Tillman Jeffrey Beall-Flickr
After a disastrous Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Chicago Bears seem to have found themselves again. Last night’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers was not only much needed but full of excitement and reasons for optimism by both fans and the team alike. However, as impressive as it was, the game wasn’t without its problems either. So, without further delay, here’s what we saw:
Monsters Rising: Last night saw the Chicago defense make a giant step forward from Week 1. In their first game, they were crushed for almost 200-yards on the ground but last night they held Frank Gore to a mere 63-yards. Colin Kaepernick still grabbed another 66 on the ground but one step at a time here. The team struggled with the pass rush in the first game as well and that has changed too. Jared Allen, who was almost invisible in the first game, had off 3 solo tackles in addition to causing a big fumble. Willie Young continued his success grabbing 4 solo tackles and sacking the elusive Kaepernick twice, treating us to his fishing sack dance which may be the greatest celebration in the NFL. The linebackers stepped their game up as well, with Shea McClellin making major strides in his read option recognition as well as getting a sack for himself and Lance Briggs looking resurgent with 6 solo stops. All this improvement up front made life a little easier for a secondary that was hung out to dry against the Bills. Chris Conte came out of nowhere for his second interception in as many weeks, Charles Tillman had a pick that was later ruled a trap upon review, and 1st round draft pick Kyle Fuller made a huge splash taking 2 more from Kaepernick. The defense looked more like the Monster’s of the Midway we haven’t seen since Lovie Smith left and Brian Urlacher retired, which is a refreshing change for sure.
Return of Good Jay: Turnovers are something Jay Cutler knows about all too well. Bad Jay showed up against Buffalo throwing 2-interceptions which accounted for 10 of the Bills points in that game. However, the Good Jay was back against San Francisco. He played smartly and aggressively, completing 23 of 34 for 176-yards, 4-touchdowns, and zero-interceptions. While he played intelligently the entire game, though much of his success came after he took a nasty hit to the sternum with the crown of 49ers’ lineman Quinton Dial‘s helmet. Down 17 to nothing at the time, it was a defining victory for Jay Cutler, but he didn’t do it alone. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery played injured and both looked a step or 2 slower on their routes struggling to draw focus away from healthy weapons Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett. However, on a late second quarter drive that resulted in the Bears first points of the game Marshall showed us why, even when injured, he’s still one of the best in the business by making a one-handed grab in the end zone for what has to be an early contender for catch of the year. Jeffery still managed 3 catches for 47-yards but it became obvious that he was having difficulty competing with the corners who could sit on him more often than not. During the second half, the coaches and players made a simple but brilliant adjustment. Instead of trying to hit the receivers in stride as usual, Marshall and Jeffery began using double moves, body position, and stops in their routes to out maneuver the Defensive backs. It seems like an obvious change but it shows an adaptability that really wasn’t present the week prior. Marshall finished with 2 more touchdowns and 48-yards but Forte and Bennett were not as lucky. Forte was constantly keyed on, only gaining 27 total yards and Bennett didn’t fare much better with 37-yards but did manage to grab a touchdown. Regardless, it was the improvement by Cutler that made it possible, and a come from behind victory against a quality team like San Francisco is one of the best of his career.
Far From Perfect: The game was not without blemishes. Personnel decisions have left the Bears without a fullback as they released Tony Fiametta whose presence could have made life a little easier for Forte last night. The Bears also cut Kelvin Hayden, for the second time this year, leaving only 4 Cornerbacks available. With Tillman being lost for the season, and possibly for good, following an injury to the same triceps that ended his 2013 campaign it leaves only Sherrick McManis, Tim Jennings and Fuller. With the NFL as pass happy as it is today more defensive backs is probably better and Chicago is going to have to make some smart decisions here. The other glaring issue is the once strong special teams unit which looked terrible and showed how badly it missed the veteran role players it lost this off season. The group was penalized on the opening kick return and buried the injury riddled offense deep in their own territory. After 3 plays that went nowhere the punt unit allowed a block that set up an easy opening score for 49ers. Senorise Perry hasn’t done much in the returner role either as the rookie is having trouble fielding kicks at times and not getting much support from the rest of the unit. All not only hurts the good field position that made the Chicago offense so dangerous in 2013 but could be a handicap if it doesn’t improve quickly. Chicago has until Monday to rest up and fix things before they face the New York Jets, who took the Green Bay Packers to the limit on Sunday.
Chris Kazmierczak is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on twitter or Facebook.