Grading the Bears
BY MARK POTASH September 18, 2011 11:14PM
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 18: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs past Patrick Robinson #21 of the New Orleans Saints and Isa Abdul-Quddus #42 of the New Orleans Saints ofthe NEw Orleans Saints during the game against at the Louisiana Superdome on September 18, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) R:\Merlin\Getty_Photos\125587555.jpg
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Updated: November 10, 2011 12:40PM
Quarterback
C Jay Cutler struggled when his protection
collapsed in the second half. But he wasn’t good enough when the situation was more manageable in the first half.
Running backs
B Matt Forte’s value keeps going up. He made two big plays to set up the Bears’ first touchdown and
finished with 166
total yards (49 rushing, 117 receiving).
Receivers
D Without Earl Bennett and Roy Williams, the Bears got little from their receivers. Even Dane Sanzenbacher (three catches, 33 yards) had a costly third-down drop.
Offensive line
D - After an early 11-play, 87-yard touchdown drive, it was all downhill. Gabe Carimi’s injury was a fatal blow as the Bears allowed five sacks in the fourth quarter.
Defensive line
C- The Bears faced a better line than they did against the Falcons, but no one stepped up. Israel Idonije had an early sack, but Henry Melton and the rest of the line were silenced.
Linebackers
C Lance Briggs had 11 tackles (10 solo), but the Bears needed big plays and came up empty. Nick Roach had five tackles and Brian Urlacher three.
Defensive backs
C With a 7-3 lead, the Bears
needed to avoid the big play but couldn’t do it. Drew Brees’ 79-yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson was a big blow.
Special teams
C The Bears came up empty. A penalty by Sam Hurd hurt, and the team mustered no big returns. The Bears’ average starting point was their own 24.
Coaching
C The Bears were outblocked, outhit and
outplayed and were unable to recover from injuries. The Saints attacked every weakness.
