Offense
C-
The Bears sputtered in the first half despite an average starting field position of their own 42, managing just three field goals. Kyle Orton was sacked three times in the half and picked off twice. He improved in the second half and finished with a career-high 268 passing yards, including six completions for 124 yards to his new top receiver, Brandon Lloyd. Matt Forte rushed the ball 27 times for 89 yards but made his biggest contribution as a receiver with a team-high seven catches for 66 yards.
Defense
C-
Would have been an A based on four turnovers, including three interceptions, and limiting the Bucs’ potent rushing attack to 47 yards on 17 attempts. But the Bears allowed former teammate Brian Griese to throw for a career-best 407 yards, 315 coming in the second half and overtime. The defense didn’t have a sack. And cornerback Charles Tillman’s unnecessary roughness penalty had a major impact on the outcome. Nathan Vasher got beat by Antonio Bryant on a 38-yard pass play that helped set up the game-winning field goal. Hunter Hillenmeyer couldn’t catch up with Jerramy Stevens on the game-tying touchdown.
Special teams
B-
In Devin Hester’s absence, Danieal Manning proved he is no slouch, returning four kickoffs for 108 yards (27-yard average), including a 46-yarder. Vasher didn’t have as much success as a punt returner with three returns for 25 yards. Robbie Gould had three field goals but missed one from 49 yards. Jamar Williams picked up a 15-yard taunting penalty early in the game. The coverage units were solid overall.
Coaching
C-
Late in the first half, the Bears faced third-and-1 from their 44-yard line and had Orton throw a short slant to Lloyd rather than opting to pound Forte up the middle. The questionable call was nullified when a direct snap to Garrett Wolfe was called on fourth down, resulting in Wolfe’s 38-yard sprint. On the same drive, the Bears ran Forte on third-and-3 from the Bucs’ 11 when a short pass appeared to be a better option and had to settle for a half-ending field goal. The decision to let Orton go down the field more to Lloyd could help in the long run. In overtime, the defense got caught sleeping when nobody lined up to cover tight end Alex Smith, who picked up 9 yards on the play.
