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Coming into the game the thought was that the Tampa-2 would be the defense that will neutralize Cam Newton, basically because all 11 players have their eyes on the QB. I'm pretty sure Cam heard this going into the game and his performance yesterday made you think he went... Tampa- 2? Meh . Cam made throws and plays out there yesterday that validated some of the espn.com/Chicago writer's points that they would rather have Cam Newton over Jay Cutler right now. Cam shredded the Bears defense for 374 yards 1 passing TD, 2 rushing TD's, and 8 rushes for 35 yards.
Pass Pressure Grade D
The front 4 was non-existent for the 2nd consecutive week. Julius Peppers was pretty much shutdown by Jordan Gross , Carolina interior line shutdown the Bear defensive interior pass rush, and Israel Idonije was non-existent for the 2nd week in a row. Even when the pressure got there they couldn't bring down the 6-5 248 pound QB. If the Bears front 4 can't generate pressure against a Lions offensive line that's below average at best, then there's some cause for concerns.
Pass Coverage Grade F
Steve Smith went H.A.M once again on the Bears secondary. The Bears tired cover 2 zone coverage to keep Cam from connecting to this favorite target and that didn't work mostly due to Brandon Merriweather wanting to freelance in a coverage that doesn't allow you to do that. They tried manning up Tim Jennings on him and he just simply ate him up. They said Steve Smith fell off, but it seems like he just needed a competent QB to get him the ball. The TE's for Carolina also had a good game against the Bears safeties and Linebackers. The Bears desperately need Chris Harris back not only on the field, but at FS because Major Wright and Merriweather so far are not cutting it at that position.
Containment on Newton Grade F
When a QB has a stat line of 8 rushes 35 yards for 2 rushing TD's you simply didn't do a good job containing the QB. Luckily the Bears won't have to face an athlete like Newton until the Monday Night game against the Eagles.