(Sports Network) - The Chicago Bears have all but become the inverse of the Indianapolis Colts. The book on them has long read that they're defense is incredible and if they can just manage to find a sparkler's worth of firepower offensively, they can dominate their conference. After Sunday's 34-7 poaching of the Lions, it appears that they may have done just that. Chicago had 22 first downs and racked up 389 yards of offense in the win.

"One of the defensive guys said if we can put up 17 points, they feel good that they can win the game," said tight end Desmond Clark, who, against the Lions, had his best day since coming to Chicago. Clark caught five passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Bears fans have been crying for production from the tight end position since Mike Ditka left, and one insipid ball-control offense after another arrived. In recent years, the cries have been even louder for inspiring quarterback play.

As the Bears travel to the Metrodome to face their 2-0 NFC North competitor Minnesota Vikings, quarterback Rex Grossman is coming off a career-game in which he threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Any thoughts of Brian Griese and a quarterback controversy have screeched to a halt.

"We've had so much confidence in Rex, even when everybody was giving him such a hard time," said superstar defensive tackle Tommie Harris, who had two sacks against Detroit.

"Three weeks ago it was, 'Damn Rex,'" said Clark. "He was having a sub-par preseason, but he's a good quarterback, and right now he's a great quarterback - if he just keeps playing like he's playing right now, the sky's the limit for him."

The Bears have put up 60 points over their first two games and have done so without much of a rushing attack. Thomas Jones is averaging only 3.0 yards per carry, and Cedric Benson is producing just 2.8 yards per attempt.

But the passing game has picked up the slack (and used it to tie nooses for opposing defenses). Veteran wideout Muhsin Muhammad (10 receptions, 161 yards on the season) has been the big-bodied possession receiver that Ron Turner's offense relies on and, after catching five balls for 89 yards against Detroit, including an astounding 41-yard touchdown, third-year wideout Bernard Berrian is developing into a much-needed downfield threat for the Bears. Against the Packers, Berrian had just one catch, but it happened to be a 49-yard touchdown on Chicago's opening drive.

"We talked a lot about the second receiver stepping up," said Bears head coach Lovie Smith. "Two games and both times he's stepped up."

Chicago will likely need to revert back just a bit to their ball-control offense against the Vikings this Sunday. Minnesota's defense has been playing extremely well under first-year coordinator Mike Tomlin, and their aggressive pass-rush will pose more of a challenge than that of Green Bay and Detroit.

DEFENSE STILL SPECTACULAR

How often do we see teams explode offensively, only to nullify it by an inexplicable letdown on defense? Through the first two games, the Chicago's defense has held true to it's reputation of being the stingiest unit in the NFC. The Bears have allowed seven points, forced six turnovers, and given up only 512 yards, fifth-best in the NFL. Their nine sacks through two games are also tied for third-best in the NFL.

JOHN GILMORE TRIPLES CAREER TOUCHDOWN TOTAL

Tight end John Gilmore had caught just two passes over his previous three years in the NFL, and it took him 47 games to compile those two. It took the fifth-year pro just one game to match that total, as Gilmore had two receptions for eight yards against the Lions on Sunday. Even more impressive is that Gilmore, who had just one career touchdown coming into the game, registered 12 points on his two receptions, sending shockwaves through the free agent wires of fantasy football leagues nationwide.

WHO'S HOT

Because Rex Grossman and the receivers are actually getting the attention they deserve, we'll take this opportunity to point out that second-year kicker Robbie Gould is 6-for-6 on the year in field goals and had three touchbacks Sunday against the Lions. It was the first time in six years that a Chicago kicker has recorded three touchbacks in a game, presumably because it is one of the few times in six years that the Bears have actually kicked off three times in a game.

WHO'S NOT

Neither running back Thomas Jones nor Cedric Benson has gotten on track thus far. Jones ran hard against the Lions, but still has only 126 yards on 42 carries on the year. Benson's 21 rushing attempts have netted just 59 yards.

NEXT UP

The Bears face their first true test of the season when they travel to Minnesota to face the 2-0 Vikings.

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Andy Benoit is the author of Touchdown 2006: Everything You Need to Know About the NFL This Year. For more information or to contact Benoit, visit www.touchdown2006.com