Although the offense has been shockingly good, producing a league-high 172 points, the defense has played up to expectations. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and defensive tackle Tommie Harris have been ferocious and the Bears have given up just 69 points.

This year’s team is playing for a place in history in addition to a championship.

Their schedule is butter-soft. After beating the Cardinals, the Bears walloped San Francisco and should beat Miami in Week 9.

A three-game road trip follows with games against the Giants, Jets and Pats. If they can survive their weekend in Foxboro, the only potential pitfall is a Week 14 Monday night game against overachieving St. Louis.

But it’s the game at New England that represents the biggest test in what may be the only game that the Bears come in as point-spread underdogs. Bill Belichick is bound to come up with a confounding defensive strategy to annoy Grossman, but the quarterback has shown the ability to adapt this season and make big plays when the Bears need them. Neither the Bears’ coaches nor Grossman’s teammates believe the quarterback will be intimidated.

That should give the Bears a very good chance at going — gasp! — undefeated. Somewhere Nick Buoniconti, Larry Csonka and Bob Griese — the father of Chicago backup quarterback Brian Griese — are starting to fret. Those ancient Dolphins have made a habit of popping the champagne every year when the last undefeated team loses for the first time.

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures A kayaker flips out, a racehorse eyes the Triple Crown and more. more photos

They may be left holding their bottles all season long. Those immature codgers should feel free to drown their crocodile tears with that warm swill. They deserve nothing more.