Even by definition of the rule, I’m still not sure Calvin Johnson’s touchdown should have been overturned.

One foot down.

Two feet down.

His backside was down.

Ball was in his hand the entire time.

Ball gets placed on the ground.

No touchdown.

Johnson did everything right on that fatal play outside of holding onto the ball long enough to have it constituted as “complete.” The official ruling was that Megatron didn’t maintain position throughout the entirety of the play, which resulted in a touchdown being wiped off the board and an eventual 19-14 win for the Bears. Again, even by definition of the rule I’m not sure Johnson’s TD shouldn’t have counted.

Furthermore, how does a touchdown count when the tip of the ball goes across the goal line when a back or QB is carrying it but not when Johnson makes a play like this? It doesn’t make any sense. Ball goes across the line when a back is carrying it into the end zone and it’s a done deal – TOUCHDOWN. Johnson gets two feet down, his ass down, his back down, both ears on the ground plus a tongue and it’s an incomplete pass.

But there’s nothing the Lions can do about it now. Game over, sorry about your luck.

The real story here is how the Bears, a team that many consider to be a sleeper in the NFC after all the moves they made this offseason, managed to beat a proverbial last place team by only five points when their starting quarterback didn’t even play the second half. The real story is how the Bears now-explosive Mike Martz-led offense could only muster 19 measly points at home against a defense that has the worst starting cornerback duo in the league.

Granted, the Bears did compile 463 yards of total offense, including 362 through the air and 101 on the ground. You can’t ask for much more out of Martz’s first real trial run, but the Lions should have never been in this game. Chicago turned the ball over four times, committed nine penalties for 100 yards and couldn’t score on four straight attempts from the Detroit 1-yard line with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game when trailing, 14-13.

Considering Lovie Smith was on the hot seat coming into the season, it’s shocking that his team could look so undisciplined, unfocused and so careless.

The only thing that saved he and the Bears today was a technicality.

The Chicago Bears have problems in their secondary and can’t keep any of their linebackers healthy.

But their offense is starting to take shape with Jay Cutler under center.

Albeit it was against the Lions, but the Bears finally got their running game going as Matt Forte rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in Chicago’s 48-24 victory. Cutler didn’t have to do much in the passing game, but he was clutch in the red zone, completing a 2-yard touchdown pass to Kellen Davis in the second quarter, then Greg Olsen on a 1-yard TD pass on a fourth and 1 from the goal line after a Detroit penalty negated a field goal. Cutler also rushed for a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter to tie the game 7-7.

Rookie Johnny Knox once again proved his worth, returning the second half kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown. He also hauled in five passes for 31 yards.

The Bears are far from perfect, but if they can run the ball like they did on Sunday, they’re going to be potent. Their opening week loss to the Packers is nothing but a distant memory and with the bye week coming up, Lovie Smith’s team is sitting pretty at 3-1.

As for the Lions, Matthew Stafford looked great early on, but he left the game with a twisted knee and his availability for next week is uncertain.

Here are quick-hit previews for all the games in Week 4 of the NFL.

Ravens (3-0) at Patriots (2-1), 1:00PM ET
Baltimore must pressure Tom Brady more than Atlanta did last week if it wants to leave Foxboro with a victory today. It would be wise for the Ravens to stay balanced offensively and grind down a New England defense that looked good for the first time last week. The Pats did a great job establishing the run in their win over the Falcons. If they can do that again, things will open in the passing game and Brady can take advantage of a Baltimore secondary that has not played well so far.

Lions (1-2) at Bears (2-1), 1:00PM ET
Fresh off their first victory in nearly 20 tries, the Lions look to pull off an upset in Solider Field. Detroit could be without running back Kevin Smith, so look for the Lions to throw early and often to take advantage of a suspect Chicago secondary. The Bears will look to establish the ground game with Matt Forte, although Jay Cutler should make more than enough plays in the passing game against a brutal Detroit defense.

Bucs (0-3) at Redskins (1-2), 1:00PM ET
Jim Zorn’s team has a lot to prove this week after losing to the Lions last Sunday. They’ll take on a Bucs team that they can dominate as long as Zorn doesn’t get conservative with his play calling. Washington needs to throw the ball vertically against a brutal Tampa secondary or else they’ll once again give an inferior opponent a chance to win. The Bucs will start Josh Johnson at quarterback and the O-line must give him time to throw or else his inexperience will shine through. It would be nice if Kellen Winslow and Antonio Bryant (who is questionable to play) could step up and help the young man out.

Titans (0-3) at Jaguars (1-2), 1:00PM ET
Will Jeff Fisher’s team fall to 0-4 a year after they started 10-0 and had the best record in the AFC? Keys to victory for the Titans are to run the ball offensively, stuff the box with eight defenders to stop Maurice Jones-Drew, and to get better in a hurry in pass coverage. If they can force David Garrard to beat them throwing the ball, they should be fine. Offensively, however, they need to get Chris Johnson and the running game going to take pressure off Kerry Collins.

Raiders (1-2) at Texans (1-2), 1:00PM ET
Will the real Texans please stand up? Houston has enough talent to make the playoffs, but their inconsistent play so far this season is maddening. They have a prime opportunity to earn another win today, as Oakland continues to struggle moving the ball offensively. The Texans can’t allow Darren McFadden to run wild because that will take pressure off quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the passing game. If Houston can establish its run game early, take shots down field in the passing game with Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, then they should control this contest from the onset and take home a victory.

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