I would first like to dispel the myth that Green Bay gave us this game. Now I could buy the argument that we were given a win by the refs in week 1, although we thoroughly dominated almost every stat category of that game. So winning the statistics game really doesn’t matter if your team scores more points than the other team. But this game was won by the Bears, albeit in an ugly way. When a team records as many penalties as the Packers did, (I think they still may be getting a few more flags as we speak, Nick Collins) it is caused by putting pressure on the other team and putting them on their heels. We could thank Julius Peppers for this who seems to have earned his contract all in one game. So the argument that we were given this game just doesn’t fly with me because in my opinion penalties happen either from bad coaching or the other team causing the penalized team to think it must get that extra step, Tauscher was essentially scared out of his pants having to face Peppers. So that being said I am going to attempt to analyze parts of the Bears performance.
The offensive line was something that impressed me. I know the stat sheet says we were still allowing to many sacks, but I attribute most of those to Cuter simply holding the ball too long. This is something Bear fans need to get used to. Cutler doesn’t like to stay in the pocket when no one is open so he tends to try to escape it and in doing so will occasionally get sacked. I also thought I saw some decent holes in the run game and am surprised we didn’t run it more in an effort to control the clock and keep Rogers off the field. I also noticed a J’Marcus Webb sighting for a brief spell of Shaffer. Looks to me the coaching staff is finally coaching and trying to light that competitive fire withing their own team.
The defensive line is another thing that impressed me, without the services of Tommie Harris. As a unit they dominated by simply causing penalties (intentional grounding, holding and false starts), or should I say Peppers dominated and the other guys were just there to make sure Peppers wasn’t getting triple teamed. I know Rogers didn’t get sacked but this is where I attribute that to Rogers being so damn good in the pocket. I have to give it to Rogers he is possibly the best QB in the league, and it pains me to say this with Cutler on our team but I am a realist. As for some other individual performances I only saw Mark Anderson and Idonije get any kind of significant pressure, but no one was close to being as consistent as Peppers.
The linebackers were all over the run game as usual but as far as defending the pass they seemed to be just an inch or two off on many of Rogers throws. That first TD that went right by Urlacher seemed to be in reach of Urlacher’s hands, so although he looked good I think it is evident that he has lost a step or two. I tend to think that in 2005 that pass could have been picked off. There was also the long third down pass that Pisa seemed to just miss as it sailed over his hands and into Finley’s hands. The question is should the linebackers be in position to stop these or is the d-line not getting the needed pressure?
The secondary seemed to get picked apart all day, but it is understandable considering we allowed Rogers to do crossword puzzles in the pocket. And I have to reiterate that Rogers is just good. The wide receivers seemed to lack the separation which was evident by Cutler being sacked and tucking the ball away and running a few times. Considering on a tv I can’t watch what the receivers are doing I have to assume that they weren’t getting open consistently. The running backs seemed to have holes but without consistently running I can’t blame them for their low average, a running game needs to be allowed to get the ball more to judge it correctly. Jay Cutler was okay, but he was great at the right times. Special teams was highlighted by the return of Mr Ridiculous. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Gould missed a field goal that he is expected to miss, because any attempt outside of 45 yards and he becomes a below average kicker. Plain and simple we have to give some credit to coaching by the coordinators, and the philosophy of an overly aggressive zone defense instilled by Lovie Smith. And I liked the 4th and 1 call here but hated it against Detroit, they were completely different scenarios. I am not saying they are free of blame (coaches) or criticism but they have transformed this team.
This game was overall highlighted by great special teams, causing penalties, timely scoring drives, timely turnovers, and a bend but don’t break defense. But the game was not given to us! As easy as people could say that the Packers were sloppy with penalties we could easily say that we left an additional 10 points off the scorecard by a missed FG and a drop by Clark (a poor pass too). Right now we still aren’t a sure bet to win games but we are now a team that is developing and improving and doing this with an undefeated record!
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