Offense
OFFENSIVE LINE
Bears kept a dominating front seven at bay. Blitzes failed to reach Orton with any regularity, and the run game achieved just enough on a day of poor conditions.
GRADE B
RECEIVERS
Tight end Desmond Clark continued to make an impact. And with Baltimore doubling Muhsin Muhammad, Mark Bradley made catches despite crushing hits by Ray Lewis and the Ravens secondary.
GRADE B
QUARTERBACK
Kyle Orton missed several deep throws early to Mark Bradley but settled into a rhythm against one of the NFL’s best defenses. His play-fake on the TD pass to Marc Edwards was key. His accuracy is still not there, but Orton took a step forward by checking off.
GRADE B
RUNNING BACKS
Thomas Jones sealed the game with his 42-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter. Edwards caught a 9-yard TD pass in the first quarter, his second touchdown catch of the season. Jones and Edwards both blocked well.
GRADE A-
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brad Maynard shook off the effects of his strained calf and pinned the
Ravens at their 5 in the first quarter and at the 9 in the third quarter. Robbie Gould converted a 23-yard FG but missed from 47 yards in miserable conditions.
GRADE C+
COACHING
Play design on Edwards’ TD catch was ingenious. Defensive rotations exploited matchup advantages and special teams exercised caution when called for under dangerous conditions, avoiding turnovers.
GRADE A-
Defense
SECONDARY
Nathan Vasher had a team-high eight tackles. Coverage contributed to the four sacks by the defensive line, and Baltimore receivers never managed to beat the Bears deep.
GRADE B+
LINEBACKERS
Hunter Hillenmeyer again provided strong run support as he and Lance Briggs had 5 tackles each to go with 6 for Brian Urlacher.
GRADE B+
DEFENSIVE LINE
The Bears’ front shut down Jamal Lewis and let LBs and DBs flow to the ball. Adewale Ogunleye picked up his third sack of the season. Michael Haynes and Alfonso Boone combined for a sack in the fourth quarter. Tank Johnson blocked a pass, then sacked Anthony Wright on the next play.
GRADE A-
