Chicago Bears Put The "F" in Fail, Getting Blown Out in Cincinnati

Max Kienzler by Analyst Written on October 25, 2009
CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 25:  Cedric Benson #32 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs with the ball  during the NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Bengals won 45-10.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears are not a playoff team.

End of story.

The Bears got destroyed today, 45-10 by Cedric Benson, Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals. This in a game that the Bears defense should have been keyed up for after all the smack talk that both Cedric Benson and Chad Johnson let loose (his name is Chad Johnson ... I don't care what is on the back of his jersey).

I am going to give you the grades for each position, but first I want to take a look at the Bengals first seven offensive possessions:

First drive: Eight plays covering 77 yards over a span of four minutes resulting in a 9-yard touchdown pass to Chris Henry.

Second drive: Eight plays covering 80 yards over the span of four minutes and nine seconds resulting in a touchdown pass to Chad Johnson.

Third drive: Seven plays covering 63 yards over the span of three minutes and four seconds resulting in a 3-yard touchdown pass to J.P. Foschi.

Fourth drive: Twelve plays, 64 yards over the span of six minutes and fifty two seconds resulting in a 8-yard Laveranues Coles touchdown reception.

Fifth drive: Four plays for six yards over the span of fifty six seconds resulting in a field goal.

Sixth drive: Nine plays covering 61 yards spanning four minutes and thirty seconds resulting in a 13-yard touchdown pass to Johnson again.

Seventh drive: Seven plays over 53 yards spanning three minutes and eight seconds ending when Cedric Benson pounded it in from one yard out.

I should also point out that to start the eighth drive, J.T. O'Sullivan took over as the QB for the Bengals.

THAT is the definition of a pathetic, uninspired performance.

But I digress...

OFFENSE:

Quarterback: Jay Cutler.

Cuter threw for 254 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He also fumbled two snaps. Does this sound like any other former Chicago Bears quarterback of old?

It wasn't entirely his fault. The complete lack of a defense did not allow him on the field for much time and one of his interceptions was on a batted ball. But still, an ugly performance.

GRADE: D

Running back: Matt Forte

Six carries for 24 yards and five receptions for 25 yards. There isn't to much to say, when losing 28-0 at halftime, you can't expect much out of your run game from there on out.

Grade: INCOMPLETE

Receivers: Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett

Hester had his first 100-yard game plus a touchdown, but he also coughed up the ball once. Knox and Bennett both had four receptions. Knox for 42 yards and Bennett for 48. Again, they weren't on the field much to really get it going.

Grade: C+ (this is because after a 45-10 blowout, no one deserves to be any higher than average)

 

Tight Ends: Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark

Did these two even play? Oh wait, they did. Although for some reason the only time I ever saw them catch a pass was on four yard out routes. Am I missing something Ron Turner? AM I? DID I MISS THE PART WHERE FOUR YARD OUT ROUTES WERE SMART PLAY CALLS WHEN FACING 3rd and 13?

Grade: C-

Offensive line:

I am not even going to bother naming each one because they all equally sucked. Chris Williams started the game with a five yard false start penalty. Kreutz had a couple low snaps, I did not hear Garza's name all day.

Although maybe that's a good thing because I heard Pace and Omiyale's names called, and never for anything positive. Pace had at least one holding penalty and Omiyale couldn't even seem to get his hands on a player long enough to hold them.

If this game did anything positive, it should be that it open's Lovie Smith's eyes to the fact that Omiyale is not a starting guard caliber player.

Man up, admit your mistake and make a change already Lovie. Right now, your butt is on the hot seat.

Grade: F

 

DEFENSE: (here is where it gets pretty)

Safeties: Kevin Payne, Danieal Manning and Al Afalava.

Payne and Afalava did not know what coverage they were playing at times. Manning missed more tackles than a ghost and their play made me sick to my stomach.

Want to know what else made me sick to my stomach? Carson Palmer who went 20-for-24 for 233 yards and five touchdowns. That is on you safeties...

Grade: F

Cornerbacks:

Single Page
Vote Now! - Author Poll

Who deserves the most blame for this loss?

  • The Defensive Line
  • Linebackers
  • Defensive backs
  • Offensive line
  • Jay Cutler
  • Lovie Smith and Ron Turner
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Who deserves the most blame for this loss?

  • The Defensive Line

    4.5%
  • Linebackers

    1.1%
  • Defensive backs

    5.6%
  • Offensive line

    10.1%
  • Jay Cutler

    19.1%
  • Lovie Smith and Ron Turner

    59.6%
  • Total votes: 89
(0)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

35 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

521
reads

35
comments

written on October 25, 2009 Game Recap

The best Bears newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.