Offense
C-
Kyle Orton threw a career-high three touchdown passes, to three different receivers. Devin Hester looked fluid coming back from torn cartilage in his ribs. Rookie Matt Forte got humbled with a 2.6 yards-per-carry average on 18 carries for 46 yards. But his late 10-yard gain on third down was key. The offensive line gave up three sacks. Orton’s production tailed off greatly in the second half as the Bears succumbed to the Eagles’ stingy defense.
Defense
B+
Nothing meant more for the team than the goal-line stand by Alex Brown late in the fourth quarter, coming from the outside to stop Correll Buckhalter on fourth-and-goal at the 1. Bob Babich’s aggressive blitzes were effective early. There were times when the Cover-2 defense backfired as the safeties played too deep and Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb found pockets.
Special teams
C-
Robbie Gould’s 41-yard field goal gave the Bears a late cushion. … Eagles rookie DeSean Jackson fumbled a punt in the second quarter that was recovered by Nick Roach, leading to Orton’s 23-yard TD pass to Marty Booker. … Brad Maynard had a 67-yard punt in the third quarter that pinned the Eagles at their 4-yard line. … Hester wasn’t much of a factor in the return game, though he did have a 51-yard return in the third quarter.
Coaching
C-
One of the best decisions came before the game as the Bears opted to rest defensive tackle Tommie Harris’ ailing left knee. It could be best for Harris and the team in the long run. … Going to Rashied Davis on the first offensive play not only led to a 34-yard pickup, it was a confidence boost for Davis after a couple of drops in previous games. … The offensive play-calling was not nearly as aggressive in the second half, probably due to the Eagles’ defensive adjustments.
