Bears Report Card: Grading the 31-30 win over the Vikings
BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com September 15, 2013 10:08PM
QUARTERBACK: B+ Jay Cutler (28-for-39, 290 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 97.2) threw 2 INTs and had a fumble returned for a TD, but for the second consecutive week he was good when he had to be — 7-for-9 for 76 yards and a 16-yard TD to win it.
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Updated: September 16, 2013 10:24AM
How Bears reporter Mark Potash grades the Bears after their 31-30 victory over the Vikings:
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QUARTERBACK
B+
Jay Cutler (28-for-39, 290 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 97.2) threw 2 INTs and had a fumble returned for a TD, but for the second consecutive week he was good when he had to be — 7-for-9 for 76 yards and a 16-yard TD to win it.
RUNNING BACKS
B+
Matt Forte outplayed Adrian Peterson, rushing for 90 yards on 19 carries (4.7 ypc) and catching 11 passes for 71 yards. Michael Bush had 2 carries for zero yards.
RECEIVERS
A
Brandon Marshall had 7 receptions for 113 yards, including a 34-yard TD and 2 big third-down receptions on the winning TD drive. TE Martellus Bennett had 7 catches for 76 yards and caught the winning TD pass.
OFFENSIVE LINE
A-
Jermon Bushrod seemed to struggle with Jared Allen, but who doesn’t? The Bears had 411 total yards and scored 24 points on offense. The line did its job.
DEFENSIVE LINE
C
The Bears had 1 sack, and that was a statistical one by Corey Wootton. Wooton also had a fumble recovery and a hurry. Still waiting for Julius Peppers to make an impact. Nate Collins was credited with a forced fumble.
LINEBACKERS
A
Lance Briggs dropped Adrian Peterson for a 3-yard loss on the first play and played at a Pro Bowl level (10 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 pass breakups). James Anderson was nearly as good (9 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 pass breakup).
defensive backs
A-
Christian Ponder played well, but the Bears’ defense held the Vikings to 3 FGs in the second half. Tim Jennings returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown and had 2 pass breakups. Safety play needs to improve.
special teams
B+
The ultimate mixed bag. Devin Hester had KO returns of 80, 76 and 42 yards. But Cordarrelle Patterson returned a KO for a TD, and a too-many-men penalty on a punt kept a Vikings drive alive.
COACHING
B+
An uneven game for Marc Trestman & Co. — a TO on defense left them without one they needed late in the first half. But in the end, the QB kept his cool, and the Bears got the job done.
