Rapid Reaction: Bears 34, Cowboys 18

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/pos...-34-cowboys-18
Rapid Reaction: Bears 34, Cowboys 18

October, 1, 2012 11:45 PM ET

By Kevin Seifert |
ESPN.com

A few thoughts on Monday
night's events at Cowboys Stadium:

What it means: The Chicago
Bears improved to 3-1 and now share the NFC North lead with the Minnesota Vikings. This was the kind of all-around dominance the
Bears envisioned this offseason. Their defense intercepted Dallas
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo five times and accounted for two
touchdowns, but their offense held up its end with a sharp and productive
performance from quarterback Jay Cutler -- at least on the field.


CutlerWatch I: We'll handle Cutler's night in two
separate posts. On the field, Cutler was accurate, aggressive and took few
unnecessary risks. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 275 yards for two scores and
no interceptions, and his 140.1 passer rating was the third-highest of his
career. His impressive throws included a 34-yard touchdown strike to receiver Devin Hester, a 30-yard back-shoulder pass
to receiver Brandon Marshall and also
finding Marshall wide open against a blitz for a 31-yard clinching score in the
fourth quarter. After two weeks of offensive struggles, the Bears couldn't have
asked for more Monday night.

CutlerWatch II: A
discussion of Cutler's night would not be complete without noting his refusal to
acknowledge offensive coordinator Mike Tice during a second half trip to the
sideline. As we discussed earlier, Cutler walked away from Tice, sat down on the
Bears bench, and then got up and walked away again as soon as Tice sat next to
him. We don't have the full context and may never get it, but is sure didn't
seem a respectful way to treat a coach who has given Cutler significant
schematic latitude this season.

Defense rises:
Cornerback Charles Tillman and linebacker
Lance Briggs each returned interceptions
for touchdowns in what was a dominant display by the Bears defense. Briggs' play
was a turning point of sorts, coming shortly after Cutler had fumbled and gave
the Bears a 24-7 cushion. The final statistics might not bear it out, and some
of you will note that Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant probably left 100 yards worth of
catching on the field via drops. But to me, Monday night was a reminder for the
nation the Bears defense is still on top of its game. These guys just know how
to play this scheme.

HesterWatch: We discussed the
possibility Monday afternoon of the Bears using Hester more in this game, and
his touchdown reception was his first since Week 6 of last season. Cutler
clearly focused on Marshall (seven receptions, 138 yards) but Hester stepped up
with fellow receiver Earl Bennett sidelined by a hand injury.


What's next: The Bears will play at the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday, the second leg of the dreaded
road game after a Monday nighter on the road.

so dominant was that perforamance that ESPN made 2 rapid reacts:



Rapid Reaction: Bears 34, Cowboys 18

October, 1, 2012
Oct 1

10:44

PM CT


By Michael C. Wright |
ESPNChicago.com

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ARLINGTON,
Texas -- The Chicago Bears
used an all-around team performance -- including two defensive touchdowns -- to
blast the Dallas
Cowboys 34-18 in front of a national television audience on Monday Night
Football.

After taking a beating on national TV at the hands of the Green Bay
Packers on Sept. 13, the Bears dealt out one of their own as quarterback Jay Cutler
completed 75 percent of his throws for two touchdowns and a passer rating of
140.1.

Defensively, the Bears ran up their takeaway total to 14 after
intercepting Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo five
times, with Charles
Tillman and Lance Briggs
returning the INTs for scores. The Bears entered the game ranked second in the
NFL in takeaways (9).

Here’s more:

http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/med/trans/chi.gifhttp://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nfl/med/trans/dal.gifWhat it means: This seemed to be a contest that could
potentially swing the season negatively for the loser. So the Bears avoided that
on the road in a boisterous Cowboys Stadium atmosphere on Monday Night Football.
More importantly, they moved into a tie with the Minnesota
Vikings atop the NFC North.

With the Bears having finished the game
relatively healthy, the schedule seems to set up nicely.

