OFFENSE
F
Failing to score any points on five drives starting from the Bears’ 35 or closer was a compendium of disaster. Brian Griese completed 22 of 40 passes for 208 yards and threw four interceptions, all in Detroit territory, three in the end zone. The Lions dropped fewer Griese passes than did the receivers and backs, who had 10 by unofficial count and destroyed multiple opportunities for first downs. The offensive line and the blocking backs were beaten for two sacks and seven quarterback hits. Greg Olsen, with a touchdown and six catches, was one of the few positives in a weak performance against a defense ranked 30th in yardage and 29th in points allowed.
DEFENSE
D
Pressure from the front four kept the Bears alive in the first half, as Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye contributed sacks, as did Lance Briggs on a blitz. But missed first-half interceptions by Danieal Manning and Charles Tillman were costly. Tommie Harris recorded a sack in the fourth quarter but committed an ill-advised encroachment penalty on a fourth-and-goal that created a fresh set of downs. Tackling and coverage in the secondary remain at crisis levels, as four Detroit receivers had at least one catch of 23 yards. The absences of Nathan Vasher and Mike Brown look more and more significant.
SPECIAL TEAMS
C-
Robbie Gould’s first-quarter field-goal miss from 40 yards at the end of a long, methodical drive was a letdown and changed the momentum. The Bears did not challenge again in the half, and Detroit scored on three of its next four possessions. Devin Hester’s 39-yard punt return midway through the third quarter immediately energized the entire stadium. Brad Maynard put three of five punts inside the Detroit 20. Kickoff coverage wasn’t needed very often but allowed only a 19-yard return, while the Bears had excellent position after kickoffs despite the quirky Detroit alignments.
COACHING
D
Not going for at least a heave toward the end zone from their own 40 on the final play of the first half had a timid feel, and questions now abound as to whether Griese can throw 60 yards accurately. His interceptions suggested he couldn’t. Cedric Benson was given the ball just three times in the second half, though he gained 21 yards on those attempts. The Bears ran just five times in the second half and used 24 pass plays despite struggling for accuracy. Special teams faced several unorthodox anti-Hester looks from Detroit, but the Bears were generally prepared.
