I saw all of the Jaguars game on Sunday and it looked like Bears outplayed the Jaguars for 3 of 4 quarters. The 1st Quarter the Bears seemed to be the more dominate team, but the score just didn't show it. They were able go on a 6-minute drive to the Jacksonville 14, but could only manage a Robbie Gould field goal. At the end of the 1st Quarter and in the 2nd Quarter, the Jaguars had some success driving the ball and were able to get into Bears territory twice. One ended up in a field goal, the 2nd time was saved by a Corey Wootton forced fumble. (I was thinking the bend not break worked again). At the end of the first half, I gave 1st Quarter to the Bears and the 2nd Quarter to the Jags. The offense seemed to able to run the ball well and Cutler was finding an open Kellen Davis in a couple key situations, but the offense seemed unable to finish any drive. The defense seemed to be giving up too much yardage, and it didn't seem like they could get off the field in 3rd Down situations. In the two long drives the Jaguars had in the 1st Half, Jacksonville went 5 for 6 on 3rd Down. That being said the score at halftime was still 3-3.
The tone was set by the offense on the first drive which lasted 9 minutes, 17 plays, and only resulted in a field goal, but had to take some toll on the Jaguars' defense in the 100 degree heat (which is hard to imagine this time of year). At the time a 6-3 lead seemed tenuous, especially since MJD had gone off for a couple nice runs in the 1st half. Charles Tillman changed that with a repeat performance, taking a QB-WR miscued interception to the end zone. It was disastrous beginning to the 2nd half as the Jaguars' first two possessions consisted of 2 penalties, 1 interception, 1 sack, 1 incompletion, and 1 completion for 5 yards.
After the Tillman pick, the tide had clearly turned. The Bears, after another uninspired Jags drive, were able to ram it down the field behind Michael Bush and ended up with Alshon Jeffrey TD. The next Bears possession, it was Forte's turn as he nearly single-handedly drove the Bears down the field for a Brandon Marshall TD. At this point, it was pretty much game over, but Lance Briggs put an exclamation mark on it by returning another interception for a TD. It was the first time in NFL history where teammates return TDs in consecutive weeks. Of course, I was thinking Mike Brown from 2001 in consecutive weeks.
Of course, that was a lot more exciting because of how and when it happened. After the Briggs TD, the only highlights left was the Armando Allen TD.
Bears Defense
Obviously, the defense came up big again only letting up 3 points, 189 yards, and with 2 TDs of their own. Anytime your defense outscores your opponent's offense its going to be a pretty good day. If I am to nitpick, the defense probably would have wanted to get to Gabbert more often during the game and improve on their 3rd Down percentage in the first half.
The defense also provided momentum changing plays. The first was the sack-fumble by Wootton. At the time the Jaguars were driving, well into field goal range, on the Bear 21. It was their 2nd drive of the half that they had come the length of the field. With only 2 minutes left, the Bears faced the possibility of going into halftime down 6-3 after a made field goal. Corey Wootton made sure it didn't happen.
In the 2nd half, after a Bears field goal making the score 6-3, Tillman comes up big with a pick-6, making the score 13-3, and beginning the rout.
Bears Offense
As in past games, the Bears running game was effective, setting the stage for later success through the air. Forte rushed for 107 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, while Michael Bush rushed for 26 yards on 4 carries. Brandon Marshall had huge day with 12 receptions for 144 yards and 1 TD. Cutler went to Kellen Davis early in the game, but didn't connect after that. Alshon Jeffery had a nice TD reception late in the game on a slant where Jeffery got the inside position by sealing the corner from the ball and making the TD a slam dunk. The offensive line performed well, opening up holes for Forte and Bush, while also providing sufficient pass protection. Carimi seemed to have a bad game however, getting called for multiple penalties and giving up a sack.
My one thought on the offense, is that they don't seem to be able to carry the team. In the past two weeks, the offense has been unable to capture the lead until the defense has provided the momentum shift. After the Bears have captured the lead, it seems that the offense gets on track and everything starts clicking. This is a front running offense, we saw last week against Dallas. In St. Louis, it was a 13-6 game until a Major Wright interception blew it wide open. It would be nice, and it would greatly improve my confidence in this team, to see the offense take the lead without the defense providing the game changing lift.
Next week's a bye, but I might have an idea for a Bears post next week.
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