Grading the Bears' win
GAME BALL:
Jamar Williams
With Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs sidelined for just the third time in his career, backup Jamar Williams made his third career start count. The fourth-year veteran entered the game with just 16 tackles this season, but he piled up 13 solos and 5 assists to more than double the next-best Bear. Williams also broke up 2 passes.
QB (2.5 balls)
Ten minutes into the game, Jay Cutler was 4 of 5 for 131 yards - and the only incompletion was a Devin Aromashadu drop. During the final 50 minutes, Cutler went 4 of 12 for 12 yards as he just missed a touchdown pass to Devin Hester but didn't throw downfield much after that. A "dinged" hand contributed to his season-low 17 attempts.
RB (3 balls)
Between Matt Forte and Kahlil Bell, the Bears rushed 35 times for 126 yards and 1 TD. Like most weeks, nothing came easy as Forte's long run was 15 yards. But the important thing is that Forte's 15-yard blast up the middle came with the Bears backed up at their 3-yard line with 5:49 to go and the game in jeopardy.
WR (2.5 balls)
Devin Hester made a terrific play early when he rose between two defensive backs to catch a 48-yard fly down the right side. Earl Bennett turned a medium post into a 71-yard gain, though he had the ball poked away and the fumble rolled out of bounds. Bennett also caught his first TD pass. Hester and Devin Aromashodu made acrobatic grabs, but couldn't get two feet inbounds.
OL (2.5 balls)
Didn't see any smiles from Olin Kreutz after last week's loss at Minnesota, but he was all grins after this one. Chris Williams, making his first start at left tackle, gave up a sack but OC Ron Turner said someone busted an assignment on the help. RT Kevin Shaffer, making his first start, had a false start but the rushing game produced 120 yards. That's the number that counts.
DL (3 balls)
Adewale Ogunleye set the tone with a third-down sack on the Rams' first possession, then he earned 2 more QB hits. Israel Idonije tripped Kyle Boller for another 7-yard loss, while Alex Brown's speed rush forced a holding call that became a net 20-yard loss for St. Louis.
LB (3 balls)
While weak-side man Jamar Williams ran all over the field chasing down Stephen Jackson, Nick Roach made 7 tackles during his relatively limited snaps on the strong side. Hunter Hillenmeyer was so stunned by Kyle Boller's pass thrown right to his chest, he juggled and nearly dropped the fourth-quarter gift interception.
Secondary (3 balls)
Safety Kevin Payne produced 8 tackles and 2 pass breakups in his second start of the year. CB Zack Bowman forced a fumble that Al Afalava returned 43 yards. Backup safety Josh Bullocks forgot his contain responsibility on an off-tackle play, which allowed Rams RB Stephen Jackson to bounce outside for a 23-yard gain.
Special teams (1 ball)
Incredibly, St. Louis punter Donnie Jones averaged 45.3 yards per punt but enjoyed a 45.7-yard net because of the Bears' punt-return follies. Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett each muffed a punt, while Devin Hester lost 3 yards on his lone return. Kudos to Brad Maynard for making a solid tackle to end a 30-yard punt return.
Coaching (2.5 balls)
The offensive staff saw the St. Louis safeties like to be aggressive, so the Bears ran the ball on the first two plays and then went play-action for the 48-yard bomb to Devin Hester. Credit, too, to the defensive staff as the Bears kept a team out of the end zone for the first time since-last year's win over the Rams. Demerits for the fake field-goal call that went splat in the second quarter.