GRADING THE BEARS
BY MARK POTASH
Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) catches a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. Chicago Bears beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-3. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
QUARTERBACK
B With a helping hand from Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler overcame an INT on his first throw to finish 23-for-39 for 292 yards, 2 TDs and an 88.8 passer rating.
RUNNING BACKS
B Matt Forte netted 107 yards on 22 carries with a consistent effort. Michael Bush (4-26) was more than a complement and No. 3 back Armando Allen capped off the rout with a 46-yard TD.
RECEIVERS
B+ Brandon Marshall carried the load with 12 receptions for 144 yards and a 24-yard TD. The supporting cast was quiet until Alshon Jeffery and Devin Hester made plays in the fourth quarter.
OFFENSIVE LINE
B After a slow start, the Bears finished with 501 net yards, including 214 rushing on 33 carries. Cutler was sacked once. Gabe Carimi struggled with a hold and two motion penalties.
DEFENSIVE LINE
A Bears clearly won this battle as Corey Wootton led another stout effort with two sacks, including one that forced a fumble that Julius Peppers recovered. Bears stymied Maurice Jones-Drew (11-29 in the first half).
LINEBACKERS
A Lance Briggs returned an INT for a TD for the second consecutive game and had a sack. Brian Urlacher had two tackles, but one was for a loss. Nick Roach added a pass defense.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
A- Tim Jennings had a missed tackle and got beat on a deep ball — it’s going to happen. But Charles Tillman made the big play again with an INT he returned 36 yards for a TD.
SPECIAL TEAMS
C Coverage units continued their strong play — Jaguars had no punt returns and a long KO return of 26 yards. But Devin Hester is almost literally running in circles to break a big play.
COACHING
A Lovie Smith’s decision to have 8 defensive linemen active paid off as the Bears got stronger in the second half. Team struggled early but still won in a rout — that says something.
