Bears coach Lovie Smith doesn't crow often, but he earned the right Monday night.
After the Bears got off the mat in the second half and rallied for a 30-24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday Night Football, Smith couldn't help but note that the Bears not only won, they covered.
''We have great leadership,'' Smith said when asked about the character his team showed. ''We have a lot of guys that have been around here for awhile. They've been in those situations. They know it's a 60-minute game and you just have to stay the course.
''When you're a good football team, you have to do those things and I think we're a good football team. Not getting a whole lot of respect. When you go on the road, the Chicago Bears shouldn't be an eight-point underdog. Our guys took notice of that.''
And Smith also took note that Bears receivers Earl Bennett (five receptions, 95 yards, one touchdown), Roy Williams (3-46), Johnny Knox (1-14) and Devin Hester (1-12) had a combined 10 catches for 167 yards and a touchdowns. They statistically outplayed the Eagles' more heralded receiving crew. Jeremy Maclin (4-63) and DeSean Jackson (2-16) were the only wide receivers to make at least one catch.
''Going into the game, our receivers were tired of hearing about their receivers and felt like they needed to do something about it,'' Smith said. ''It's good getting Earl Bennett back. He's a good football player. He gave us a boost.''
Maybe it is just a matter of words, but I like it when Lovie chooses to say the Chicago Bears shouldn't be an eight point underdog when going on the road. How much weaker had he merely said we shouldn't be an eight point underdog.