“Winning is Contagious”
We heard that phrase from the coaching staff after the come back win against Oakland. I have to say that they are right. Winning certainly is contagious! I know I’ve certainly had fun watching this team complete come back drives the last two weeks!
This looks to be an early turning point in the Bears season.
After a rough first three games the Bears have found a winning formula against their last two opponents. Both wins have come from Jay Cutler shouldering the load in the last couple minutes to put the team in a winning position.
Whether it is setting up Robbie for a last second field goal winner, or keeping his composure and finding Forte in the end zone. Cutler has managed to get it done in clutch situations.
Game Management
I said at the beginning of the season that I would like to see Jay become a better game manager.
Golly Gee, I didn’t think it would come so quick. I’m not sure how much control he has over the play calling, but the 3rd and 6 touchdown pass to Marquess Wilson made me get up out of my chair. With less than three and a half minutes left, Cutler throws off his back foot over two defenders to hit Marquess Wilson at the first pylon in the end zone for a touchdown. This was the first of two touchdowns that Cutler orchestrated in the closing minutes of the game.
First, what a play call.
Second, I love the aggressiveness of Jay to try and put that ball where it needs to be.
He knew that the Bears needed points soon and he went for the end zone on third down and it worked. He knew that if it didn’t, the field goal unit would be able put points on the board and the game still be in a reachable grasp.
However, I loved seeing how aggressive he was in that situation. The two point conversion failed as apparently Mariani did not get the ball over the pylon. Now there is 3:05 left in the game and the score was 17-12 with the Chiefs still ahead.
On the last drive of the game for the Bears, Cutler and the coaching staff were back at it again. Thanks to a defensive pass interference that set the ball at the 13 yard line, Cutler quickly hits Marty Bennett. Then finally, after a bobbled snap by Cutler, he looks up and finds Forte in the end zone and leads him perfectly.
Touchdown Chicago!
That made it an 18-17 game, with no successful two point conversion, the Bears were able to keep Kansas City from getting any points in the final 18 seconds.
Did John Fox Plan This From the Beginning?
Some of you might be wondering why we didn’t see that kind of productivity in the first half. Here is why. “The Fox” knew that without Kevin White, Alshon Jeffery, and Eddie Royal the Bears receivers were not going to burn the Kansas City defense by a whole lot if any. So in the first half he kept the ball on the ground and let Forte do his thing.
The Bears time of possession in the first quarter was almost unfair. The Chiefs hardly had the ball at all. This kept our defense rested.
Yes, the Chiefs did score in the first quarter, but no thanks to their offense. I have said repeatedly that you have to allow a turnover a game for Jay Cutler and that was the one. Jay fumbles in the end zone and gives up a touchdown.
In the second quarter the Chiefs’ offense put up a touchdown. The incredibly quick D’Anthony Thomas scored on a screen pass. Then with nine seconds left in the first half the Chiefs put up another field goal. During all this time the Bears offense was stagnant, the Bears had three three and outs in the second quarter. Sticking to their game plan and running the ball, keeping pressure off of Jay.
Then in the second half, the play book slowly opened up. Jay found Marquess deep for a 33 yard pass. Cutler also took a shot in the end zone at Zach Miller who just couldn’t shake past the coverage on a 50/50 ball. The passing game was starting to take shape, Fox knew he had to start opening up the passing game but he did it at a slower pace so the defense would respect the run going into the fourth quarter.
The Bears went on to score on their last two drves of the game through the air.
Defense
I’m a defensive guy, so I have to make a quick shout out to that Bears defense. The defense only gave up 10 points against Kansas City. After the blocked field goal by Pernell, the defense started to look like the defense Chicago Bears fans know and love. Keeping good coverage on the receivers and creating pressure up front made it tough for Alex Smith to keep the offense rolling in the second half. The defense held the Chiefs to strictly only three and outs in the fourth quarter and was able to keep the game in reach for the offense to work some magic.
I’m starting to like what this defense is turning into, Vic now has his guys with their heads held high. Let’s see them continue to build on their successes and start forcing some turnovers here in the near future!
Looking Ahead
The Bears play a winless Detroit team next. I know I don’t want to hand the Lions their first win of the year. Look for Fox to handle the game in a similar way next week. I’m sure he will want to chew some clock and let that defense rest on the sidelines to get the game rolling.
I am a Big Ten football fan, and I’ve watched Ameer Abdullah play. I like the guy, he’s a tough runner, but he will struggle against this Chicago Bears defense.
That defensive front will be licking their chops if he gets his hands on the ball. That means the Lions will have to rely on their passing game. Again, look for that defensive front to make an impact. They had three sacks against the Chiefs, I think they get three more against Detroit.
My Final Prediction
I feel that the Bears will be 3-3 by the end of next week. Detroit has not looked good, and I think Vic will have his defense prepped and pumped for this game. It would be nice to see Alshon back next week but I don’t think it will happen.
I think Eddie Royal will return to the receiving corp and provide some relief for those lower string guys.
My final score is Chicago 23, Detroit 14.
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