Quarterly report: Bears vs. Panthers
BY MARK POTASH October 2, 2011 10:52PM
D.J. Moore of the Chicago Bears | Getty Images
Updated: November 15, 2011 9:53AM
QUARTER 1
KEY PLAYER
D.J. Moore, Bears CB: Picked off a Cam Newton pass that was tipped and weaved his way through the middle of the field for a 19-yard touchdown that gave the Bears a 10-3 lead.
KEY STAT
8-78 The Bears rushed for almost 10 yards a carry, highlighted by Matt Forte’s 46-yard romp.
DID YOU NOTICE?
Jay Cutler didn’t throw a pass. He tried to score on a QB draw on third-and-goal from the 4 but was tackled at the 2.
QUARTER 2
KEY PLAYER
Devin Hester, Bears KR: Back in ridiculous mode with a 73-yard kickoff return to set up a TD and a 69-yard punt return TD that gave him the NFL record for career punt-return scores with 11.
KEY STAT
299 The Bears scored on offense, defense and special teams, yet led by only four because they allowed 299 yards.
DID YOU NOTICE?
Cam Newton was 8-for-11 for 108 yards with two rushing touchdowns.
QUARTER 3
KEY PLAYER
Charles Tillman, Bears CB: After Jeremy Shockey committed an interference penalty to nullify his 22-yard TD, Tillman blocked a 34-yard FG by Olindo Mare to protect the 24-20 lead.
KEY STAT
29 The Bears continued to lead despite having run just 29 plays for 198 yards through three quarters.
DID YOU NOTICE?
RG Lance Louis, who missed the last three games, replaced Frank Omiyale at RT, with Chris Spencer still at RG.
QUARTER 4
KEY PLAYER
Matt Forte, Bears RB: His 40-yard run set up Marion Barber’s clinching TD. Forte gained 96 yards on 11 carries in the quarter to give him 205 yards on 25 carries for the game.
KEY STAT
39.6 Newton was 3-for-11 for 24 yards and a 39.6 rating in the fourth quarter until the Bears scored to take a 34-23 lead.
DID YOU NOTICE?
Cutler was intercepted when he overthrew TE Kyle Adams over the middle.
