Bears shock the GFML - and Panthers

by Chris Bearman

Blogger, Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Bears came into Soldier Field this Sunday a team that was beleaguered by many to be untalented, unable to hold their own against the likes of an elite level GFML team such as the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers came into Soldier Field with the 2nd ranked offense in points per game and yards per game, and the #1 passing attack in the GFML. The Bears' defense, however, boasted the 31st ranked passing defense.

Don't tell the Bears' defense that. They aren't listening, especially after their 31-21 victory this Sunday.

The game started with the Panthers driving early but running into some defensive resistance, forcing a punt. The Bears' offense started out terrible, with a holding penalty and a negative yardage play on a screen pass. A near sack later, and the Bears were faced with a 3rd and 22 on their own 8 yard line.

Kevin White called for the ball, and Dalton answered, with a beautiful 92 yard strike as White beat Josh Norman in one-on-one coverage and galloped into the end zone to start the scoring at 7-0.

The Panthers would answer right back, with a big 42 yard pass play to Calvin Johnson setting up a 19 yard pass from Cam Newton to Justin Blackmon to tie the score at 7.

A good Bears drive would end in no points, as Marquette King would hit the upright on a 49 yard field goal attempt. Graham Gano, the Panthers' kicker, would have no such issue, as his team set him up for a 43 yard field goal to take the lead at 10-7.

The Bears would rally behind Andy Dalton and running back Reynaldo Ball, who would bust a 38 yard run, breaking tackles and looking like a miniature Marshawn Lynch on the big play. This would get the Bears into the red zone, and they would punch it in with Ball from 1 yard out to take the lead again at 14-10.

Cam Newton would make his first error of the day late in the second quarter in an attempt to run a two-minute drill. His pass sailed high over tight end Greg Olsen's head into the arms of Patrick Robinson.

This fortune would turn into points, as Dalton would hit tight end Vance McDonald from 7 yards out to take a 21-10 lead.

Cam would bring his team back down the field, but could only get as close as the 1 yard line before having to call his last timeout to get Graham Gano onto the field to kick a gimme field goal from 18 yards out to end the half at 21-13.

The Bears would stall on their first drive of the second half, and Cam Newton would get picked off by Kam Chancellor on a great individual effort to fight Calvin Johnson for the football late in the 3rd quarter.

"Hell of a play, hell of a reaction. I didn't think Kam (Chancellor) had it at first honestly," Coach Winuvas said of the play.

The third quarter would end on a 42 yard field goal by Marquette King to extend the lead to 24-13.

Cam Newton would again lead his offense back down the field, and get close enough for Christine Michael to score from 2 yards out to get the game closer. A successful 2 point conversion would make it a field goal game at 24-21.

The Bears' offense would not be able to move the ball much against the Panthers' stout defense, and the Bears' defense would be asked to make one more play.

And they did.

With just under three minutes left, linebacker LeKambrick Moss jumped a route and picked off Newton for the third time, taking it down to the 2 yard line before Newton himself dove at him to knock him off his feet. One play later, Reynaldo Ball would drive in from those 2 yards out to make the score 31-21.

Cam valiantly tried to get his team another score, but a drop on 4th and 13 ended the Panthers' hopes.

For the Panthers, Cam Newton got his yards but not his usual touchdowns, hitting on 19 of 31 passes for 326 yards and 1 touchdown but 3 interceptions. The run game was not utilized much, but it was effective, with Christine Michael getting 11 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. Both tight end Greg Olsen (6/96) and Kelvin Benjamin (6/93) were solid on the day, but Justin Blackmon's only catch was the only passing touchdown. Defensively, linebacker Luke Kuechly had 5 tackles.

For the Bears, Andy Dalton was again effective, going 13 of 20 for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns. Reynaldo Ball once again proved coach Bob Winuvas' faith in him, getting 13 carries for 95 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Kevin White had 3 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, while Alshon Jeffery also contributed 5 catches for 97 yards in the effort. Defensively, the team had 4 sacks (Derrick Morgan had 2, while Damon Harrison and Pernell McPhee each had 1) and 3 interceptions (LeKambrick Moss, Kam Chancellor, and Patrick Robinson), while Kam Chancellor also led the team in tackles with 6.

"Total team effort. That's all I can say about these guys right now," Coach Winuvas said during the press conference. "We have challenged these guys to give maximum effort every play, and right now they are giving us everything they have. I can't say they are the most talented squad out there, but they definitely refuse to give up. And that's all you can ask for as a coach."

The 9-3 Panthers travel to New Orleans to take on the reeling 4-8 Saints, who have lost a lot of their offensive firepower to injury.

At 5-7, the Bears now face the 4-8 Ravens in a game that the Bears desperately need to maintain what little hope they have for a playoff berth. With games against the Ravens as well as their division mates, the Bears could potentially win the NFC North if all fell their way. When Coach Winuvas took over midway through the season, he promised a team that would fight on defense and offense and never give up. The team has certainly bought into the coach's vision.