Thread: Rapid Reaction: Bears 34, Cowboys 18

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:

What 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.

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

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.