Grading the Bears in Week 2

Game ball: Saints quarterback Drew Brees picked the Bears’ defense apart, completing 26 of 37 passes for 270 yards, 3 touchdowns and a passer rating of 118.1.

Quarterback: Jay Cutler played okay in the first half before the Bears decided to abandon the run game and Cutler wound up running for his life, getting sacked six times and completing just 19 of 45 passes. 2 balls

Running back: Maybe Matt Forte could have won the game all by himself if he got a few more carries. He tried his best, with 166 yards from scrimmage, including 117 yards on 10 receptions. 5 balls

Receivers: Johnny Knox wasn’t bad (2 catches, 45 yards), but he didn’t play well enough to take his starting job back from injured Roy Williams. Rookie Dane Sanzenbacher had the Bears’ only TD, but he also had a drop, as did Devin Hester, who was mostly invisible. 2 balls

Offensive line: Six sacks and many other hurried passes flung to avoid additional sacks. Too bad they never really got a chance to run block. 1 ball

Defensive line: Drew Brees was rarely pressured, and even when he was, he always seemed to get the ball off before getting touched. Did Julius Peppers even play? They weren’t very good against the run either. 2 balls.

Linebackers: Lance Briggs had a team-best 11 tackles but there were few big plays, although Nick Roach had a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. 2½ balls.

Secondary: The safeties were horrible. Injured Chris Harris can’t get back soon enough. As usual cornerback Charles Tillman forced a fumble, and he recovered it, too. Can anybody else make a play on the ball? 1 ball.

Special teams: Robbie Gould made both FG attempts, from 42 and 38 yards. Adam Podlesh punted very well and he and coverage teams permitted explosive Darren Sproles just 1 return yard on 8 boots. Returns were average. 3½ ballls.

Coaching: Run the ball or find someone who can pass block. 1 ball.

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