Offense
Offensive line
Another defense was unable to get to Orton consistently with pressure thanks to solid protection (two sacks) from a line that faced eight men up much of the game. Guards Terrence Metcalf and Roberto Garza and center Olin Kreutz kept the interior of the Lions’ defense off Orton and helped backs average 4.0 per carry. Grade: B
Receivers
Muhammad’s 23-yard leaping TD catch capped an epic drive that included Mark Bradley’s 54-yard catch-and-run and a key third-down pickup by Desmond Clark. Bradley was in a breakout game when he suffered a game-ending knee sprain in the second quarter. Justin Gage contributed a 25-yard catch in relief and a key catch for 22 to get the Bears out of a hole in the final minute. Grade: B+
Quarterback
Kyle Orton shook off some early hits and took another step in his development, using the field and his own mobility to create a moving pocket. Orton missed an open Muhsin Muhammad on a couple of big plays but his play-fakes continue to improve and his ability to freeze or misdirect the Detroit defense was a huge piece of the offense’s success. Another zero-turnover game from the offense’s most important position. Grade: B+
Running backs
Thomas Jones rushed for 72 yards, but his greatest contribution may have been to stretch the ball out of the end zone to avoid a first-quarter safety that then allowed the Bears to begin their 99-yard, turning-point drive. Marc Edwards’ catch on a fourth-down conversion translated into a FG three plays later. Cedric Benson rushed for 35 yards in OT. Grade: B
Defense
Secondary
Charles Tillman’s OT interception decided the game, and he and Nathan Vasher held Mike Williams without a catch through most of three quarters and to three for the game. Tillman (seven tackles) broke up an end-zone pass to Scottie Vines in the third quarter. Grade: A-
Linebackers
Brian Urlacher had seven tackles in the first half and finished with a game-high 11. Lance Briggs had a couple of bad plays in the Lions’ third-quarter TD drive but combined with Hunter Hillenmeyer (seven tackles) to take away some of the steam from Detroit running. Grade: A-
Defensive line
Alex Brown’s first sack of the season came at a critical point in the fourth quarter. Tank Johnson effectively ended Detroit’s first possession with his third sack in two games, and the line led a turnaround that held the Lions without a first down on straight possessions after a go-ahead FG and let the offense regain momentum. Grade: A-
Special teams
Special teams won virtually every matchup. Robbie Gould booted FGs of 38 and 20 yards and contributed a monster hit on a kickoff return. Brad Maynard’s calf clearly is not 100 percent as he averaged 35.8 on eight punts, but he dropped three inside the Detroit 20. Jerry Azumah kickoff returns established field position and momentum. Grade: B+
Coaching
Play design took the game away from a very good Detroit defense just often enough and expanded the scope of attack with Orton. Run defense was effective when needed and took away momentum after Detroit’s fast start. Special teams created big returns with solid blocking assignments. Grade: A-
