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Excuse me as I wake up from my long nap after a week, quite frankly, of mostly boring baseball and football games, as the Bears enjoyed a bye week and both the Cubs and White Sox traded in their bats and gloves for golf clubs and fishing rods.
Here's some quick hits from yours truly:
• The Minnesota Twins have earned the reputation as a fundamentally sound team, but two baserunning blunders cost the Twinkies prime opportunities to win games 2 and 3, with New York sweeping Minnesota 3-0 in the American League Divisional Series. Nick Punto was foolishly thrown out trying to scramble back to third base after an infield hit off the bat of Denard Span in the eighth inning of Game 3, with the Twins trailing only 2-1. Punto told the media after the game the roar of the crowd led him to believe the ball went to the outfield. Sorry Nick. Derek Jeter gloved it, threw home, then catcher Jorge Posada gunned it to 3B Alex Rodriguez, who slapped the tag on Punto. So instead of runners on first and third with nobody out, now it was runner on first and one out. Minnesota would not score, and the Yankees went on to win 4-1. In Game 2, Carlos Gomez slipped aggressively rounding second base on a hit that would have plated a run. But instead of at least getting in a rundown to make sure the run did score, Gomez was easily tagged out by Jeter. If that run scored, Minnesota might have won the game in regulation instead of losing in extra innings. So Minnesota's reputation under Manager Ron Gardenhire of a team that grinds its way to the playoffs, then quickly folds in postseason against the big boys continues.
• One team that did change its playoff reputation was Anaheim. The Angels had lost three ALDS series to Boston since 2004, but that changed with a convincing sweep of the Red Sox. Anaheim starting pitchers John Lackey and Jared Weaver dominated Boston in the first two games of the series. Boston appeared to have Game 3 in good shape with a 6-4 lead entering the ninth. But shutdown closer Jonathan Paplebon didn't have it on this day, yielding three in the ninth for a quick Boston exit from the playoffs. There's even speculation Paplebon could be replaced by Daniel Bard as the Red Sox closer next season.
• Will this be it for Tony LaRussa as manager in St. Louis? That decision could be made in the next few days as the longtime Cardinals skipper meets with upper management to decide his future. A season that appeared so promising for the Redbirds quickly slid down the wrong path with the team stumbling into the playoffs and then being swept by Los Angeles in the National League Division Series. I wouldn't be surprised if LaRussa left, took a year off, then returned to managing somewhere else.
• A great sign for Philadelphia was closer Brad Lidge saving a one-run game early Monday morning, giving the Phillies a 2-1 advantage heading into Game 4 in Colorado later today. Lidge has blown an alarming 11 saves this season, but if he returns to his form of last season, when he did not blow a single save, Philadelphia has an excellent opportunity to repeat as World Series champs.    
• OK Bears fans, does that Atlanta 45, San Francisco 10 score have you a little more concerned about Sunday evening's game? It certainly has my full attention. Of course, most of us still have last season's game at Atlanta on the mind as well. Bears grab a two-point lead on a Kyle Orton touchdown pass in the final seconds. But a poorly executed squib kick, followed up by inexcusably allowing Falcons QB Matt Ryan to complete a long pass, and the receiver getting out of bounds before the clock runs out, allows Atlanta to make a game-winning FG.
• And speaking of Orton, he has led Denver to a 5-0 start after a turbulent offseason that had most prognosticators wondering if the Broncos could win five games all season. Orton doesn't have the talent of a Jay Cutler, or the other elite quarterbacks in the league, but the guy keeps winning. Of course, a much-improved defense and running game have helped, but his knack for winning games cannot be overlooked.

- Tom

Now it's on to Monday night, and a big NFC North showdown between 3-0 Minnesota and 2-1 Green Bay at the Metrodome. Probably have to pull for the Pack to force a three-way tie at 3-1. But you know Minnesota Quarterback Brett Favre wants this one bad, contrary to what he's said, to stick it to the Packers.

