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It was a story of two halves again for the Bears Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints. In typical 2008 fashion, Chicago steadily built a 21-7 lead over the course of the first half before coming out flat and lifeless in the second. Allowing 17 unanswered points, the Bears looked in danger of receiving a near-certain ticket to the offseason much earlier than desired. However, a late rally in the closing minutes of the game tied the contest at 24 and set up Chicagos eventual overtime victory. Yes, the Chicago Bears keep on truckin.
The Monsters of the Midway jumped out to an early lead after a resounding return by Danieal Manning on the opening kickoff that went the distance. Hauling in a high, end-over-end kick, Manning darted to the right side of the field and cut through a myriad of defenders, bypassing kicker Garrett Hartley at Chicagos 43 and cruising the rest of the way untouched. Trumaine McBride provided a key block on New Orleans cornerback Leigh Torrence that sprung Manning; all the return man had to do was juke out the kicker.
Things certainly didnt start well for the Saints, and it only got worse. Their infamous spread offense opened strong with a healthy balance of the pass and run. However, it soon fell apart as the Bears defensive line began establishing itself.
On the Saints opening possession, facing a third-and-10 at Chicagos 40, Brees lined up in a shotgun formation with three receivers, running back Reggie Bush in the backfield, and tight end Jeremy Shockey blocking the right side. As the ball was snapped, Mark Anderson faked an outside move on Shockey and then quickly cut back in. Bush moved up to chip Anderson but was too late; the defensive end shot forward with arms in the air, narrowly missing Brees. Still, feeling the pressure, Brees launched a pass deep over the middle to receiver Lance Moore. The wideout was essentially tripled-covered by Charles Tillman, Mike Brown, and Lance Briggs, and naturally the ball was intercepted.
Unfortunately, Chicago couldnt capitalize, and the game quickly became a battle of attrition with both offenses struggling to gain yardage. A handful of punts were exchanged before Bears fans were suddenly and cruelly reminded of the Rex Grossman era as Kyle Orton fumbled a snap deep in Chicago territory (though it appears that Olin Kreutz may actually be to blame for putting the ball in play too early). Two plays later, the Saints evened the score on a short pass to running back Pierre Thomas.
Orton responded with firm resolve, leading the Bears on two touchdown drives. The first came compliments of a 52-yard Manning return and a 39-yard pass interference call on cornerback Jason David, the second a six-yard quarterback scramble into the end zone (looking exceptionally spry on that ankle, might I add).
But, keep in mind . . . this was just the first half.
Chicago limped out of the locker room and completely collapsed in the third quarter. Running just 11 offensive plays, the Bears barely saw the field and let the Saints dominate the time of possession. Conversely, by the end of the quarter, New Orleans had already run a remarkable 57 offensive plays in the game. With Chicagos defense showing signs of wear, the Saints began marching back behind powerful Thomas runs to score 17 unanswered points. They eventually saw their first lead of the game with a little over three minutes left.
And then, with the season on the line, Kyle Orton showed signs of future greatness (with a lowercase g, that is) by driving 60 yards to set up Robbie Goulds game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. Working out of the no huddle, he went 8/11 for 61 yards on the drive, completing passes to Devin Hester, Matt Forte, and Greg Olsen. It was a very necessary statement by the leader of this team, one that strengthened his confidence and authority in the locker room.
Despite some nearly devastating mental errors, Orton showed up when it mattered. He followed two of his three turnovers with scoring drives and showed he could move the ball effectively downfield with high-percentage throws and quick reads. Finishing 24/40 for 172 yards with two interceptions may not look spectacular, but, considering the derailment of the running game due to a Forte injury early in the game, Orton played efficient football.
And the Bears never looked back, thanks to the game-changing performance of Devin Hester. Yes, Hester only caught four balls for 46 yards. He also caused two back-breaking pass interference calls by slicing through the Saints secondary on go routes, the last setting up the game-winning overtime field goal. But his presence already demands a special attention; once he improves his route running and hands, hell need to be double teamed constantly.
The Bears defensive line also came through with one of their best games of the season. Alex Brown (four tackles, one sack) and Adewale Ogunleye (six tackles, one interception) shot off the line with marvelous fervor and looked like the duo that wreaked havoc in 2006. Anthony Adams and Israel Idonije also shined in their newfound roles alongside Tommie Harris. More importantly, Chicagos defensive line produced a formidable pass rush, something theyve struggled to do all year.
With two games left, Chicago is doing everything possible to stay in the playoff hunt. It appears these Bears arent ready to hibernate just yet.
Final Score: New Orleans 24, Chicago 27 (OT)
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