Second-half Domination Results in Bears Win.

Unlike the previous two weeks, the Chicago Bears didn’t have to rely on a fourth quarter comeback to get a victory. In Week 4, the Bears beat the Detroit Lions 48-24 in front of a fired up crowd at Soldier Field. Detroit did put a scare into the Chicago faithful by going into halftime tied at 21 with the Bears, but the 102-yard kickoff return by rookie Johnny Knox at the start of the third quarter ignited the second-half explosion by Chicago, outscoring the Lions 27-3 in the final two quarters.

Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler didn’t have eye-popping numbers—completing 18 out of 28 passes for 141 yards and two touchdown—but did set the tone with a great five-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, where he dove for the pylon and helicoptered into the end zone to tie the game at seven. The Bears’ running game came out of hibernation when Matt Forte gained 61 yards on his first carry of the game. The second-year back out of Tulane finished the game with 121 yards on just 12 carries and scored on a 37-yard touchdown run midway in the fourth quarter. Chicago only had 50 offensive plays while only having the ball for 23:30, but still managed to put the ball in the end zone five times.

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After giving up three touchdowns in the first half, Chicago’s defense stiffened in the second half, only allowing three points. Adewale Ogunleye led the charge with a game-high 2 ½ sacks and a forced fumble. However, it was the constant pressure from the front seven that got the other 2 ½ sacks for the Bears, and an interception by defensive tackle Tommie Harris. Middle linebacker Nick Roach filled in quite well for the injured Hunter Hillenmeyer—who was filling in for Brian Urlacher—registering seven tackles and a sack. The secondary had their problems in the first half trying to contain Lions’ receiver Calvin Johnson, who had over 100 yards in the first half, but made a significant adjustment when Lovie Smith assigned Charles Tillman to cover Johnson for the rest of the second half.

Week 5 will be the easiest week for the Chicago Bears this year because this is their bye week. This break from action couldn’t have come at a better time for linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who is still recovering from a knee injury from Week 1. This week of rest will also benefit Knox, Devin Hester, and special teams veteran Adrian Peterson, who were all injured in the win over the Lions.

By Clyde Speller
ProFootball-fans.com Chicago Bears Correspondent