Starting to like themselves: Bears trample Rams

The Chicago Bears (6-5) got a much needed win Sunday over the St. Louis Rams (2-9) with a 27-3 victory. As a result of their dominance of all three phases of the game, Chicago still holds a share of first place in the NFC North with the Minnesota Vikings.

The offense was carried by rookie Matt Forte and the offensive line. The second-round pick out of Tulane carried the ball 20 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns (both career-highs). Forte’s two TDs came on runs of 13 yards and 47 yards; both in the first half. Kyle Orton had an average outing completing 18 of his 29 pass attempts for 139 yards and one touchdown. Though his numbers weren’t eye-popping, Orton did continue a streak of 185 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, which dates back to the third quarter of Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Both Desmond Clark and Devin Hester had team highs with five receptions each. Clark finished with 40 yards receiving, while Hester amassed 89 total yards from scrimmage (57 receiving and 32 rushing). Jason McKie scored the Bears only TD through the air from seven yards out in the first quarter, which put Chicago up 14-0.

Chicago ’s defense decided to show up in this game with probably their best performance of the season. For the first time this year, Chicago didn’t allow their opponent to score a touchdown. The Bears’ front four totaled five sacks against the Rams, matching the number of sacks in their five previous games. Adewale Ogunleye started the attack in the first quarter by sacking Marc Bulger, which resulted in him leaving the game with a head injury. Rams’ backup quarterback Trent Green was the recipient of another Ogunleye sack, along with two from Tommie Harris and one from Alex Brown. In addition to Chicago’s five sacks, four interceptions were recorded as well. Leading the way in this category was Lance Briggs, who picked off two St. Louis passes, while Brian Urlacher and Charles Tillman both snagged one each. The Bears’ rigid pass defense was complimented by their run stopping. Chicago showed that they took full advantage of the absence of Rams’ offensive tackle Orlando Pace and running back Steven Jackson by allowing only 14 rushing yards the entire game.

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On special teams, it wasn’t Hester who gave the Bears a spark. It was Danieal Manning’s 50-yard opening kick-off return that gave the Bears great field position for their opening touchdown drive. Manning also had a 26-yard return in the second quarter. The kicking game remained consistent with Robbie Gould connecting on both of his field goal attempts (43, 38); while Brad Maynard had a good outing by planting one of his five punts inside the 20-yard line and averaging 44.2 yards per punt, with a long of 52 yards.

The Chicago Bears have gotten off to a good start on what head coach Lovie Smith calls their “six-game season.” Next the Bears will have their biggest game of the year by far when they travel to the Metrodome to face the rival Vikings for sole possession of first place in the division.

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