Bears Gain Respect, Have Eye On Ultimate Prize
LAKE FOREST (CBS) -- After a big victory over the Eagles and winning four straight, the Bears are finally getting respect.
So do they think they could win it all?
CBS 2's Megan Mawicke reports, Jay Cutler thinks so.
"I think you have to believe that. If you don't, there's no use playing right now," said Cutler, who had his best game of his career last Sunday against Philadelphia with a 146.2 rating.
Now the Bears turn their attention to not just getting to the ultimate NFL stage--Super Bowl XLV in Cowboy Stadium--but winning it all.
"No question we want to end up in Dallas this year. Just getting there is not enough because we've been there. We want to get the ring," said Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije.
This team is starting to draw comparisons to the 2006 Super Bowl team. Do they see it?
"No. We are a different team, but we have the same kind of energy and feel around here. Guys are excited, working hard, and there is some rumbling around the city, so it feels good," Idonije said.
Defeating the Eagles felt good, but the Bears aren't satisfied.
"I think the team is excited. Everybody has their feet back on the ground now. You can tell what it meant to the team and how excited everyone was," Cutler said.
Cutler acknowledges there is a lot of football to be played.
"I think in the back of everybody's minds we get a little respect by beating a team like that but like other guys said we're far from finished."
Bears safety Chris Harris said: "We are only getting better as a team. We are progressing offensively, defensively and special teams so we see that building week in and week out. We believe since week one when we started the season."
All three phases--offense, defense and special teams--are clicking right now. Julius Peppers was named the defensive player of the month. Cutler was named the offensive player of the week. It's the most balance seen from the Bears in a long time.