The Bears' D
scores, Bears win: Cornerback Charles Tillman and linebacker Lance Briggs
helped the defense put two of the team’s touchdowns on the board, and when that
transpires, the Bears typically come out on top. Since 2004, the Bears own a
20-5 record when the defense scores a TD. Since 2005, the club is 17-2 under
those circumstances.

Tillman scored the first touchdown of the game with
his 25-yard interception return that put the Bears ahead 10-0 with 2:38 left in
the first half. The pick came on what appeared to be a miscommunication between
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Dez Bryant.


Briggs followed that up with a 74-yard interception return in the third
quarter that made the score 24-7 after Robbie Gould’s extra-point kick.


Here’s a breakdown of Chicago’s defensive touchdowns since 2004: 28 TDs
total; 21 interception return TDs, 7 fumble return TDs; 25 games in which the
defense scored a TD.

Tillman now has 31 career interceptions, with six
returned for touchdowns. Briggs’ pick marked his third returned for a TD.


Déjà vu Wright there: The sight seemed too familiar. But for the
second consecutive week cornerback Tim Jennings
broke up a pass that was later intercepted by safety Major Wright.
Jennings sent the ball flying after hitting Kevin
Ogletree as he attempted to bring in a pass from Tony Romo. The ball sailed
into the waiting hands of Wright, who last week intercepted a pass tipped by
Jennings for a TD.

Wright nabbed another pick in the fourth quarter.


Protection holds: The offensive line faced a formidable task
Monday in protecting Cutler against the No. 1 ranked defense of the Dallas
Cowboys, led by linebacker DeMarcus Ware,
who was expected to give left tackle J’Marcus Webb more than he could handle.


For the most part, however, the Bears held up in protection, allowing
just two sacks and very little in the way of pressure. Ware managed to notch a
sack. But Cutler helped with the protection by stepping up into pocket or
sidestepping rushers and delivering the ball quickly. Offensive coordinator Mike
Tice also helped by calling a game in which the Bears first established the run,
before going to the air. Tice put in plays that called for shorter drops and
quicker passes, in addition to a few designed bootlegs that allowed Cutler to
throw on the move.

Cutler’s second sack didn’t come until there was 4:03
left to play, at a time the quarterback probably shouldn’t have even been in the
game.

What’s next: The Bears take a day off on Tuesday before
returning to the field Wednesday to prepare for another road test next Sunday,
when they take on the Jacksonville
Jaguars.

I thought I caught a camera shot of Cutty and Tice yucking it up toward the end of the game.

ya amazing how a blow out turned that issue right around huh mats

Yeah. But your point is not lost.

http://bit.ly/QkQjqk

I wasn't happy with Jays response to Mike AT ALL but who am I? Mike seemed to handle it like a pro and maybe thats why Jay needed? At any rate I'll take the win and move forward.

Hell, I think he just needed a moment to calm down.

Some people, he won't dis.

http://www.trbimg.com/img-506a6f01/t...121002-001/600

Brad Briggs just posted this:

Quote:

---

Bears QB Jay Cutler responded to questions about the sideline scene with Mike Tice during 2nd qtr of blowout win.
Q: Cameras showed you sitting down, Tice walking up and you walking away. Is that about communication?

JC: It’s not anything. I don’t have to sit by him the whole game, do I?

Were you upset with him at that point?

JC: No. What are we looking for here.

It looked like you blew him off?

JC: We can’t read into everything. I get you guys gotta sell papers, it’s tough out there. You can’t blow up every headline. Things happen during football games, you know, just because I walk off and get water doesn’t mean much.

Cutler, Tice and the Bears are all smiles after a 34-18 blowout win. Cutler completed 18 of 24 passes for 275 yards and 2 touchdowns in posting a 140.1 passer rating and as Cutler said it was the “best rhythm” the team has had offensively all season

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by matsellah

Yeah. But your point is not lost.

http://bit.ly/QkQjqk

---

No, you see what happened was...Jay sat in Jason Campbell's seat, and Jason had to remind him not to do that. And as everyone knows:

Spoiler

http://i45.tinypic.com/14tlx15.png