Tale of Two Halves: Chicago Outlasts Philly For Win

The Chicago Bears’ Sunday night victory over the Philadelphia Eagles was a tale of two halves. Though the Bears defense was consistent early in the first quarter, they did falter later on in the first half, giving up two touchdowns to the Eagles (2-2). But on the other side of the ball, the Bears (2-2) surprised an Eagles defense that leads the league in sacks with a no-huddle offense, resulting in the highest scoring half of football for the Bears thus far this season. The roles were reversed in the second half. The high-octane offense turned sloppy, while the porous defense became rigid at the right time.

Kyle Orton led the offense to a 21-14 halftime lead by throwing three touchdown passes to three different receivers. Orton connected with tight end Greg Olsen for the first Chicago TD in the first quarter, and later did the same to Marty Booker and Devin Hester, who was playing for the first time since his rib injury in Week 2. In the second half, Orton committed three of his four turnovers, including an interception in the end zone two plays after Bears second-year safety Kevin Payne intercepted Donovan McNabb and returned the ball to the Eagles’ 11-yard line. The offense’s poor performance in the second half could have been due to Brandon Lloyd leaving the game with a knee injury late in the first half, only leaving three receivers for the Bears for the rest of the game.

But luckily for the offense, Brian Urlacher and company showed a bend but don’t break mentality in the second half by not allowing another Philadelphia touchdown for the rest of the game. Though McNabb and the Eagles offense did threaten to take advantage of Chicago’s turnovers, as well as the early departure of an injured Charles Tillman, they only managed to produce two David Akers field goals in the second half. The most pivotal situation in the game was the goal-line stand the Bears displayed when the Eagles were on the Chicago one-yard line late in the fourth quarter. Even without an injured Tommie Harris, the Bears stopped the Eagles on three consecutive run plays, including a fourth-and-goal where Eagles running back Correll Buckhalter, who started in place of an injured Brian Westbrook, was stuffed by pro bowlers Lance Briggs and Alex Brown. This preserved a 24-20 final score in favor of the Monster of the Midway.

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Orton finished the game with 18 completions out of 34 attempts for 199 yards and a career-high three touchdown passes, along with two interceptions. The Eagles held the Bears’ running game in check by only allowing rookie Matt Forte to gain 43 yards on 19 carries. But Forte did display more versatility by having five receptions for 42 yards; both team highs. And along with Payne’s third-quarter interception, Hunter Hillenmeyer and Israel Idonije each had a sack, as well as Danieal Manning and Adewale Ogunleye, who both shared a sack.

Not only did the Chicago Bears even their record, but they are now tied with the Green Bay Packers for first place in the NFC North. Next, the Bears will have to focus on the Detroit Lions (0-3), their first divisional match-up of the year. The lowly Lions just might be what the doctor ordered for Chicago to start building on a winning streak.

By Clyde A. Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent