Chicago, IL - ESPN 2 Fight Night came into Chicago and brought with it Antonio Escalante vs Gary Starks Jr. These two feather-weights battled it out and in the 3rd round Escalante dropped Starks to the mat, thus possibly ending Starks' career as a boxer.
Written by Jason Rezvan / CS Writer
Wednesday, 03 December 2008 05:03
In just four quick plays, that most immeasurable variable of football—momentum—reared its capricious head with startling emphasis.
Mere inches away from taking a 14-3 lead in this decisive battle for NFC North supremacy, the Bears looked somewhat rusty but fervently self-assured. The Vikings, on the other hand, seemed to be losing steam due to five of six possessions resulting in punts and an untimely penalty on cornerback Benny Sapp.
The rest of the contest was certainly nothing to write home about from the Bears’ sideline. Minnesota’s defense maintained consistent pressure on the undersized offensive line all game, creating tremendous problems for the offense. Allen abused St. Clair multiple times, beating him with his speed and sacking the quarterback three times, while the coaches inexplicably refrained from putting in a tight end to help block.
Orton spent much of the night on the move, dodging flying bodies and trying to force throws. As he started tossing interception after interception (actually three in a span of seven passes), Orton’s poise became torn and frayed. He finished 11 of 29 for 153 yards with two touchdowns, three interceptions, and a season-low 39.1 passer rating. Orton hasn’t looked the same since he came back from that high ankle sprain, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Since he returned, he’s played three straight road games, two against good defenses. I’m sure he’ll bounce back at home against a reeling Jacksonville squad.
Another oft-reliable staple of the Bears’ offense, the two tight end set, was rendered ineffective by the speed of the Vikings’ nickel defense. Olsen, who caught six balls for 74 yards and a touchdown in the first game against the Vikings, was played like a receiver and shaded the entire game. He caught just one ball for seven yards. Desmond Clark tallied similar stats: One reception for nine yards.
With such a powerful front seven, Minnesota runs probably the purest version of the Cover 2 in the division. Their secondary, without having to worry too much about bringing a safety up, blitzing, or pressing the line, is unhindered in its soft zone defense. As a result, the Bears’ receivers, not the most dynamic corps, were completely lost in the coverage.
The only consistent threat the Bears wield is Forte, who carried 22 times for 96 yards and also caught four balls for 29 yards and a touchdown. The rookie has been the brightest spot on the season, and Chicago needs to do everything it can to get him the ball.
Devin Hester showed some more promise, too, with a 65-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. Lining up wide right, Hester ran a simple inside slant—a catch-and-run. The cornerback covering him, Antoine Winfield, fell down in pursuit, and the free safety, Darren Sharper, was late in providing help. Hester took off and never looked back. Chicago, take note: Get Hester the ball quickly, and with space, rather than sending him downfield all the time. Good things will happen!
Despite abysmal play by Chicago, they are not out of the division title just yet. Minnesota has three tough games remaining down the stretch after traveling to Detroit this week—at Arizona against the Cardinals, and then home against the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants. And, with the Big Bad Williamses getting suspended for four games for using a banned diuretic, their road got a little tougher.
As far as the Bears are concerned, they just need to regroup and finish the season 4-0 if they have any hopes of reclaiming the NFC North crown.
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In just four quick plays, that most immeasurable variable of football—momentum—reared its capricious head with startling emphasis.
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