Chicago Sun-Times

Bears ‘D’ blame themselves for Lions offensive exploits

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 12:55:38 -0500

Lance Briggs described going over the film of the Bears’ 40-32 loss against the Lions — in which running back Reggie Bush ran wild in the first half — as “disappointing” and “disgusting.” What was so disappointing? “Probably the most disappointing part of watching the film was that a lot of their big runs came against eight-man fronts,” Briggs said Monday at Halas Hall. “We weren’t even in cover-2.” Disgusting? “It’s kind of disgusting to see 40 points up on the scoreboard regardless of what went on and how it went up there,” Briggs said. “Defensively we haven’t prevented a …

Cutler: Mistakes were made vs. Lions

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 02:23:20 -0500

The same fact that was disconcerting Sunday afternoon was spun as promising Monday morning: Quarterback Jay Cutler made fundamental mistakes against the Lions that are fixable, coach Marc Trestman said. “The turnovers and some of the under- and over-throws were more fundamentals than they were a lack of execution or reading coverage, things like that,” Trestman said Monday after watching film at Halas Hall. “I think that they’re correctable — and I think he’ll go back to work and work on those things.” It wasn’t just the three interceptions and the one fumble that bothered Cutler and Trestman after the …

Bears emerge from game with Lions with few injuries

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 02:23:30 -0500

The Bears were outplayed in all three phases of their 40-32 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Ford Field. But despite that, all they lost was a game. It could have been worse. Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman, who has been limited by knee and groin injuries, played 41 of 67 snaps and emerged unscathed. ‘‘I talked to [trainer] Chris Hanks and he feels that we’ll get a better Charles Tillman [this] week than we had [last] week,’’ coach Marc Trestman said. ‘‘He was better [Monday] morning than he was a week ago at this time. I thought …

ARKUSH: Loss to Lions leaves nothing to feel good about

Tue, 01 Oct 2013 02:22:45 -0500

Grading the Bears’ 40-32 failure in Detroit is an iffy proposition. To hear the coaches and players tell it, there was much to feel good about in the second half. I’m afraid I didn’t see it. True, the Bears “won” the second half 19-10 — and outgained the Lions 250-127. And they didn’t quit. The problem with that interpretation is that the Lions won the first half 30-13 when both clubs were playing on the same terms to win the game. Had the Lions not played the second half in prevent mode, gladly trading yardage and occasional points for time …

10 observations on Bears’ loss to Lions

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 14:52:01 -0500

MARK POTASH: After their worst performance in Marc Trestman’s first season in Montreal in 2008, the Montreal Alouettes responded with their best game of the season and began a stretch that carried them to the Grey Cup.

Bears snap counts in loss to Lions

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 14:51:14 -0500

The first loss of the Marc Trestman era was an ugly one. There was Lions running back Reggie Bush running wild against the Bears defense and quarterback Jay Cutler getting sacked three times and throwing three interceptions.

Bears’ defense has holes and Reggie Bush found them

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:28:13 -0500

ADAM L. JAHNS: Cornerback Charles Tillman knew Lions running back Reggie Bush had a good day, but he hadn’t seen the final stat sheets and didn’t know exactly how good.

Lions hand Bears first loss, 40-32

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:28:26 -0500

When the Bears lined up for an onside kick down eight with 47 seconds left Sunday, it would have been easy to wonder: Did the magic from an undefeated season follow them to Ford Field after all? Then the Lions recovered the kick to hang onto a 40-32 victory and first place in the NFC North.

Jay Cutler’s doubt meter spikes after rocky performance

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:29:14 -0500

RICK TELANDER: Jay, we were beginning to love ye! More mature, more reasonable, at the peak of your powers, ready to lead the team, you were our guy. And then this.

Lions proved to be the only ones to get in Suh’s way

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:30:28 -0500

DETROIT — Ndamukong Suh had broadsided Jay Cutler, popping the ball loose onto the ground and into Nick Fairley’s arms. Fairley had done the rest, running four yards for a touchdown to put the Detroit Lions up 21 points over the Bears as the third quarter wound down Sunday. Suh and Fairley figured they’d celebrate. On the Lions sideline, they jumped toward each other, trying a flying chest bump. They collided — and Suh tumbled to the ground. ‘‘I think I am the only guy that brought him down this year so far,” Fairley said. The Bears certainly didn’t. Suh …

Bears are living between awesome and awful

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:28:51 -0500

RICK MORRISSEY: Heading into Sunday’s game, the question had been whether the Bears were for real and whether there was something fundamentally wrong with those of us who couldn’t quite get on board with a 3-0 team.