Grading the Bears
Game ball
LaDainian Tomlinson could not run the ball effectively against the Bears, but he still found a way to win the game for the Chargers. His halfback-option touchdown pass to Antonio Gates put the Chargers ahead for good, and then Tomlinson added his 101st career rushing touchdown to seal the deal.
Ratings - One football (poor) to five footballs (best).
OFFENSE
Quarterback - 2 footballs - No longer expected to be spectacular, Rex Grossman barely completed half his passes (12 of 23). He threw downfield to Bernard Berrian a couple of times in the first half, but his primary responsibility is not to mess up. He threw 1 interception at the goal line and had 1 fumble.
Running back - 1 1/2 footballs - Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson managed just 80 yards on 26 carries and both lost fumbles. Would Thomas Jones have done better?
Wide receivers - 2 footballs - Bernard Berrian had 5 catches for 83 yards, and Muhsin Muhammad had 1 catch that was most impressive for the effort he made after the catch. But no catches for Rashied Davis or Devin Hester.
Offensive line - 2 footballs
Benson had no holes, and Grossman was sacked three times (although twice came from far outside). Is this unit too old?
DEFENSE
Defensive line - 4 footballs
Tommie Harris is definitely back, and the Bears were wise to play Dusty Dvoracek and Darwin Walker a great deal to spell Harris. Two quarterback sacks (Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson) came from the outside of the line. Tomlinson was stopped at the line until the fourth quarter.
Linebackers - 3 footballs
Hunter Hillenmeyer led the team in tackles, but the linebackers didn't change the game. Instead, they played "stuff the line'' to keep L.T. in check.
Defensive backfield - 3 footballs
It took a trick play to beat them, but the Bears sure bit on it. And if Adam Archuleta is coming on every play, that leaves the secondary thin. Mike Brown may have cost the Bears the victory by not going all the way with his interception. Now he is hurt again. Nathan Vasher had a nice sack from the outside.
Special teams - 2 1/2 footballs
Nothing special about them except for Alex Brown's blocked field goal. Brandon McGowan helped turn the tide for San Diego when he allowed a punt to ricochet off his back. The ball was quickly recovered by the Chargers.
Coaching - 2 1/2 footballs -
Let's be fair: the Bears were playing the best team not to make the Super Bowl last year. So the Chargers were fired up. The defense did what it had to do for most of the game, and the offense is still moribund. Do the Bears have the talent on offense, or is the coaching staff to blame for not getting results? The answer to that question will help define the season.