Mr. Indispensable
The numbers don't lie.
Matt Forte went over the 100-yard rushing mark for the 11th time in his career — and for the third time in the past four weeks — even before halftime.
He finished with 145 yards on 25 carries.
His 32-yard run opened the scoring and was exceptional even by the lofty standards he has established this season.
After getting around the right corner, he cut back three times while racing diagonally across the field, leaving three Tampa Bay defenders tackling air and two crashing into each other.
Forte said credit should go to his offensive line for their role in the 177-yard ground attack.
“It's not like I developed some special moves over the off-season,” he said. “I would say (it's) great blocking, and good patience by the runners.”
With 1,091 yards from scrimmage and 672 rushing yards, Forte is on pace for 2,494 yards from scrimmage and 1,536 rushing yards.
Forte has been pursuing a contract extension — with no success — since before training camp, but it clearly hasn't affected his performance.
“I'm motivated every year,” Forte said. “I'm not worried about being motivated for whatever reason. It's not like I come out and play the game because I'm (upset) or something like that. I come out to succeed for my teammates and for myself.”
In his past four games, three of them Bears victories, Forte has rushed for 553 yards, an average of 138 a game and 6.2 yards per carry.
“Matt Forte, he's just a great player,” coach Lovie Smith said.
“He's proven that every time he's played all year.”
The Bears' offensive line dominated the Bucs throughout the first half, clearing the way for Forte and backup Marion Barber, who carried six times for 39 yards, including a 29-yard pickup in the second quarter that set up the Bears' second touchdown, and a 12-yard scoring run later that quarter.