Grading the Bears
BY MARK POTASH October 2, 2011 10:44PM
Bears cornerback D.J. Moore (30) scores on a pass interception of Panther's quaterback Cam Newton in the in the first quarter of the Chicago Bears 34-29 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday October 2, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
Updated: November 15, 2011 9:53AM
Quarterback
D All Jay Cutler was asked to do was manage the game, and even that almost went awry. Cutler was 9-for-17 for 102 yards and threw a fourth-quarter INT.
Running backs
A Matt Forte keeps making the most of every opportunity. He rushed for 205 yards on 25 carries, including a 40-yarder that all but clinched it.
Receivers
C Johnny Knox (3 catches, 48 yards), Dane Sanzenbacher (1-16) and Roy Williams (1-15) combined for 5 catches for 79 yards.
Offensive line
B+ Anytime the Bears rush for 224 yards on 31 carries, the O-line did its job. Lance Louis gets a gold star for a solid job on short notice at RT.
Defensive line
C- The Bears allowed six runs of 10 yards or more and didn’t sack Cam Newton. But they applied enough pressure late to avoid disaster.
Linebackers
C Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs led the Bears with 8 tackles each and combined to force the Bears’ lone takeaway that turned into a TD.
Defensive backs
C D.J. Moore scored on a 19-yard INT return. But nobody could handle Steve Smith. Tim Jennings had two pass deflections that could have been INTs.
Special teams
A Dave Toub is on fire. Devin Hester had a 69-yard punt return TD and 73-yard KO return that set up another. Hester got flagged for well-deserved celebration.
Coaching
C+ Bears lived up to their promise to run the ball, with 31 rushes to 17 passes.
Bears used all three second-half
timeouts to get their act together.
