OFFENSE
B
Brian Griese was effective in the first half, going 14-for-22 for 132 yards. But he threw two interceptions in the second half, and the offense could have used him picking up a yard and not fumbling on fourth down at Minnesota’s 44 late in the first half. Against one of the NFL’s stoutest run defenses (62 ypg), the Bears schemed to create running opportunities that Cedric Benson turned into some solid gains and a 5.1 average in the first half.
DEFENSE
D-
Missed tackles, particularly by the safeties, helped the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson to 224 rushing yards, his fourth 100-yard game in five as an NFL running back. Adam Archuleta was beaten badly by Troy Williamson for a 60-yard TD catch and missed a tackle, as did Brandon McGowan, on Peterson’s 73-yard score, while Danieal Manning went for a strip instead of the tackle on Peterson’s 35-yard TD run. Lance Briggs had several crucial stops for losses. Alex Brown had a sack but also was victimized by being sealed inside on the big Peterson run, and the line left too much of the run burden to the linebackers and defensive backs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
D+
They were average, but it was an “average” with one hand in the oven, the other in the freezer. Another Devin Hester signature touchdown return was a spectacular, potentially game-altering start, and the punt team forced four fair catches of Brad Maynard punts inside the 20 to go with two touchbacks. Robbie Gould converted his only field-goal try, tying the game in the fourth quarter. But the kickoff coverage was increasingly deficient, failing to force any Minnesota possession to start inside the 25, getting no chance at recovering an onside kick and giving up a 53-yard run-back to Peterson with the game on the line. Players uncharacteristically failed to get off blocks and to the ball.
COACHING
B-
Dave Toub will be questioned for kicking off to Peterson, but a scheme was in place and the fault was more with execution. Toub’s tutoring of Hester on punts kicked beyond coverage was key in Hester electing to field and return the first punt 89 yards for a score. Ron Turner’s play-calling had the Minnesota defense off balance early, using two tight ends repeatedly and changing personnel effectively.
Leaving an effective Benson on the sideline for too long in the second quarter was suspect, but the playcalling to get Hester loose for his TD catch was creative. Bob Babich could have used 15 players on defense, but nothing would have compensated for the poor tackling.
