The Bears Den: October 08, 2012 - Week 5 News and Notes

Bears deliver second-half knockout punch Larry Mayer - The blueprint the Bears followed to record a lopsided win Monday night in Dallas was so effective that they repeated it almost to the letter Sunday in Jacksonville.

Bears overwhelm Jaguars with defense, win 41-3 - Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs have scored more touchdowns than Matt Forte this season. And the Bears aren't complaining.

Truths starting to add up for Bears - Jon Greenberg: This is a team that has shown it has what it takes to make a Super Bowl run. Aside from unpredictable injuries, whether the Bears realize their potential is up to them.

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Bears-Jaguars game reports & notes

Bears bury Jaguars 41-3 as Charles Tillman kick-starts TD spree - Sean Jensen: During the bye week, the Bears might want to give Charles Tillman some snaps at receiver.

Bears beat Jaguars 41-3 - Brad Biggs: Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs returned interceptions for touchdowns for the second consecutive game, the first time in NFL history teammates have accomplished that feat.

Bears survive sluggish first half, then bury Jaguars in second - Sean Jensen: After getting an earful from coach Lovie Smith at halftime, the Bears returned to the field and welcomed a climate change.

Repeat performance - Larry Mayer: Six days after returning an interception 25 yards for a touchdown in the Bears' 34-18 win over the Cowboys, the Pro Bowl CB picked off a Blaine Gabbert pass near the same spot on the field and brought it back 36 yards for a score in a 41-3 trouncing of the Jaguars.

Larry Mayer's game blog - "In no way am I saying that Jacksonville is behind the times... but there are two pay phones on the wall behind me in the press box."

[Video] Game recap - Jim Basquil and Eric Allen break down the Bears' 41-3 win over the Jaguars.

[Video] Game highlights - Jay Cutler threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Bears over the Jaguars 41-3.

NFCN Blog Rapid Reaction - Michael C. Wright: The Bears scored 38 second-half points to turn a competitive 3-3 affair at the half into a 41-3 slaughter. Halftime thoughts: For whatever reason, the Bears hadn’t fully committed to running the ball, and that played a role in the team struggling on third downs (1 of 5) in the first half.

[Video] PGL analysis - Jiggs, Miller, Hillenmeyer with postgame analysis of the Bears' victory going into the bye week. HH can't help but smile when he talks about two defensive TDs.

Bears showed their mettle in second half - Michael C. Wright: Lovie Smith admitted the 88-degree temperature at kickoff might have been a factor in the slow start, but other than that the first two quarters came as somewhat of a surprise to the coach.

[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin's break down of the blowout win over the Jaguars. Lovie was reportedly "mad and was all over them at halftime"...

Moon Mullin's notebook - MM: Second-half stampede jolts Jags. Monsters come out at night...

Brad Biggs' game notes - Alshon Jeffery will undergo an X-ray on his swollen right hand Monday and the Bears are hopeful the rookie wide receiver is not seriously injured. Plus, more game notes.

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Offense

Lovie Smith's gamble on fourth down gets Bears on track - Brad Biggs: Smith often receives criticism for not being the best game-day coach in the NFL, but this was a move that required moxie for which he isn't always known.

Heavy dose of Marshall bails out Bears’ offense - Mark Potash: With the Bears’ offense out of sync in the first half, Cutler found a rhythm with a progression that seemed to be as simple as 1-2-3: Marshall, Marshall and Marshall.

Marshall stars again - Larry Mayer: For the second straight game, the Bears leaned on receiver Brandon Marshall's game-breaking ability in the second half to cruise to a lopsided road win.

Another 100-yard day for Marshall - Jeff Dickerson: Brandon Marshall continues to rack up big numbers for the Bears.

Brandon Marshall is Bears' homecoming king in rout in Jacksonville - David Haugh: In catching 12 passes for 144 yards, Marshall became the first Bears wide receiver since Marcus Robinson in 1999 to gain at least 100 yards in back-to-back games. Not since Marty Booker in 2002 has a Bears wide receiver caught 10 or more passes in a game.