Back for a little more analysis. Chicago scored 48 points, despite being outgained 398 yards to 276. Only possessed the ball for 23 minutes. But won going away. So what happened? Big plays. Forte started it off with a 61-yard jaunt to set up Chicago's first score. Then he scampered 37 yards in the fourth quarter for a touchdown. Rookie Knox electrified the Soldier Field crowd with his kickoff return for a score. An interception from Harris, and fumble recovery from Ogunleye also gave the Bears short fields for more points.

After Stafford shredded the Bears in the first half, Chicago did play better in the second half.

Game over. Bears win 48-24. Chicago is 3-1 with a bye next Sunday. Two tough road tests follow at Atlanta and at Cincinnati. Stafford and Johnson had big games for Detroit, but the running game was shutdown. Cutler only threw for 141 yards, but had a pair of touchdown passes. Forte did have 121 yards rushing. Hope everyone enjoyed today's blog, and look forward to the Atlanta game on Oct. 18. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m.

Wolfe scores a rushing touchdown for the Bears in garbage time. PAT good. 48 points!!! 48-24 with 1:57 left.

The last two times the Bears have started a season 3-1, in 2001 and 2006, they won division titles. That's a good omen.

Culpepper in the game at quarterback for Detroit. Stafford suffered a knee injury. He had passed for 298 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Pretty impressive stats for a rookie making his fourth start. Bears hold on downs.

Danieal Manning returns the kickoff near midfield for Chicago. Stafford appears to have injured a leg on the sack. Backup Daunte Culpepper is warming up on the sideline. Cutler completes pass for a first down at the Detroit 37. Timeout called. Forte runs it 37 yards down the left sideline. Touchdown Bears!!! PAT good. 41-24 Bears with 6:46 left in the game. It wasn't ball control. But it was a good running play.

Lions have their best drive going in the second half. At the Chicago 35 with 11 minutes remaining. Pettigrew makes catch to the Chicago 11. Big sack on 3rd and goal by Ogunleye stalls the Detroit drive. Jason Hanson kicks a 35-yard field goal. Bears lead 34-24. That was a big stop because it is still a two-score game. Again, I ask for some ball control offense.

Detroit offense has lost confidence. Another three and out. The Bears also go three and out as the 3rd quarter comes to a close. Chicago leads 34-21.

Stafford fumbles, Bears recover at Detroit 19. One positive for the Bears is they are 2-0 now in the turnover battle. Israel Idonije stripped it, and Adewale Ogunleye recovered. Forte runs for a first down. Cutler stumbles on a third down before he could hand off to Forte. Gould makes a 22-yard FG. Bears up 34-21 with 2:33 left in the third quarter. Forte had a few decent runs in the Red Zone, but this team still needs work on the run game, which ranked next to last in the NFL at 2.8 yards per attempt before this game.

Bears D gets another three and out. Will take possession at its own 48. It's rather obvious the Lions pitiful job of covering kicks has sabotaged the rest of the team's efforts to win. The offense has sputtered in the third quarter. Once again I am asking the for Chicago offense to control the clock with the run and a short pass game. Let's see if it works. No, it doesn't!  Forte rushes for no gain, an incomplete pass and a Cutler scramble comes up short. Maynard punt does put Detroit back to its 17. It's shaping up to be an ugly win, but I don't count out Detroit just yet.

Detroit holds Chicago. Gould to attempt 52-yard FG. And he hooked in perfectly from right to left. Impressive kick. Chicago up 31-21. The offense has not been spot on. The defense has yielded chunks of yardage several times. But Chicago has a 10-point lead with 10:18 left in the third quarter.

Wow, what a way to start the 3rd quarter! Johnny Knox with a 102-yard kick return for a touchdown. PAT good. 28-21 Bears just 12 seconds gone in the second half. Hester is out for the remainder of the game with a shoulder injury. Bears get a much-needed 3 and out. Bennett returns punt to Detroit 38. Special teams playing a big role in Chicago having the lead.

Detroit kicks ball out of bounds. Bears get ball at their own 40, but cannot get into field-goal range. Halftime score: Bears 21, Detroit 21. Analysis: The Bears must tighten up the defense, especially against Stafford and the pass game. Forte's one long run makes the running numbers look good, but the Bears need to control the ball more, and make some first downs running to limit Detroit's opportunities in the second half. Be back with you at the start of the third quarter.

