Due to last week's overwhelming response, I thought I'd go ahead and continue on this week. I had to work all weekend, so this is the first chance I've had to watch the game. Stupid firewalls. I considered just adding on to GB's post, but I've got a little too much for the comment section. Half-ass analysis to begin in 4...3...2..

     Like last week, this will only be covering only the first half. Gets a little difficult trying to keep track of who's who once they start trotting all the soon-to-be-unemployed guys out onto the field. On to the offense.

1) Sir Jay

    Another solid performance. Didn't leave me breathless, but also didn't disappoint by any stretch. Started out a little slow but seemed to hit his stride in the 2nd quarter. I didn't notice any blatantly forced throws this week either.

2) Forte

   Uh, yeah. He's pretty good. That is all.

3) TE's

    Olsen continues to impress. Damn he's got good hands, and he is enormous. I can't wait until he feels a little more comfortable and just starts trucking DB's on his way down field. Clark looked really good this week as well. I think he might be trying to make sure everyone knows he's not done yet. Mission accomplished, sir. I just wish his name didn't cause me to think of Dez White.

4) WR's

   Bennett once again showed that he is ready for Sundays. No botched plays from Hester that I picked up on, but nothing that made me sit up and take notice either. I found it interesting that Cutler didn't even attempt to go deep to him this week. I didn't see much out of anyone else in the first half. 

5) OL

   Another good-not-great performance. The interior line seemed solid. The Pace situation has been covered already. Watching Chris Williams is getting frustrating. I put most of my focus on him because he's the least experienced, and because breaking down the interior is difficult with TV coverage. Ninety percent of the time, he looks really good. He's getting a good bendin his legs, he's not leaning back or forward too far, and his shuffle/slide looks great. He does seem to be struggling at picking up the blitz. He handles guys coming off the line/edge with no problem, but he didn't fare as well with the linebackers. He's getting turned around too far and giving up the outside, though it again didn't result in any sacks. He also was late recognizing the blitz by Dawkins (second series, I believe) and didn't recover in time. That one would've been ugly if Cutler hadn't unloaded the ball as quick as he did, because that old man brings the wood when he gets a shot. Williams did seem to have a lot more hustle this week and did a much better job of staying active during plays, which was my biggest complaint about his performance against the Giants.

SPECIAL TEAMS

   Gave up a little more yardage than I like to see, but nothing drastic. Hester had a couple bonehead plays on his first two returns, but he redeemed himself once he finally got his hands on one. The whole "he needs to stay on return teams" discussion has been covered to no end, so I'll skip it.

DEFENSE

1) DB's

    Couple nice plays by Payne. I hope Tillman and Bowman get healthy and game-ready really quick. Failing that, I hope someone kidnaps Aaron Rodgers a la "Celtic Pride."

2) LB's

    Another nice game, but we've come to expect it. Can someone explain how a defense as horrible as St Louis cuts a guy like Tinoisamoa? I don't care what scheme they want to run, the guys a gamer, period. Urlacher seemed to be playing better this week, and staying low. I think getting blasted by Brandon Jacobs last week might have woken him up a bit. He still didn't get off of blocks a few times, but that's not a new issue.

3) DL

   Vast improvement this week. I was so relieved to see Tommie Harris getting off the ball and staying low. Denver's O-Line was having to double-team him quite often too, which is a good sign. He's not back to form, but he's a lot closer. Adams and Harrison both played well also. Adams and AB did a nice job of sniffing out that end-around and shutting it down for a loss. Brown was his usual awesome self. Ogunleye looked good out there too. He looks a lot more physical this year, and he did a good job of keeping himself in plays, even when they went to the other side. Anderson looked better, but I'm not sold yet.

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    Another impressive performance this week. The offense struggled early on but seemed to click after a few three-and-outs. It was good to see they kept their cool after starting slow, especially with the girlish whining excessive noise from the crowd. The defense had a good showing, albeit against Kyle Orton and not having to face Marshall. By the way, good luck with that one, Broncos fans. Up next, the offensive juggernaut that is Cleveland, and the only receiver with worse hands than our own Droppopottamus.