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All statistics and snap counts are taken directly from the NFL's Game Statistic and Information System.
It took the Chicago Bears a little while before they got into a rhythm, but they eventually settled in on both sides of the ball. The last second Hail Mary TD inched the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within 6, but this game actually felt like the Bears had control through most of the 4th quarter.
The overall numbers mostly favored the Bears, although the Bucs did have the edge in total yardage 389 to 327. The Bears had the edge in time of possession; 37:03 to 22:57, first downs; 21 to 19 and 3rd down conversions; 40% (6 of 15) to 25% (2 of 8). The Bears had fewer penalties; 3 for 25 to 4 for 47 for Tampa Bay and Chicago didn't turn the ball over while the Bucs has 3 turnovers.
With their 6th win of the season the Bears eclipsed last year's total of 5 and head coach John Fox has led his 3rd franchise to a year one improvement. The Bears have a shot at 7 wins next week against the Detroit Lions and winning is far more important than draft positioning as the Bears try and build some mojo for next year.
FYI - All the charts are Total snaps played - Percentage of snaps played
Offensive Line
Player | Offense | Special Teams |
Matt Slauson LG | 71 - 100% | 6 - 20% |
Hroniss Grasu C | 61 - 86% | |
Kyle Long RT | 71 - 100% | 6 - 20% |
Charles Leno Jr. LT | 71 - 100% | 6 - 20% |
Patrick Omameh RG | 10 - 14% | 6 - 20% |
Jermon Bushrod | 9 - 13% | 6 - 20% |
Vladimir Ducasse | 71 - 100% | 6 - 20% |
The Bears made a change to the starting lineup, benching Omameh for Ducasse at right guard, but the injury to Grasu got Omameh back in the game for a few snaps. The Bears only allowed 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits and 3 tackles for loss.
They rushed for 174 yards, their most since week 1 against the Packers.
Grasu was flagged for holding (declined), Long had a false start and Ducasse had a holding penalty.
Quarterback
Jay Cutler play an efficient game going 20 of 27 (74%) for 156 yards, 1 TD and a 100.2 passer rating. This was Cutler's 8th game this season with a passer rating over 90.0, a new career high. He also had 2 runs for 21 yards.
And check out these nuggets from the Bears post game press release.
It was the sixth time this season Cutler did not throw an interception, tied for the most such games in a single-season during his career (along with 2007 as a member of the Broncos and 2012 with the Bears).
Cutler has not thrown more than 1 interception in a game all season (14 starts). He is the only NFL QB to start at least 10 games this season and NOT have a contest with multiple interceptions.
Running Backs
Player | Offense | Special Teams |
Matt Forte | 28 - 39% | |
Jeremy Langford | 38 - 54% | |
Ka'Deem Carey | 10 - 14% | 10 - 33% |
Matt Forte left the game with a back injury so his numbers were lower than he probably expected, but he still had 54 yards on 11 carries (4.9 ypc) and he caught 3 of 4 balls for 23 yards.
Rookie Jeremy Langford lad the Bears in rushing with 83 yards on 19 carries (4.4 ypc). He didn't catch either of the passes thrown his way.
Carey had a rushing TD and a receiving TD. He had 7 rushing attempts for 16 yards (2.3 ypc) and a 1 yard reception on his lone target.
Tight Ends
Player | Offense | Special Teams |
Zach Miller | 66 - 93% | 7 - 23% |
Khari Lee | 8 - 11% | 10 - 33% |
Rob Housler | 5 - 7% | 12 - 40% |
I really like the way Zach Miller catches the ball. He doesn't allow the ball to get into his body, instead using his big mitts to go get it. He led the Bears in receiving yards (69), receptions (7) and targets (8). I'll have some more on Miller's season tomorrow in Ten Thoughts on the NFL.
Wide Receivers
Player | Offense | Special Teams |
Eddie Royal | 47 - 66% | |
Marc Mariani | 59 - 83% | 5 - 17% |
Deonte Thompson | 21 - 30% | 7 - 23% |
Josh Bellamy | 64 - 90% |
Jeffery missed another game, so the Bears gave Bellamy the start along with Royal. Bellamy caught 2 of 3 targets for 10 yards and Royal caught 5 of the 6 balls thrown his way for 21 yards while battling an illness all game.
