Surprise: Bears Win with Big Ground Game

Every NFL team has an identity. Baltimore sets the tone with its defense while Green Bay has proven to be an offensive juggernaut behind the play of Aaron Rodgers.

For the first three weeks Chicago was searching for its identity, but struggled. The Bears aren’t a dominating defensive team anymore nor will they light up the scoreboard with a lights-out passing game.

But with Matt Forte’s career day in Sunday’s 34-29 over Carolina on Sunday, the Bears may have found a little about who they are and what will make them successful. After running the ball only 24 times in the previous two games combined, the Bears let Forte run wild, handing the ball off to him and Marion Barber 30 times against the Panthers.

Forte also became the third running back in Bears history to run more than 200 yards in a game. An elite category considering the Bears’ fabled history. The other two: Walter Payton and Gale Sayers. Not bad company.

Forte is far and away the Bears’ most dangerous offensive weapon so it only makes sense to get the ball in his hands on a more consistent basis. And although Carolina’s weak defensive line may have influenced the game plan, it was nice to see the Bears have some balance in their play-calling.

While D.J. Moore’s interception return for a touchdown was a big boost, Chicago’s defense otherwise did little right against Cam Newton and the Panther offense. The Panthers totaled 543 yards on offense, and did it on the ground and through the air. Steve Smith had another big day against the Bears -- remember the divisional playoff game in 2006 – with 181 yards receiving. Running back tandem Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 134 yards. Newton added two touchdowns on the ground as well.

The Bears struggles in run defense have shown in all four games this season and it is a definite area of concern for a defense that makes stopping the run its number-one priority; they’ve yet to hold a team under 100 yards rushing and aren’t getting much pressure on the quarterback.

Jay Cutler’s numbers – 9-for-17 passing for 102 yards and an interception – weren’t pretty by any means, but he didn’t have to be spectacular on a day when the running game was dominant. The offensive line had its best effort of the year, giving up only one sack and three quarterback hits in addition to paving the way for Forte. Allowing this unit to attack and drive off the line of the scrimmage will pay dividends in pass protection down the road.

Oh yea, then there was Devin Hester.

Hester returned a punt for a touchdown and set an NFL record in the process, becoming the first player in NFL history to have 11 special team touchdowns.

Why teams continue to punt the ball to him is beyond anyone. The NFL record holder for touchdown returns made the Panthers pay with a 69-yard  return to put the Bears up by 14 in the second quarter.

Sunday’s win was a big – and expected – victory for the Bears, who were reeling after two straight losses. At 2-2, the Bears have gotten through the most difficult quarter of their schedule, but an equally important game will come on Monday night against Detroit. Ford Field will be rocking as the Lions host their first Monday night game in 10 years. It will tell a lot about where the Bears stand in the NFC North.

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