I'll have to admit, I feared the worst when Jay Cutler was tripped up by Roberto Garza early in the game. I just assumed it was a harbinger of things to come, and the Vikings would run roughshod through the Bears beleaguered offensive line. I was bracing myself for another 5 or 6 sacks allowed performance, and plotting my week around my film breakdown. Whew...

That was the lone "sack" the Bears allowed to Jared Allen and the Minnesota pass rush.

Sackwatch after 11 games
2010 - 41
2011 - 27
2012 - 35

Sack 35 - First Quarter 12:13 - Fred Evans
Evans picks up his first sack on the year, but all he did was touch a prone Jay Cutler who was fallen by his own man. Chicago center Roberto Garza gave up too much ground and stepped on Jay Cutler's foot as he dropped back. Not a lot to break down here, Garza just allowed his man to push him back. Sometimes sacks happen, but given the circumstances I'll give this sack allowed stat to Garza.

All in all, it was a good job of pass protection by the Bears this week. Taking into account the shuffling on the offensive line, I think that group did a fine job. The mobility of Jay Cutler aided them as well, he escaped and bought time as only he can. Cutler takes a lot of heat for holding onto the ball too long on occasion, but he deserves credit for eluding sacks where others would be surely dropped.

I think the play calling deserves some credit this week too. Mike Tice had a good rhythm to his calls, and the Viking defense wasn't simply allowed to get after the QB.

When the calls are on point, and the players are executing on 1st downs, it really helps out the pass protection. Here's the running tally of the individual Sackwatch;

Sackwatch Breakdown After 11 Games
Jay Cutler - 8
Gabe Carimi - 7
J'Marcus Webb - 5
Chilo Rachal - 3
Kellen Davis - 2
Matt Forte - 2
Lance Louis - 2
Sacks Happen - 2
Chris Spencer - 1
Micheal Bush - 1
Matt Spaeth - 1
Roberto Garza - 1