Bears’ Marshall roasts Jaguars to a crisp
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It was a triumphant return to the Sunshine State for Brandon Marshall, who spent the past two seasons in Miami with the Dolphins and played collegiately at Central Florida.
“It was a hot one,” Marshall said of the oppressive humidity at EverBank Field. “When the sun went down it was great. I’ve lived here almost my whole (adult) life, and I’m still not used to it. I have Bear blood in me now.”
Marshall already had two 100-yard games going into Sunday’s action, but his 12-catch, 144-yard effort was his most productive day as a Bear. It included his third TD catch of the season, a 24-yarder midway through the fourth quarter. On a single third-quarter scoring drive he had 5 catches for 37 yards. He was targeted 17 times by quarterback Jay Cutler.
“They brought me here to be a No. 1 receiver,” Marshall said, “but in this offense we have the ability to game plan around different guys.”
Marshall had a relatively modest 4 catches for 44 yards in the first half, when he felt like cornerback Derek Cox got the best of him.
“He honestly beat me in the first half,” Marshall said. “He won that half and really humbled me.”
Hand to hand:
Rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery left the game with a right hand injury after his 10-yard TD catch on the first play of the fourth quarter, and it could be serious.
“Alshon Jeffery has a hand injury,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We don’t know the extent of the injury right now, but he couldn’t finish the game, so we’ll continue to monitor it.”
It’s possible Jeffery could have a fracture, and he was unable to button his shirt following the game. Through four weeks, Jeffery led all rookies with 164 receiving yards, and he added 2 catches for 20 yards against the Jaguars.
The Bears were already without veteran wide receiver Earl Bennett because of a hand injury, but he is expected back after this week’s bye.
Sack attack:
Defensive end Corey Wootton’s 2 sacks give him 3½ for the season, trailing only Henry Melton’s 4 for tops on the team.
“I’m definitely getting faster every week just from watching film and trying to get work on my get off,” he said. “It’s a combination of getting good jumps on the ball and wiring in to my keys.”
By the numbers:
The Bears are now 8-2 the following week after playing on Monday Night Football under Lovie Smith, including 7-0 following a Monday night game on the road. ... In three games against the Jaguars, Brandon Marshall has 28 catches for 375 yards. ... Since 2004, the Bears’ defense is No. 1 in the NFL in takeaways (280), three-and-outs forced (445), third-down percentage (33.8) and opponents red zone scoring efficiency (79.4).
Sitting it out:
Wide receiver Earl Bennett, who practiced on a limited basis Friday and was listed as “questionable,” was inactive for the second straight week. The other inactives were running back Kahlil Bell, fullback Evan Rodriguez, guard Edwin Williams, offensive tackle Chris Williams, defensive tackle Nate Collins and defensive end Cheta Ozougwu.
Defensive tackle Matt Toeaina was active for the first time since the season opener.