Yea, the Colts couldn't get it done against the Chargers, even if it was on the road. But why should an 8-8 team like San Diego get to host a playoff game?

I don't care if the Chargers are division winners. That's just lame.

And hey, the Falcons were upset by the Cardinals. Some guys were talking around the office about the Bears' gut-wrenching loss to Atlanta earlier this year (one of the games they blew at the end). I told them to look at it this way: The Falcons saved the Bears from the embarrassment of losing to the Cards themselves.

At least these Saturday games were pretty competitive. That made them more worthwhile than just about the entire college bowl season.

The Bears are unlikely to make the playoffs, but the Packers are certain to miss them. It's been a rough season in Green Bay, and I don't know if this makes it better or worse.

It's going to be winter in Chicago on Sunday when the Bears host the Jaguars. That may give the Bears an edge, but I don't know. It looks to me like the Jags have pretty much quit, so an assist from the weather might not be necessary.

Speaking of someone who should have quit....

Not only is this guy watching a Bears game in the snow, but he's wearing a Cade McNown jersey.

That towel -- or whatever it is he's swinging around -- was probably frozen solid after catching all of his tears.

What's in the water down there in Austin, Texas?

First there was Ricky Williams going from stud running back in college to pot smoking has-been in the pros. Then Cedric Benson followed a somewhat similar path, going from standout running back to full-blown disaster here in Chicago. Now, Vince Young goes from being the hero of the Horns' national championship a few years back to being a mental mess with the Titans.

Off the top of my head I can't think of too many Texas products who have struck it big in the pros lately. So remind me to never let my future kid go play football for Mack Brown and the Longhorns. That is, unless I want that kid to some day get wrapped up in some bizarre episode off the field.

By Chris Pummer
Staff Writer

The great NFL quarterback class of 1999 lost another member with Daunte Culpepper deciding to hang it up.

Of course everyone uses the word "great" with sarcasm because of the five QBs picked in the first round, only Culpepper and Donovan McNabb had nice careers. So it was a fine collection of busts, including the bozo the Bears took with the 12th overall pick.

Now only McNabb is still playing.

Here's how these guys stacked up in their careers:

And if you want to add it to the stat line, McNown also stole Couch's girlfriend. Just one of the little things that don't show up in the box score.

By Chris Pummer
Staff Writer

So Kyle Orton will open the season as the Bears starting quarterback. Rex Grossman is still around and Caleb Hanie will stick around as the third-stringer.

While that's the current pecking order, the Bears probably need to keep searching. Here's a look at some of the options that are out there:

Gary Busey

Pros: After watching his fight scene with Mel Gibson in the movie Lethal Weapon, Bears QB coach Pep Hamilton thinks Busey has the footwork to escape from the pocket. That's a big plus behind this Bears offensive line. Busey also demonstrated leadership skills when he was on Celebrity Fit Club 2.

Cons: Long philosophical deliberations could keep Busey from making quick decisions when faced with pressure from blitzing teams. Vocal, long-winded leadership style could wear thin in the locker room.

Bozo the Clown

Pros: As a clown, he'd fit in with a lot of guys the Bears have put under center since Sid Luckman hung it up. A beloved Chicago icon, he wouldn't be booed until at least his third interception.

Cons: Easily sacked by defenders, in part because of oversized shoes. And he's dead.

Carlos Zambrano

Pros: Has the height (6-foot-5) and arm strength you want to see from a QB. Pitches with a football player's mentality. Maybe that would translate over to an actual football field. And one-time pitcher Chad Hutchinson worked out so .... uhhh.. move that down to the con side.

Cons: Not available to play for the Bears until the Cubs' season is over. Even if the Cubs miss the playoffs, the Bears might be finished by October, too.

By Andy Rohr
Staff Writer

I write this smack dab in the middle of the Bears shootout with the 49ers on Thursday. Currently, the Kyle Orton-Rashied Davis duo has combined for a pair of scores and probably will encourage some fools out there to spend $60 on a replica Bears jersey with an 18 on the back. I'm not drinking the Kool-Aid. Spurred on by the predictions of Erik Jacobsen, here are my game-by-game predictions.

Sun 9/7 at Indianapolis
L 31-17

Sun 9/14 at Carolina
L 23-19

Sun 9/21 vs. Tampa Bay
W 24-10

Sun 9/28 vs. Philadelphia
L 20-17

Sun 10/5 at Detroit
L 34-20

Sun 10/12 at Atlanta
W 13-10

Sun 10/19 vs. Minnesota
L 24-13

bye

Sun 11/2 vs. Detroit
W 24-17

Sun 11/9 vs. Tennessee
W 23-21

Sun 11/16 at Green Bay
L 38-13

Sun 11/23 at St. Louis
L 19-14

Sun 11/30 at Minnesota
L 35-27

Sun 12/7 vs. Jacksonville
L 34-19

Thu 12/11 vs. New Orleans
L 26-24

Mon 12/22 vs. Green Bay
W 27-17

Sun 12/28 at Houston
L 13-9

Final Record: 5-11