Running in place
Both Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson scored touchdowns and the running game finally resembled one with 107 yards and a 4.9-per-carry average. But why can’t a supposed power-running team gain 2 inches on a game-turning fourth-and-1 in a close game? Why did Benson carry the ball only 11 times (for 89 yards) after gaining 63 on his first two carries? That’s on offensive coordinator Ron Turner, who didn’t take advantage of Benson’s quick start.
Good-enough Rex
Rex Grossman made one big mistake — losing a fumble when stripped from behind with 5:43 left in the game. That will fuel Grossman critics, who will say the quarterback didn’t learn anything and was up to his old tricks. Be fair. The Bears didn’t lose because of Grossman’s turnover. They lost because their margin for error is too thin to overcome such a mistake. They lost because of poor pass protection, bad penalties, questionable play-calling and a sieve-like secondary.
‘D’ as in disappointment
The Seahawks’ 30-point performance was a clinic in the West Coast offense. Seattle didn’t have much of a running game — and didn’t need one. Not with the Bears’ secondary allowing receivers so much room. Matt Hasselbeck began the day picking on cornerback Charles Tillman but worked his way through the Bears’ secondary. Hasselbeck is what the Bears want Grossman to be and the Bears’ defense clearly isn’t what it once was after blowing a 10-0 lead.
Not just players
Offensively, Turner had reason to get Peterson some carries but didn’t offer a good explanation for why Benson never got the ball more after a fast start. Defensively, a Bears defensive back said afterward that Hasselbeck was picking up their blitz calls. Coach Lovie Smith didn’t like being asked about the difference in game plans or the team’s feint playoff pulse. But like it or not, Smith and his staff coached the Bears into this 4-6 hole and will have to coach their way out of it.
