Grading the Bears: Week 12

Game ball

It goes to Johnny Knox, and not just for that great one-handed catch late in the game. Knox was Caleb Hanie’s go-to guy all day, finishing with 4 catches for 145 yards and 1 TD. Oh, and he also unleashed a 56-yard kickoff return.

Offense

Quarterback 2 balls

After a nightmare of a start, Caleb Hanie settled down and had a decent day with his arm (18-for-36, 254 yards, 2 TDs) and his legs (5 carries, 50 yards). He also did a decent job of spreading the ball around, even throwing three times to his tight ends.

Running backs 3 balls

With a fill-in quarterback, the Bears knew they had to bring the running game, and though they didn’t have too many carries, the ones they had were productive. Matt Forte rushed 12 times for 59 yards, and Marion Barber powered his way to 63 yards on 10 carries.

Receivers: 3.5 balls

Though Johnny Knox will get most of the pub — and rightly so — Matt Forte was solid with 6 catches. Tight end Kellen Davis had a pair of catches, including 1 for a touchdown.

Offensive line 2.5

Though Caleb Hanie found himself under pressure quite a bit, the O-line didn’t perform too poorly against a defense that was in attack mode all day. Lance Louis turned in the hustle play of the day by preventing a TD on an interception late in the first half.

Defense

Defensive line 3.5 balls

The Bears needed a big effort from their front, and for the most part they got it, led by a pair of sacks by — guess who? — Julius Peppers. The Bears held Raiders RB Michael Bush to 69 yards on 24 carries for a paltry 2.9 average.

Linebackers 2.5 balls

Lance Briggs was second on the team in tackles, but for the most part the entire unit was awfully quiet Sunday afternoon.

Secondary 2.5 balls

Major Wright led the defense with 7 tackles, Corey Graham had an interception, and Tim Jennings seemed solid, yet Oakland’s Carson Palmer still was able to throw for 301 yards with four different receivers catching 4 or more passes.

Special teams 4 balls

As good as Robbie Gould and Adam Podlesh were, they still were outperformed by Oakland’s kicking duo. Devin Hester’s 2 punt returns totaled just 7 yards. But Johnny Knox had 133 yards in kickoff returns, including a 56-yarder.

Coaching 2.5 balls

There were a couple of questionable calls on the offensive side — none more so than the attempted screen late in the first half that ended in an Oakland INT and an eventual field goal. But you have to admit one thing about this team: It never, ever quits.