' vaunted defense. Rookie running back Jordan Howard ran for 153 yards and a touchdown, adding 49 receiving yards on four receptions. Alshon Jeffery finally scored his first touchdown of the season. All of this stemmed from a brilliant game called by offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.
Defensively, the Bears bullied the Vikings' troubled offensive line. They sacked quarterback Sam Bradford five times and kept him in check all game. Minnesota's ground game failed to get going.
"We just got to keep hunting," Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee said.
This is what the Bears were supposed to be at their best. They hadn't resembled anything close to this in starting 1-6.
When Pace put this team together, believing it best suited Fox's regime, the hope was for Cutler to thrive with playmakers around him and for the front seven to create steady pressure that brings out the defense's best.
Entering the 2016 season, it was feasible that the Bears could contend if their formula worked. They were expecting more games like this.
Now, the Bears head into their bye week at 2-6 and with something to build on.
"I hope it pisses everybody off," McPhee said. "That's what I hope. I hope it pisses everybody off and know we can dominate the league if we really put our mind to it. We just played a great team and we dominated them. So it's got to piss everybody off and say we shouldn't lose no more games to teams that we ain't got no business losing to."
Anger can come later. After Monday's victory, the Bears were feeling good. Finally, they played to their potential.
The Bears made a statement that there's more football to play and chances to find success this season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.