Thread: what we learned

Week 16 Report Card: Big-play D returns

December, 23, 2012Dec 23
9:10
PM CT

By Michael C. Wright | ESPNChicago.com

Week 16 Report Card: Chicago Bears 28, Arizona Cardinals 13

A-

Rushing Offense

Too bad we didn't see more of it since Matt Forte suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter that knocked him out of the game. Forte rushed for 88 yards on 12 attempts. That's right, he averaged almost 7.5 yards per carry. The Bears also received strong contributions from Armando Allen and Kahlil Bell. The offensive line blocked better, but the group still didn't open up the holes as well as it needs to in the season finale and in the playoffs if they make it. Forte seems to be gaining the majority of his yardage outside and on off-tackle runs. He needs to be gaining more up the middle, and the offensive line needs to make that possible.



C

Passing Offense

Jay Cutler missed on his first six passes and finished the game having completed worse than 50 percent of his throws. Still the quarterback deserves credit for hitting five in a row late in the second quarter before capping an 80-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall. This grade should probably be a "D." But Cutler gets credit for remaining patient and bouncing back to make some clutch throws during the two-minute warning in the second quarter. Cutler also completed passes to receivers not named Marshall for a change, and the offensive line held the Cardinals to only one sack.



A

Rushing Defense

There's not a ton to say here. The Bears dominated in this category. Cardinals leading rusher LaRod Stephens-Howling carried the ball 11 times for 20 yards. As a team, Arizona finished with 29 yards on 19 attempts. That's not what you'd call winning football by the Cardinals, who gained just 7 yards on their longest run of the day. What's more is Chicago played Sunday without defensive tackle Henry Melton. So the Bears weren't at full strength on Sunday, but still managed to get it done.



A-

Passing Defense

Larry Fitzgerald is one of the game's best receivers. So it wasn't a surprise to see him finish with 111 yards on eight receptions. The Bears kept Fitzgerald from putting points on the board, and the longest completion they gave up all day went for a 24-yard gain. Charles Tillman picked off Ryan Lindley and scored on a 10-yard INT return. Kelvin Hayden picked off another Arizona pass. Findley and his replacement Brian Hoyer each threw interceptions, and suffered two sacks apiece in addition to finishing with passer ratings of 55 and 51.4, respectively.



D

Special Teams

Special teams coach Dave Toub won't be pleased about the unit giving up an 82-yard touchdown on a blocked field goal. The Bears stuffed Arizona on a fake field-goal attempt, but muffed a couple of punts, including one that bounced off D.J. Moore (although Devin Hester seemed to be responsible) and gave the Cardinals possession at the Chicago 36-yard line in the second quarter. Hester averaged just 6 yards on punt returns, but managed to take a kickoff 40 yards. Adam Podlesh finished with a 40.3-yard net average and knocked three punts inside the Arizona 20.



B

Coaching

Despite a week of controversy ranging from Brian Urlacher's remarks about fans to questions about the job security of the coaches, Chicago's staff prepared the team well for a long trip out West in the face of difficult circumstances and a must-win situation. It also says something about the staff to see the Bears continue to compete hard even though they need help to get into the postseason. The Bears returned to their habit of forcing takeaways on defense, and the offense executed better (just a little) than it had been in recent outings.

Not much to disagree w/on those grades. Forte finally was used effectively; but that had more to do w/how well the OL actually opening up holes. That TD he got at the goal line; he could have done that last week if the OL had open the holes like it did today. Cutler looked like poo, but he did enough to get the job done, but he does that next week and it will be MUCH harder to win. D was solid in general, they follow their HC as Bum Slayers and it showed. ST's was sad, Devin had one good return, maybe 2, but it was all neutralized by that backwards punt run and the blocked fg.