Bears Blitz

Published by Ross Read on September 8, 2013
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

It was second-half adjustments by Marc Trestman and laser throws by Jay Cutler that allowed the Bears to win this game. The Bears cashed in on a few costly mistakes by the Bengals, which led to two second-half touchdowns and a win. 

Final Score

Bears: 24

Bengals: 21

Chicago Bears Final Analysis

Passing Offense: Cutler was very smart with his ball placement in the second half. The offensive line gave him time and Cutler carved up the Bengals late. There were some great grabs by Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett. 

Passing Defense: The coverage on A.J. Green over the top wasn’t great, but the Bears made sure he was the only Bengal who would beat them. The pass rush must improve. There was only one sack from the defense. 

Rushing Offense: It was a tough game for Matt Forte. He was never able to get going on the ground because the offensive line did not get a good push. Michael Bush did a nice job in running out the clock in the end. 

Rushing Defense: The run defense was outstanding all game long. Neither BenJarvus Green-Ellis nor Giovani Bernard could get going. Stephen Paea did a great job up front, as did the linebackers, all game long. 

Special Teams: Robbie Gould’s career-long 58-yard field goal proved to be the difference. Nice punting by Adam Podlesh to help the Bears win the battle of field position all game long. 

Coaching: Marc Trestman’s offense and Mel Tucker’s defense both started a little shaky. It was their second-half adjustments that allowed the Bears to come back and win this game. It started with the call by Trestman to go for the field goal before the half. His call on fourth down to lead to the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter was outstanding as well. 

Chicago Bears First-Half Analysis

Passing Offense: Jay Cutler was efficient and did a nice job of taking care of the football. The touchdown catch by Martellus Bennett was outstanding. It would be nice to see them take some shots down field. 

Passing Defense: A.J. Green torched the secondary with over 100 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. Where has the help from the safeties over the top been? The two interceptions by Charles Tillman helped, but it still wasn’t very pretty.  

Rushing Offense: Matt Forte has not been able to get much of anything going. The offensive line has not gotten a good push on this Bengals defensive line. 

Rushing Defense: The rush defense is solid as usual. Neither Benjarvus Green-Ellis nor Giovani Bernard has been able to get much of anything going. 

Special Teams: It’s been a heavy dose of Adam Podlesh early on, who has done a nice job pinning the Bengals deep a couple of times. An outstanding kick at the end of the half by Robbie Gould nailed a career-long field goal. 

Coaching: There are two glaring issues on both sides of the ball. Mel Tucker has not found a way to give the corners help on A.J. Green over the top and Marc Trestman hasn’t tested this Bengals secondary down field. 

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