Chicago Bears: 6 Players Who Contributed Most in the Win over the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to be the Dream Team, but the Chicago Bears continue to give them nightmares.

Chicago's pass protection and run blocking were great; the defense bent but didn't break.

And thanks to these special contributors, the Bears left Philadelphia with a 5-3 record and a better chance to make the playoffs.

No.6 Matt Spaeth

Matt Spaeth, one of Chicago's starting tight ends, had just three catches entering the game, but his two receptions against the Eagles were impressive. 

Furthermore, his run blocking and pass protection were equally important: Matt Forte posted 100-plus yards rushing again, and Cutler wasn't sacked all game. 

Spaeth's first catch was a Jay Cutler fastball that stayed low and away, out of the defender's reach and into his arms for a touchdown.

Primarily a run blocker, Spaeth is often the fifth or sixth option on offense so he's a perfectly disguised receiver in the red zone. Philly's defense gave him just enough room to slip past the goal line and make the grab.

Bears fans have been heard screaming for Greg Olsen but Spaeth's blocking is far better and clearly, his hands are great, too.

His second reception was a fingernail snag good for eight yards, despite solid coverage. Who knew this guy could catch like that?

No. 5 Lance Briggs

Lance Briggs registered just five tackles. But his containment on Michael Vick was All-Pro caliber and he commanded respect from the Eagles' QB.

On one play, Briggs chased Vick from across the field and conceded a few yards but caught up to prevent a big gain.

It was the perfect example of what Lance was able to do all night: keep Vick in the backfield and not let him escape the weak side of the pocket.

He was often the last line of defense between Vick tossing it downfield into coverage or taking off on foot to run for it. And it says something that Vick usually tried to pass when he saw Briggs in the flat.

But even that didn't work all the time. One of those passes was tipped by Briggs into the arms of Bears safety Major Wright.

For opponents, it could get worse. After the game, Briggs said, "We're playing better and better each week. Our signature game is still ahead of us, but we're progressing." 

No. 4 Julius Peppers

When Peppers was writhing on the field while receiving attention from Bears' trainers, the city of Chicago was holding its collective breath.

For a moment, everyone had the same question: what would this defense look like without Peppers?

It's hard to imagine they would beat the Eagles.

Because the Bears got enough pressure from the four defensive lineman that they didn't need to send many blitzes against Vick, sitting in a seven-man zone for most of the night and daring him to run. 

That is a testament to Peppers.

Most teams have to blitz someone to generate pressure. But Peppers draws double teams, which means the defense can keep an extra man in zone coverage. In that sense, he counts as two players.

When Peppers came back in the game after getting hurt he gave the Bears a spark. His sack of Vick on the subsequent third down—his only tackle of the night—was an emotional lift for a Chicago defense that had just spent five minutes worried about life without him. 

Fortunately, they have him healthy for at least another week. That means the rest of the NFL can resume holding their breath when they face him.

No. 3 Brian Urlacher

If Vick is Superman then Brian Urlacher is kryptonite; Vick was powerless and has never defeated Urlacher.

Even though former Bears defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan was honored at halftime for his work as an Eagle, he must have been proud of the way Urlacher upheld the middle linebacker tradition for Chicago.

Yes, Vick is the prototypical quarterback—lightning speed and an amazing arm give him weapons few NFL starters can match—but Urlacher is the prototypical linebacker: fast enough to play safety in college but with the size and strength needed for the NFL.

Against Vick, McCoy and the Eagles, Urlacher was a wrecking crew. He logged 11 tackles—twice as much as anyone else on the team.

He was also seen spying on LeSean McCoy in the first half, which is why Shady couldn't escape the backfield for a big gain. And he also knocked down two Vick passes.

Turns out, Urlacher is the Real McCoy. 

No. 2 Jay Cutler

Against the Eagles, Cutler did everything a winning quarterback does.

His numbers were good, 18-of-32 for 208 yards and two touchdowns, but it was his ability to execute when it mattered—his leadership—that made the difference. 

While Matt Forte was fumbling away opportunities, Cutler saved his best throws for third down and the red zone.

Twice he threaded the needle to Matt Spaeth and the first was a touchdown. On third down alone, Jay was 7-of-11 for 112 yards and kept the offense moving.

He expected the same effort from everyone. Ask Roy Williams and Dane Sanzenbacher what it was like to return to the huddle after dropping passes that hit them in the hands. 

Cutler wasn't perfect but his bad throws weren't intercepted. Twice he threw short to Hester when airing it out would have put Devin in a better position to make the catch.

Still, when the Eagles took the lead, 24-17, he led the Bears to 13 straight points—enough to win.

No. 1 Earl Bennett

Mr. Earl "Third Down" Bennett was the game's MVP.

Of all the contributors, his appearances and touches made the most difference, catching five passes for 95 yards and a game-deciding TD.

When the Bears needed a play, he came through. Bennett's first three catches all converted third downs and he seemed to take it personally that Eagles receivers Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson garnered most of the pregame attention.

Maclin had two costly drops in the fourth quarter, and DeSean Jackson's fumble set up the Bears' touchdown before halftime. 

Bennett proved the best receiver doesn't have to be the fastest or the tallest—the best receiver catches everything thrown to him; it's all he's ever done.

Bennett was the SEC's all-time leader in receptions (236) when he graduated, caught more passes in the SEC over two years than anyone in history, and posted a record 75-plus receptions for three straight years. He simpy has great hands.

The QB who threw to him his first year at Vanderbilt? The same Jay Cutler who starts for the Bears. So it's no surprise Bennett came up big: Jay has been trusting him to catch it since 2005.

Like Cutler said after the game, "He's a special player. He brings a different dimension out there. He's able to get the catch, run after the catch...he's got a great feel."

Honorable Mentions

The Bears offensive line didn't give up a sack, but that was partially due to keeping at least one TE/FB to block on every play and often operating from multiple TE formations.

That same protection provided nice blocking for Matt Forte, who rushed for 133 yards and would have made the list if not for two fumbles.

Roy Williams made three nifty grabs (but missed two easier ones).

Marion Barber was solid in short yardage situations, including the kind of two-yard TD run that's been tough for Chicago the past five seasons. He finished with 31 yards on nine carries.

And though Chicago's young safeties didn't play perfect—Chris Conte was badly fooled when he took a poor angle against McCoy—they didn't allow a big play TD.

Major Wright even came up with an interception off a pass tipped by Briggs, which is expected of Chicago's safeties but doesn't always happen.

So, like any team that just upset a playoff contender on the road, the Bears roster seems full of stars. 

At least for one night, there's a Dream Team in Chicago, too.