Big completion from Stafford to Johnson to get Lions out of the hole. Johnson has more than 100 yards receiving in the first half. Stafford scrambles for another first down into Chicago territory. Brandon Pettigrew gashes the Bears on a tight-end screen for 28 yards to the Chicago 15. Another first down by Pettigrew at the Chicago 3. Next play, touchdown run, Kevin Smith. PAT good. 21-21 with 26 seconds remaining in the half. This 98-yard drive makes me remember games in the past few seasons when the Bears have been chopped up on defense for big yards and points.

It's Garrett Wolfe time again. A 2-yard run from the Northern Illinois product. Cutler fumbles, but Bears recover. Bears don't convert a 3rd and 26, with Wolfe picking up 12 on a screen pass. Maynard punts it down to the Detroit 2.

Bears hold Detroit after one first down. Chicago is bringing more pressure, and forcing Stafford to get rid of the ball quicker. Bennett replaced Hester as punt returner, and had a good one, to the Chicago 40. Am I the only one scratching my head and wondering where has Bennett come from? He had 0 catches and barely saw the field last year as a rookie. Now, he's playing like the 3rd round draft choice he was in 2008.

Stafford obviously didn't see Harris when attempting the screen pass. Now, the Bears are finally playing from ahead in the first half of a game this season. Hester heading to locker room.

Stafford is picked off by defensive tackle Tommie Harris. Bears have the ball at the Detroit 8. Lions hold. But Detroit is offside on FG attempt, moving the ball to the 1 1/2-yard line. Chicago goes for it on 4th down. Cutler hits TE Greg Olsen for a touchdown. PAT good. 21-14 Bears. Could we see a 40-point plus game for Chicago?

Cutler TD pass to Kellen Davis. PAT good. Score tied at 14 in the opening minute of the 2nd quarter. Bears offense at the all-the-yards-you-can-gain buffet.

Zack Bowman called for interference, letting Detroit off the hook. Bowman, a cornerback, has also been burned on some first-quarter pass plays. Alex Brown sack forces Detroit punt. Devin Hester returns punt to Detroit 35. Great catch by Earl Bennett down to the Lions 10. End of the first quarter. Detroit 14, Chicago 7.

Knox with a good kickoff return to Chicago 41. Three and out for Chicago. Maynard punt pins Detroit back to its 6.

Good answer by the offense. Now the Chicago defense must show up. Detroit converts after being 1st and 25. Bears pash rush is non-existent, and the Lions are taking advantage, driving deep into Chicago territory. Stafford drills a TD pass to TE Will Heller. PAT good. 14-7 Detroit with 5:03 remaining in 1st quarter.

Bears start drive from their own 27. Forte runs it 61 yards to the Detroit 5!!! Cutler dives into the endzone, touchdown Bears!!! PAT good. 7-7 with 8:51 left in first quarter. First Bears points in first quarter this season.

So much for the playing from ahead prediction for the Bears. It was a gift-wrapped TD for Detroit.

Lions get the ball first. Will start drive at their own 27. Calvin Johnson makes 54-yard reception on first play from scrimmage. Bears offside on Detroit FG attempt, extends drive for Lions. Detroit QB Matthew Stafford missed wide-open Johnson in endzone. Questionable facemask penalty on Chicago, first and goal for Detroit. Kevin Smith runs in a touchdown for the Lions. PAT good. Detroit ahead 7-0 with 10:50 left in the first quarter.

Just about ready for the game to start. Another thing to watch during the game. How well reserve linebackers Nick Roach and Jamar Williams perform for the Bears.

Once again there are concerns about the Chicago running game. Once again here's another opportunity to get it going. If the passing game puts Chicago ahead early, then the Bears can run the ball more effectively in the second half while bleeding the clock.

Welcome everyone to today's Lions vs. Bears live blog. Chicago looks to improve to 3-1 before enjoying its bye next Sunday.  

After failing to get off to a good start against a banged up Seattle team last week, I predict the Bears do roll early against Detroit, and for the first time this season will play most of the game from ahead.

I know Detroit broke its long losing streak last Sunday against Washington, but they are still a bad football team.

My prediction: Bears 27, Lions 17.

- Tom