Grading the Bears

GAME BALL: JAY CUTLER

The fifth-year quarterback posted the finest efficiency rating of his career (146.2) as he completed 14 of 21 passes for 247 yards and tied a career high with 4 touchdowns. Of his incompletions, 2 were deliberate throwaways out of the end zone and he argued vociferously (albeit unsuccessfully) for a pass-interference call on a third.

Quarterback (5 balls)

When Cutler chucked his first pass well over Devin Hester's head, it looked like a bad omen. Instead, Cutler proceeded to have the most refined game of his career. His first TD pass to Earl Bennett threaded the needle like few can do. Though he took 4 sacks, he also scrambled 4 times for 19 yards.

Running backs (4 balls)

Matt Forte loosened up the Eagles' defense on the Bears' second possession when he hit a cutback lane and sprinted 61 yards tied for the second-longest jaunt of his career. He added a more impressive 28-yard run in the third quarter when he tightroped the right sideline and somehow maintained balance to cut back to the middle of the field. Chester Taylor couldn't make anything happen on a limited array of plays.

Receivers (4 balls)

Earl Bennett caught 2 touchdown passes for the first time in his career. He went low to snag Cutler's rifled 10-yard touchdown pass in the first. Bennett, Devin Hester and Johnny Knox all earned plenty of yards after the catch while Brandon Manumaleuna even sneaked out of the backfield for a 6-yard catch in the red zone.

Offensive line (3.5 balls)

The Eagles caught the line napping several times in the first half, such as when first-round pick Brandon Graham blew right past rookie RT J'Marcus Webb almost before he got out of his stance for a 9-yard sack. At the same time, LG Chris Williams got in a nice lick on Devin Hester's 39-yard screen. Olin Kreutz and Roberto Garza didn't put up with any guff when the Eagles started hitting ballcarriers after the whistle.

Defensive line (4.5 balls)

Michael Vick performed a few typical Houdini moves during the course of the game, but the line set the tone with a 9-yard sack on the game's third play from scrimmage. Henry Melton and Israel Idonije teamed up for that one, but everybody made the highlight reel. Julius Peppers (1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble) chased Vick all day, while Anthony Adams forced a fumble and Tommie Harris tipped the pass that Chris Harris picked off. Matt Toeaina and Marcus Harrison each earned a TFL and a QB hurry.

Linebackers (4 balls)

Brian Urlacher (10 tackles) posted 4 more stops than anyone else in the game, but he also had moments when he got blocked several yards backward or was a split-second too late to stop a perfectly placed Vick pass. Lance Briggs played solidly, while Pisa Tinoisamoa didn't get a ton of reps due to the nickel packages.

Secondary (3 balls)

After some anxious early moments, such as when tight end Brent Celek was left alone for what should have been an easy TD, the secondary forced the Eagles to earn everything they got. Nickel back D.J. Moore led the way with 6 solo stops.

Special teams (3.5 balls)

Devin Hester and Danieal Manning each returned a kick at least 40 yards. Robbie Gould was his usual reliable self, while Brad Maynard's biggest boomer (56 yards) actually backfired because it gave DeSean Jackson room for a 35-yard return. Maynard switched tactics and forced three fair catches thereafter.

Coaching (4 balls)

More than one member of the offense lauded Mike Martz' timely play calls. Several pass routes were the perfect selection, starting with Devin Hester's 39-yard screen pass when Cutler's quick throw beat the safety blitz. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli kept Vick off guard as he didn't always have space to set his feet and throw.