McGahee McGrounded
This was supposed to be the middle of a three-game run against elite running backs. But one week after Shaun Alexander missed the Seattle game due to injury, the Bears made Willis McGahee wish he had stayed home too. He looked ordinary, gaining just 50 yards on 14 carries against an energized defense. Edgerrin James, up next, might be dreading the Bears’ visit to Arizona.
Rexstasy
Watch the highlight replay of Rex Grossman’s 15-yard TD pass to Rashied Davis. Notice the way Grossman flicks his wrist under pressure and releases a dart off his back foot exactly where he wants. That’s why the Bears kept insisting Grossman was worth the wait. A 62-yard pass to Bernard Berrian was more evidence. And Grossman took some hits that used to make fans hold their breath.
Two for the show
When Thomas Jones re-entered the game with the No. 2 offense in the fourth quarter, he was 5 yards shy of 100. Lovie Smith allowed him to validate another steady game by surpassing 100 yards with 109 on 22 carries. As good as Jones was, Cedric Benson gaining 48 yards on 14 carries meant just as much. Super Bowl contenders need two solid backs, and the Bears look like they have them.
Unhappy returns
Many faces and places looked familiar to Dick Jauron as he brought his new team to his old town, but Jauron would not have recognized the Bears’ dominance. He never saw it like this. The Bears didn’t need a measly shutout to confirm that the Bills were outhit, outhustled and outcoached in a game Jauron will remember as a lousy homecoming. If he remembers it at all.