Mariani grabbed 2 of 3 for 32 yards and he had a 5 yard punt return.
Special Teams
Player | Special Teams |
LaRoy Reynolds | 19 - 63% |
Cameron Meredith | 12 - 40% |
Sherrick McManis | 24 - 80% |
Lamin Barrow | 19 - 63% |
Sherrod Martin | 16 - 53% |
Robbie Gould | 13 - 43% |
Patrick Scales | 11 - 37% |
Patrick O'Donnell | 11 - 37% |
The Buccaneers blocked a punt when LaRoy Reynolds forgot to block, but he did make 2 special teams tackles.
O'Donnell also had a tackle, but that block killed his net punting average dropping to to 34.8. He did place 2 punts inside the 20.
Gould was perfect on the day making all four of his field goals and both extra points. With another 50 yarder made, Gould is now a career best 7 for 9 on field goals of 50+ yards this season. He also needs just 1 FG next week to tie his career best of 32 made. Gould also had 6 touchbacks on kickoffs, with Tampa Bay's only kick return going for 19 yards. You fans still want Gould gone?
McMannis assisted on a ST tackle.
Defensive Backs
Player | Defense | Special Teams |
Kyle Fuller CB | 56 - 100% | 11 - 37% |
Adrian Amos S | 56 - 100% | 9 - 30% |
Tracy Porter CB | 56 - 100% | |
Chris Prosinski S | 3 - 5% | 24 - 80% |
Demontre Hurst CB | 42 - 75% | 8 - 27% |
Harold Jones-Quartey S | 53 - 95% | 2 - 7% |
Alan Ball CB | 9 - 16% | 4 - 13% |
Bears' DBs caught a few breaks on some bad deep balls by Jameis Winston, but Winston still had 295 yards passing and 2 TDs.
Jones-Quartey received the surprise start over Prosinski (1 ST tackle) and he made the most of the opportunity with the first interception and forced fumble of his career. He also had 4 tackles and 2 passes defended. Amos had 5 tackles and a PD from the other safety spot.
Fuller had 4 tackles and a PD and Porter had a PD. Hurst was the nickleback again in place of the injured Bryce Callahan, and he had 3 tackles and a QBH.
Linebacker
Player | Defense | Special Teams |
Christian Jones ILB | 42 - 75% | 11 - 37% |
Jonathan Anderson ILB | 13 - 23% | 18 - 60% |
John Timu ILB | 56 - 100% | |
Sam Acho OLB | 14 - 25% | 12 - 40% |
Pernell McPhee OLB | 20 - 36% | 1 - 3% |
Willie Young OLB | 41 - 73% | 3 - 10% |
Lamarr Houston OLB | 37 - 66% |
Rookie UDFA Timu received another start (and had the green dot as the designated play caller), but this week Christian Jones was back in for a concussed Shea McClellin. Timu and Jones each had 6 tackles, with Timu recovering 2 fumbles and Jones getting a PD and a QBH. Anderson was the 3rd ILB and he had 2 tackles.
McPhee picked up his 1st sack since week 8, giving him 6 on the season. He added 4 tackles, 2 QBH and 2 TFL and a forced fumble*. Acho had 2 tackles, Young had 3 tackles and 2 TFL and Houston had 3 tackles and a TFL.
* The FF that was originally credited to Jonathan Anderson was changed to Pernell McPhee.
Defensive Line
Player | Defense | Special Teams |
Jarvis Jenkins | 15 - 27% | 2 - 7% |
Eddie Goldman | 16 - 29% | 2 - 7% |
Will Sutton | 31 - 55% | 4 - 13% |
D'Anthony Smith | 24 - 43% | |
Mitch Unrein | 32 - 57% | 7 - 23% |
Before Goldman left with an ankle injury he was real close on the sack that went to McPhee. Jenkins played through an ankle injury, and like Goldman he didn't scratch the stat sheet.
Sutton had a tackle and a PD. Smith and Unrein each had a tackle.
Thoughts on the numbers this week?