Jeffery exits game with hand injury - Jeff Dickerson: The good news is that he gets to rest his injured hand during the bye week and could return in time to face the Detroit Lions on Oct. 22.

Bears offense needs to start this earlier - Rosenmoan: A good team will make you pay for such early erratic play. You can’t always depend on a second-half rally, even if you’re a streak shooter.

Jay Cutler has loads of ability, but his early interceptions are worrisome - Rick Telander: On Sunday, Jay Cutler cast his line out toward the Atlantic Ocean and reeled in a couple of big bluefins and a slimy dogfish.

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Defense

Veteran Bears defense still shows plenty of swagger - Dan Pompei: This is a grizzled, cunning gang that will ravage, maraud and pillage your sweet little doe-eyed offenses.

Bears key to stopping MJD: Don’t try to 'kill' him - Moon Mullin: The Bears were able to shut down Maurice Jones-Drew on Sunday because they didn't try to do too much. It worked, as the Jaguars' RB couldn't get anything going all night.

Corey Wootton’s sack comes at an opportune time - Adam L. Jahns's game notes.

Tillman interception brings Bears to life again - Rick Morrissey: It didn’t take much to suck the life out of the Jaguars and their lonely stadium. The 36-yard interception return breathed so much life into the Bears that the game became a blowout.

Briggs, Tillman set NFL record with defensive TDs - Garry Smits: On a franchise with a rich defensive tradition, the Bears under Smith are setting new standards. Since he took over the team in 2004, the Bears have forced 283 turnovers, 29 more than the next team, New England.

Tillman, Briggs make history with repeat returns - Dan Pompei: Charles Tillman also makes his way into Chicago Bears record books with his 32nd career interception, the seventh returned for a touchdown.

High-scoring defense also record-breaking - Jeff Dickerson: For the third straight week, the Bears' defense rescued its sluggish offense.

Matt Bowen's NFL Sunday notes - Chicago whips Jacksonville 41-3 with a defense that has to be in the discussion as one of the league’s top units.

Jay Cutler: No panic with Bears' D on side - Michael C. Wright: QB credits the defense for providing the offense opportunities to make plays by forcing three-and-outs and nabbing turnovers.

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Game grades & further thoughts

Moon Mullin's grades: Offense - MM: The Bears' offense was as good as it's been all year in a 41-3 win over the Jaguars. The coaching staff, Jay Cutler and the OL all earned excellent grades.

Moon Mullin's grades: Defense - MM: The Bears defense allowed just three points and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a straight-A performance.

Michael C. Wright's Report Card - High grades across the board following the 41-3 victory over the Jaguars.

Grading the Bears - The Sun-Times' game grades.

Adam Hoge's grades - There’s still plenty of room to improve and I’m not sure the offense has “clicked” yet, but there are plenty of signs that the unit is close. If that happens, watch out.

Bears Report Card - Gene Chamberlain: Even Jay Cutler and Mike Tice were seen joking after the Bears battered the Jaguars. Who can blame them? With a defense that scores as many touchdowns as the offense, everyone's job is that much easier.

CBSSports' NFL grades - Team-by-team grades for Week 5 in the NFL.

3 Bears - Too-hot Briggs returns another INT. Gabe Carimi, you too cold. Matt Forte is just right.

Brad Biggs' Four downs - Defense rules, JayBrand and the offense are rolling, and looking ahead to a favourable schedule for the next three games.

Five things we learned - Jeff Dickerson: The defense continues to save the day; the offense folds when the pressure is on; thoughts on Tillman, Carimi, Bush.

Game day photo galleries - Courtesy of the Sun-Times and the Tribune. Warning: Pat Mannelly sighting in the latter. Prepare for awesome.

Guest video week, courtesy of my Den predecessor!

Pete Dixon: Because all your lunch money are belong to us.