The Associated Press

Olin Kreutz and his Bears teammates lost to the Packers in their home opener Monday. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears had two weeks to work out their problems before they welcomed the Green Bay Packers for a swanky open-house bash.

Too bad that extra time didn't help. Nor did the electric atmosphere of the new Solider Field.

No, the Bears looked like their same old bad selves in a 38-23 loss to the Packers on Monday night.

"The stage was set," Bears coach Dick Jauron said Tuesday. "I thought the stadium was unbelievable. I thought the crowd was unbelievable in terms of support when we gave them something to support. And it was a beautiful night; even the weather cooperated.

"We just didn't get it done on the football field."

So the Bears are faced with a familiar question: What now?

The Bears (0-3) are struggling everywhere. Offense. Defense. Even the kicking game needs work, with a blocked or deflected punt in every game so far.

On Monday, fans were booing even before the first quarter was over as the Bears fell behind 17-0.

The defense is supposed to be Chicago's strength, with linebacker Brian Urlacher leading the way. But the Bears have given up almost 400 yards of offense in each of their first three games.

On Monday, Ahman Green ran for 176 yards and two touchdowns on only 19 carries, and he made Chicago look downright silly on his first scoring run.

Just three minutes into the game, he faked left on cornerback Jerry Azumah, juked right and sprinted 60 yards for a score.

Brett Favre has a long history of tormenting the Bears, and Monday night was no different. He was 21-of-30 for 179 yards and three touchdowns and had what seemed like hours to throw.

"We're prepared to play, we just don't," Urlacher said. "We go out there and make screwups."

PANTHERS: Carolina signed Kris Jenkins to a five-year, $31 million contract extension that locks up the team's starting defensive line through at least 2007.

Jenkins, an All-Pro defensive tackle, received a $9.175 million signing bonus in the deal that keeps him in Carolina, whose defense ranked second in the NFL last season, through 2009.

Defensive end Julius Peppers, the other cornerstone, is signed through 2008. Defensive end Mike Rucker and defensive tackle Brentson Buckner are signed through 2007.

Jenkins ranked third among NFC defensive tackles last season with a career-high seven sacks. He also had 60 tackles.

EAGLES: Donovan McNabb has been to three straight Pro Bowls and two consecutive NFC championship games.

Still, commentator Rush Limbaugh questions his credentials.

Before McNabb led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 23-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills, Limbaugh said on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown that McNabb is overrated.

"I don't think he's been that good from the get-go," Limbaugh said. "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

An ESPN spokesman said Tuesday that Limbaugh doesn't do interviews and added that he didn't think the comments were racially biased.

"He was comparing McNabb's performance on the field to his reputation in the media," Dave Nagle said.

McNabb got off to the worst start of his career this season and was the NFL's lowest-rated starting quarterback after losses to Tampa Bay and New England. Still, the Eagles are 36-22 in games he started.

"It's sad that you've got to go to skin color. I thought we were through with that whole deal," McNabb told the Philadelphia Daily News

TRADE: The Cowboys traded receiver-kick returner Reggie Swinton to the Packers for a conditional draft pick. Swinton averaged 21.7 yards on three kicks this season.

CHIEFS: For the third straight time, 5-foot-8 return specialist Dante Hall was named the AFC's special teams player of the week. In a victory over Baltimore on Sunday, Hall had a return for a touchdown for the third week in a row.

Return to Bengals front page...