Book it: Bennett makes plays

DETROIT -- During the span of a three-minute postgame interview, Earl Bennett mentioned his desire “just to make plays” eight times.

The third-year wide receiver probably didn't realize it, but he uttered his phrase that pays once for each play he made during the Bears' 24-20 victory Sunday at Ford Field.

Bennett caught a career-high-tying 7 passes for a career-best 104 yards and also handled one Wildcat-formation snap during the game.

It's hard to overemphasize how important Bennett was to the Bears' efforts or how efficiently he played.

Jay Cutler targeted Bennett with 8 of his 26 throws. The only one he didn't catch? Detroit tackle Ndamukong Suh batted the third-down pass at the line.

“I just try to be quarterback-friendly and just try to be in the right position every time, just in case he needs me,” Bennett said. “I definitely want Jay to be able to trust me, no matter what route I'm running.”

Almost every time the offensive line allowed Cutler to make throws on third down, he trusted Bennett with the ball.

Starting with the Bears' second series, when Bennett caught a short pass on third-and-9 and stretched the ball just beyond the first-down marker, he kept converting.

Later in the same drive, which concluded with Chester Taylor's 1-yard touchdown run, Bennett wriggled free for a 14-yard curl on third-and-8.

On the next drive, Bennett snagged a quick slant on third-and-1 and carried tacklers for a 33-yard gain. On the next play, Matt Forte swept 14 yards for a score.

I mean, (the slant) was open,” Bennett said. “You take what the defense gives you sometimes. Just try to make the run out of the catch and I made big yards.

“It's just, whatever's called, you run it and ‘J.C.' is going to get it to you.”

In the fourth quarter, Cutler and Bennett hooked up one last time on third down. Cutler's 12-yard slant on third-and-4 set up the eventual game-winning touchdown.

The Bears converted 5 of 9 third downsy four to Bennett.

Perhaps that's coincidence, but more likely it's the product of the long relationship between Cutler and Bennett that began in 2005 at Vanderbilt.

“Sometimes I think people take it too far,” Bennett said. “But at the same time, it's great to have a relationship with Jay prior to playing in the NFL because he knows where I'm going to be and he has confidence in me and I have confidence in him.”

You know, to make plays.

“He's probably one of the best guys on the team, one of my dear personal friends,” Cutler said. “I'd do anything for the guy. On the field, he's a fierce competitor ... he's a guy that it's hard to just classify him as a receiver or something like that.

“He's a football player. He can do anything for you, which makes it fun.”