Chicago Bears Overcome Buffalo Bills Passing Attack: Assessing the Critical Win
Published by Andrew Chadwick on November 7, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears emerged victorious in Week 9 following a close game against the plucky Buffalo Bills in front of a sparse, Bears-friendly crowd at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Beneath the dome, Chicago employed a balanced attack and improved passing game to outscore a Bills team that, at times, manhandled the Bears’ secondary.
This important victory ended Chicago’s two-game losing streak before a crucial divisional matchup against the rival Minnesota Vikings next week at Soldier Field.
Assessing the Bears Offense
As the Bears coaches promised, Chicago stuck with the run most of the afternoon. On 26 attempts (excludes QB runs), Chicago, managed a paltry 2.5 yards per carry against a Bills team determined to stop the run.
Nevertheless, sticking to the running game, despite its minimal production, kept the Bears two-dimensional and allowed Chicago to keep defenders on their toes, unlike in previous games, where the Bears completely abandoned the run late in the game.
Chicago must improve its run production this season to compete with the NFL’s elite teams. It is unclear whether it was the blocking or the running backs that are responsible for the poor production.
But, on two occasions, Chris Williams, the embattled young lineman, was dominated by Bills’ NT Kyle Williams.
The fearsome NT broke up at least two running plays in the backfield. The running game will face an even bigger challenge against the Williams boys of Minnesota next week.
As for the passing game, Chicago excelled behind a more balanced attack. Displaying better patience and vision, Bears QB Jay Cutler, had an excellent afternoon, passing for 188 yards, two TDs, and most importantly, no interceptions.
Exactly the type of performance he needed following his disastrous outing against the Redskins two weeks ago, when Cutler threw four interceptions.
Cutler also benefited from improved pass blocking, as he was sacked only once. Credit Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice for installing, what he called, a zone-blocking scheme that produced Chicago’s best pass blocking performance of the season.
And when pass blocking broke down, Cutler displayed his athleticism and gashed the Bills for 39 yards on five attempts, adding another dimension to Chicago’s offense.
Not all went well for the passing game. At times, Cutler displayed poor mechanics that degraded his accuracy.
For instance, in the first half, he missed a wide-open Matt Forte on the sideline for what should have been an easy touchdown. Similarly, he missed WR Devin Aromashodu on a wide-open crossing route in the second quarter.
On two occasions, he threw into double coverage, just narrowly avoiding interceptions. This, however, is Cutler’s style of play.
He’s a boom-or-bust quarterback in the mold of Brett Favre or Ben Roethlisberger, both of whom are fearless passers that have won some big games but have also been responsible for big losses.
Credit Mike Martz for calling a good game. He stuck with the run, and like the Bills, used quick passes to counteract the blitz. He also mixed in some of his trademark trickery and creativity.
On one play, he motioned WR Earl Bennett into the backfield for a successful toss play that netted five yards and a first down.
Later, on the two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter, he called for a shovel pass that put the Bears up by three points.
After two weeks of terrible offensive production, Martz rebounded with a good game in Buffalo.
Assessing the Bears Defense
Defensively, this was not Chicago’s best performance. In the first quarter, Chicago successfully stymied the Bills’ running duo of CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson. On back-to-back plays in the first quarter, a healthy Lance Briggs stuffed the run.
Chicago’s iron-clad run defense forced the Bills’ to become one-dimensional and spread their offense out in the passing game.
On pass defense, Chicago struggled throughout the afternoon, as Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick moved the ball effortlessly through an assault of short to intermediate passes that neutralized the Bears’ speedy defensive ends and blitzers.
As was the case against Seattle, Julius Peppers disappeared in a match-up that he should have dominated.
With time to pass, Fitzpatrick, for most of the afternoon, demonstrated poise and accuracy in the pocket, picking on a pedestrian Chicago secondary to compile 299 yards through the air.
Fortunately for the Bears, their pass defense hardened in the fourth quarter. CB Tim Jennings had a beautiful, leaping interception on a poorly timed Fitzpatrick pass down the right sideline.
The turnover set up a Chicago scoring drive that put the Bears back in control. On the following two drives for the Bills, pressure from Idonije and Henry Melton killed their chances for a comeback.
As for the coaches, Ron Marinelli appeared at a loss on how to counter the Bills passing attack. However, late the in second half, he dialed up blitzes that finally disrupted Fitzpatrick’s timing, forcing him into two interceptions.
Marinelli, like Martz on offense, has shown an ability to adapt as the game evolves, something the Bears’ defense has lacked in recent memory.
Players of the Game
Offensively, the player of the game was QB Jay Cutler, who efficiently and effectively moved the ball on the Bills defense for two touchdowns. His mobility added an extra dimension to the Bears offense that the Bills were unprepared to handle.
Throughout the game, he demonstrated courage, as he bounced back following his horrendous performance against Washington in Week 7. Cutler’s resiliency is impressive.
In front of friends and family, Israel Idonije earned the defensive player of the game award. He was the best defensive lineman of the game.
His pressure on Fitzpatrick on a fourth down passing attempt during the second to last Bills’ drive played a pivotal role in sealing the victory. He also had a blocked extra point attempt that preserved a Bears lead heading into the half.
Important Stats
Against Buffalo, Chicago exorcised some nasty demons. Heading into the game, Chicago was at the bottom of the league in third down conversions, they were scoreless in the third quarter, and they were unable to punch the ball in on the goal line.
Chicago overcame all three of these enduring challenges in Toronto. The Bears converted 58 percent of their third downs (7/12), and in the third quarter, scored a goal line touchdown thanks to a 1-yard run by RB Chester Taylor.
Defeating these three demons will help Chicago put this season back on the right track.
Implications
This was an important victory for Chicago. Even though Buffalo is winless this year, they are a solid, up-and-coming team that has played tough games against some of the NFL’s elite franchises, including New England and Baltimore.
Moreover, Chicago’s season was on the precipice of disaster heading into the bye; they were unable to stop the blitz, Cutler had turnover fever again, and their offensive coordinator obsessively favored the pass. All signs were pointing to another season of mediocrity.
Today, however, Chicago bucked the trend, while enjoying a productive day on offense. Defensively, they coalesced late in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory.
With renewed confidence and formula for success, Chicago has recaptured some confidence and momentum heading into a winnable divisional matchup against the uneven Minnesota Vikings.
Although they still have numerous obstacles to overcome (stagnant running game and average pass defense), Chicago has the talent and personnel in place to compete with the best of the NFC this year.
If Chicago can remain productive on offense and continue its excellent defensive play, look for Chicago to earn its first playoff berth since 2006.
Question to readers: Who do you think were the offensive and defensive players of the game?
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