Do run run
The Bears ran the ball a season-high 38 times, and their offense looked more like the offense most of us envisioned. Matt Forte had his second best running game of the season with 91 yards. The running game was aided by some down-the-field pass plays. Jay Cutler found Devin Hester on a 48-yard completion and hooked up with Earl Bennett for a 74-yard play, and going deep helped draw a pass interference penalty that was good for another 35 yards. With Cutler’s hand banged up late in the game, the Bears finished off the Rams on the ground.
Less offensive line
With Chris Williams at left tackle and Kevin Shaffer at right, the Bears’ offensive line gave Cutler ample time to throw on most plays and blocked for the run reasonably well. Williams is a natural left tackle and appears more comfortable on that side. Shaffer, meanwhile, showed his veteran savvy on the right side. It will be interesting to see what happens when and if Orlando Pace is ready to return from his groin pull. Don’t be surprised if Williams never plays another snap at right tackle.
Yes Virginia, there is a defense
What do you know, the Bears can stop somebody. There was that one ugly 88-yard drive at the end of the first half, but other than that the Bears’ defense was pretty solid. They “held” the gifted Steven Jackson to 112 rushing yards, came up with two takeaways and prevented the Rams from converting third-down opportunities on 12 of 14 chances. The defense was not put in ideal positions, as seven St. Louis drives began on the Rams’ 40-yard line or better. But they surrendered only nine points.
Momentum builder?
Nobody was talking about running the table just yet, but the Bears hope to use what happened Sunday as a starting point for the rest of the season. If they can build on this game and carry over their confidence Sunday against the Packers, they will feel much better about themselves than they did for beating the Rams. Then again, if they fall back into their old habits against Green Bay, what happened against the Rams will be written off as a close win against a terrible opponent.
