For those of you pining for last year's utterly futile Bears offense...

Sproles appeared to step out of bounds at the 1 or 2. So, hold it. The Bears still might have a prayer. All touchdowns are supposed to be reviewed this season, and there’s no way someone with a television misses that. Fox Sports officiating expert Mike Pereira said the play should’ve been reviewed.

Nope. Wasn’t. Ballgame.

The Bears were beaten by the replay officials.

And the Saints.

And themselves.

Mostly themselves.

Their offense couldn’t make a big play. The defense couldn’t make a big play.

Perhaps the most disappointing part was the Bears’ response to pressure in an adverse environment. Or lack of response.

They had a chance to beat a good team on the road. They had a score they could work with. They needed to show poise and make plays. They couldn’t. They didn’t. They lost it when good teams win games. Blocking, coverage, understanding and executing assignments, sensible playcalling -- pffft.

Whatever hope you have for the Bears this season turns on games like this against opponents like the Saints. This explodes a lot of the optimism borne of the win over Atlanta a week earlier, especially on offense.

And now, here comes that Green Bay defense. Duck.