Grading the Bears: Week 15
Game ball
Red Bryant was pretty quiet Sunday, but the one play the big guy made was absolutely huge, intercepting a Caleb Hanie pass and rumbling, stumbling, bumbling into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown early in the second half. The Seahawks never looked back.
Offense
Quarterback 1.5 balls
Caleb Hanie did some good things with his feet and even had a nice TD pass to Kahlil Bell in the first half, but once again it was the interceptions that killed him ... the 3 interceptions.
Running backs 2.5 balls
Kahlil Bell had a real nice day, finishing with more than 100 yards from scrimmage along with a TD catch. Marion Barber started, disappeared for a while, reappeared, then finished with a pedestrian 33 yards on 11 carries.
Receivers 1.5 balls
Helloooo? Anybody there? When Kahlil Bell (5 catches) and Dane Sanzenbacher (2) lead the team in catches, that can’t be good. And, all kidding aside, the fact that Johnny Knox is still moving is a miracle.
Offensive line 1 ball
Like the team itself, this unit continues to regress at an alarming rate.
Defense
Defensive line 2.5 balls
Julius Peppers was his usual steady self, sparking things with a strip of the ball that resulted in an Israel Idonije TD. Matt Toeaina and Idonije were noticeable at times.
Linebackers 2 balls
Lance Briggs registered a couple of tackles for losses and Brian Urlacher had another. But you had to feel the unit could have done much better.
Secondary 1 ball
Sure, Craig Steltz led the team with 8 tackles, but the play of Tim Jennings was just tough to watch, especially in the second half.
Special teams: 1 ball
Knox set the tone for a mediocre day by returning the opening kick from 8 yards back in the end zone. Corey Graham’s penalty for leverage was just ridiculous. Even the ever-reliable Adam Podlesh was not so reliable, but he did make a TD-saving tackle on Leon Washington’s punt return.
Coaching 1 ball
In what area did the Bears excel in a game that Lovie Smith deemed a playoff game — basically a must-win? That’s right.