Bears grades
GAME BALL:
Matt Forte
The third-year pro delivered a career-high 166 rushing yards in 22 attempts, but he did most of his damage early as he owned 100 yards and both of his touchdowns less than eight minutes into the game. He also caught 2 passes for a team-high 22 yards.
Quarterback (1 ball)
This week's rating system? We started Todd Collins with 5 balls and took one away with each interception. Before Collins left with two minutes left in the third quarter, he had 6 completions for 32 yards to the Bears and 4 completions for 27 yards to Carolina. Caleb Hanie hit 2 of 3 passes as the Bears stuck to the ground and ran out the clock during his four drives.
Running backs (5 balls)
Forte posted the Bears' first rushing touchdowns since Week 13 of last season. He earned a good chunk of his 166 yards on his own as he turned short off-tackle zone runs into big plays by bouncing outside. Chester Taylor added 43 yards in 18 carries.
Receivers (3 balls)
Since the wide receivers and tight ends had so few chances to catch passes they combined for 4 receptions for 18 yards we'll grade them on their blocking. On Forte's 18-yard TD run on the Bears' first drive, Johnny Knox drove Captain Munnerlyn into the end zone. On Forte's 68-yard cutback for a score on the Bears' next possession, Earl Bennett occupied Munnerlyn long enough for Forte to cut inside and shorten his path to the end zone. Devin Hester dropped one of Collins' few well-thrown balls.
Offensive Line (2 balls)
The Bears re-jiggered their lineup with Edwin Williams at right guard and J'Marcus Webb at right tackle, but still surrendered 3 sacks. Webb had a hold declined on Collins' fourth INT and also picked up a false start. LG Roberto Garza had a hold declined on Collins' third INT. LT Frank Omiyale was flagged for a hold and a false start, but Forte and Taylor did the majority of their damage on the left side.
Defensive Line (5 balls)
What else to say about Julius Peppers? Though he was on his knees, he caught his own deflection for the Bears' first of x interceptions. A little surprising to see the low-key Peppers dramatically shush the crowd after his play. Israel Idonije earned a career-high 3 sacks and hurried Jimmy Clausen on two other occasions. Rookie Corey Wootton made his NFL debut and assisted Briggs on a tackle.
Linebackers (4 balls)
Before leaving with a tweaked ankle, Lance Briggs delivered a sack as part of his 5-tackle afternoon. Brian Urlacher intercepted a richochet off a Panthers receiver's leg. Pisa Tinoisamoa squashed Clausen for a fourth-quarter sack.
Secondary (4 balls)
Peanut Tillman was hit with a pass-interference call in the first quarter, but he avenged it and then some with three pass breakups and then an interception on the game's final play. CB Tim Jennings sniffed out a reverse in second quarter and racked up a 5-yard loss. Danieal Manning broke up and underthrown bomb to Brandon LaFell that should've been a touchdown with five minutes left in the third quarter.
Special teams (4.5 balls)
Robbie Gould boomed a career-long 53-yard field goal to highlight his perfect afternoon. Gould also booted kicks of 43 and 28 yards to move to 10-of-11 for the year. Danieal Manning delivered two excellent returns early, then ran so hard in the third quarter that four Panthers couldn't drag him down. Devin Hester danced down the left sideline for a 50-yard return early, which scared the Panthers into punting out of bounds the rest of the first half.
Coaching (3 balls)
You have to appreciate the Bears' ability to run the ball successfully even though Carolina knew they'd be running. They must have switched up some blocking schemes on the first two drives. Lovie Smith lost another challenge as he tried to overturn the ruling that said Taylor came up just short of the goal line on his 8-yard cutback late in the first quarter.
Lindsey Willhite