Grading the Bears
BY MARK POTASH September 25, 2011 10:26PM
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher makes the stop on Packers receiver Jermichael Finley (88) after a catch in the second quarter as the Chicago Bears lost to the Green Bay Packers 27-17 Sunday September 25, 2011 at Soldier Field in Chicago. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
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Updated: November 11, 2011 2:02PM
Quarterback
C Jay Cutler (21-for-37 for 302 yards, two TDs and 2 INTs) was in a tough spot without a running game, but his overthrows in key situations didn’t help.
Running backs
C- Probably should be an incomplete, as Matt Forte had just nine carries for two yards. Jay Cutler was the leading rusher with 11 yards on three carries.
Receivers
C Rookie Dane Sanzenbacher is becoming the Bears’ go-to WR, which is not a good thing. Tight end Kellen
Davis had a 32-yard TD. Roy Williams did not have a catch.
Offensive line
C Did nothing in the run game as the Bears had 12 carries for 13 yards. Did much better in pass protection, but broke down with penalties in a key drive in the fourth quarter.
Defensive line
C Henry Melton came back from a subpar performance last week with a sack and three tackles-for-loss. But the Bears gave up big yards up the middle in the running game.
Linebackers
B- Lance Briggs had 14 tackles, two TFLs and forced a fumble. Brian Urlacher had a key interception that gave the Bears a chance. But
pass coverage was weak.
Defensive backs
C The Bears were shorthanded with Chris Harris and Major Wright out, but nobody stepped up. The Bears DBs did not have one pass break-up.
Special teams
C The Bears held Randall Cobb in check, but they needed a big play on returns and didn’t get it. Johnny Knox’s 89-yard punt return for a TD was nullified by a penalty.
Coaching
C The run game regressed when it was supposed to be better. And the Bears lost their poise in the fourth quarter when they had a chance to get back in it.
