Grading the Bears
GAME BALL
Devin Hester
He caught a touchdown pass for the second week in a row. His only punt return went for 38 yards and lone kick return for 40, but he also scared the Jets into several short kickoffs that led to great field position. Oh, and he helped inspire the Jets' ill-fated fake punt in the third quarter.
QUARTERBACK (4 balls)
After a dreadful Pick-6 in the second quarter and a terrible decision to take a sack shortly thereafter, Jay Cutler turned brilliant. His QB rating jumped from 43.2 to 116.1 in less than eight minutes of the third quarter as he hit 6 of 7 passes for 115 yards and 3 TDs.
RUNNING BACKS (4.5 balls)
The Jets hadn't given up a 100-yard game in almost two seasons, but Matt Forte found enough lanes and busted enough tackles to finish with 13 yards in 19 carries. He also had 56 receiving yards, which made him first Bears back in six years to pull off the 100/50 double.
RECEIVERS (4 balls)
On the Bears' first dropback Sunday, Devin Hester caught a 14-yard pass against Darrelle Revis. That set the stage for the Bears' speed beating the Jets' man-to-man coverage vertically. Johnny Knox made two nice plays in the end zone and also caught a Greg Olsen bobble.
OFFENSIVE LINE (4 balls)
Yes, Cutler was sacked twice, but his refusal to throw the ball away led to the painful one. The right side, in particular, produced big holes for Matt Forte. It's probably fair to term this the line's best effort this year. Three false starts smudged the effort.
DEFENSIVE LINE (2.5 balls)
On the game's first play, vintage Tommie Harris knifed through and drew a holding penalty while knocking down “L.T” for 2-yard loss. Julius Peppers added another short TFL as the Bears were held without a sack by the protective Jets.
LINEBACKERS (2.5 BALLS)
Workmanlike effort from the usual all-pros. Lance Briggs posted a tackle for loss and broke up the third-down pass immediately before the failed fake punt. Brian Urlacher posted 8 tackles. Pisa Tinoisamoa returned and posted 1 tackle.
SECONDARY (3 BALLS)
Charles Tillman kept giving up slants, though it was his job to play with outside leverage. Tim Jennings dropped an easy interception right in his gut in the second quarter. Safety Danieal Manning forced a fumble that set up Forte's TD. Chris Harris recovered that fumble and added the clinching INT.
SPECIAL TEAMS (4 BALLS)
Robbie Gould missed his first FGA inside the 40 in 65 attempts. Hester's presence forced the Jets to pooch three first-half kickoffs that led to excellent field position. With the Bears deep in their own end in fourth quarter, Brad Maynard and Corey Graham combined for terrific 50-yard net punt as Maynard angled it perfectly to the Bears' sideline and Graham was there to make play.
COACHING (4 BALLS)
As Mike Martz walked into postgame locker room, he wore the biggest grin. Lovie Smith's smile wasn't as wide, but it was huge compared to his usual emotional range. Rod Marinelli's defense solved problems at halftime.