LeGere: Bears look to build some momentum
With the opportunity to build momentum off a win for the first time in more than a month, the Bears set about the task of preparing for Lovie Smith's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hoping to stack wins for the first time in two months.
In the 21-13 victory over Minnesota, there were a number of accomplishments that could serve as building blocks.
For the first time this season, quarterback Jay Cutler wasn't sacked, an impressive accomplishment against a Vikings defense that came in leading the NFL in sack percentage.
It also was unexpected given that the Bears had allowed 16 sacks in the previous five games. That strength-vs.-weakness matchup made keeping Cutler clean a priority throughout the week of preparation.
"We went to work to try to neutralize the pass rush and did that in various ways with our passing game and our ability to slam some runs in there," coach Marc Trestman said. "The guys did a good job; Jay did a good job of managing the protection side of it as well, getting us into the right plays."
Veteran left tackle Jermon Bushrod handled the task of containing Vikings right end Everson Griffen, who came in with 9 sacks, second best in the NFC, and left town with the same number.
The Bears also occasionally moved Cutler off his usual spot in the pocket so that the Vikings' pass rush had to adjust to a moving target.
"We did get three or four plays out of some movement," Trestman said, "and it did help neutralize some of the pass rush and give him a different passing spot."
A season-high 26 carries (for 117 yards) by Matt Forte had the desired effect of keeping the Vikings' pass rush at bay. It was the most carries in a game by Forte since he had the same number in Week 7 of the 2009 season, the sixth of Smith's nine years as Bears head coach.
Forte's only game with more carries came in the third week of his rookie season in 2008, when he had 27 for 89 yards.
Having surrendered 684 passing yards in their previous two games against Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, along with 11 touchdown passes, the Bears' defense allowed the Vikings just 147 yards through the air and 1 TD pass.
It helped that they were facing rookie Teddy Bridgewater instead of future Hall of Famers, but the unit improved on fundamental tasks that could serve as a foundation for continued success.
"No. 1, it helped to stop the run," Trestman said. "We were able to force Bridgewater to throw from the pocket. We were able to get a good rush, a consistent rush, a level rush, (that) eliminated his ability to scramble and kept him in the pocket."
Aside from Andrew Sendejo's 48-yard run off a fake punt, the Vikings had 48 yards on 15 attempts.
That helped the defense turn in by far its best effort of the season on third downs. The Vikings converted just 2 of 11 for an 18 percent efficiency rate. The Bears' previous best was when they held Atlanta to a 30.8 percent success rate in Week 6.
Forcing Bridgewater to check down to underneath receivers helped, but better tackling also was a factor.
"Longer yardage certainly helps," Trestman said. "(It's) keeping everything in front of them and then rallying to the football. They did a good job of getting to the football after reading Bridgewater. He got it out, then we collected to the ball, we got a net around the football, and (we) tackled."
The Bears probably didn't earn any style points with Sunday's win, but it's a start.
"It was a little rough, and we still had a slow start," wide receiver Brandon Marshall said Monday, noting the early 10-0 deficit. "It still wasn't good enough, but we got the win, and we're going to enjoy it."
Marshall paused, then added: "I guess we're done enjoying it. We got back to work today and watched film, and we really held each other accountable and focused on how we can continue to get better and build off it."
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