The text of human history indicates that we, as a race, value consistency and order. But the unspoken subtext of our existence is that Chaos is King, the “Rex Mundi” according to the Gnostics. The Greeks personified Chaos as a Goddess of strife, Eris – whom the Romans called Discord, and in this form she plied rancor in the fertile hearts of men.

In a season that will be forever marred by the NFL’s shambolic experiment in union busting, a cursory glance at the current NFL standings reveals that an epoch of Chaos is upon us. Gone are the Steelers and Saints, and even more conspicuously, Green Bay, who, at 2 and 3, now resemble Shelly’s Ozymandias – two vast and trunkless legs of a shattered colossus bestriding a barren wasteland.

Into this scorched Hellscape come the Bears at 4 and 1, with 14 days off and a downhill schedule against three upcoming opponents with a combined record of 3 and 11. Sunday’s contest against Jacksonville erased lingering doubts about the aging defensive unit, while showcasing a bright future in the form of Northwestern product Corey Wootton, who recorded two sacks and a forced fumble. Yet another pair of pick-6’s from Charles “Peanut” Tillman and Lance “EL Boogie” Briggs, and a month that saw Tim Jennings abscond with four enemy pass attempts, have brought back happy memories of Mike Brown and a magical season ten years ago. On the other side of the ball, Brandon Marshall logged the first ten plus receptions for a Bears wide out since the Marty Booker era. It would not be hubris to envision a 7 and 1 record at the halfway mark. Except that it would be hubris.

Cautious fans will remember that for 3/4ths of Sunday the offense was essentially stuck in neutral, and that a fractured hand for Alshon Jeffery has been given no timetable for return. With a decidedly muted contribution from special teams lately, this leaves only one place for the Polyphemic eye of Fate to rest: Jay Cutler. The time is long past for apologies or explanations. Jay Cutler has demonstrated a keen awareness of the media’s attention, playing up to his own dedicated camera on every sideline in the league. For the Bears to capitalize on the misrule and mistakes of the 2012 season, Cutler must convert his hectoring, preening pride into something more potent and primal – the human art of hatred – hatred of losing; hatred of back foot turnovers; hatred, if necessary, of us. For to hate is to conquer, and Cutler must now become Discord. Only through such an apotheosis will he lead the Bears to a Super Bowl. And (if the Gods will it) after winning, like Alexander he will weep, for then there will be no teams left to conquer.