Bears-Falcons: Chicago Let Another One Get Away in Atlanta

This game came down to defense. The Bears' defense could not stop the Falcons on 3rd-and-long, which lead to long drives and little time for the offense to work. The Bears were sitting in back, letting the speedy Falcon receivers run slants and comebacks all game, helping rookie QB Matt Ryan settle in.

The pursuit of the Bears' front four has to be questioned, as the few times they were able to force Matt Ryan out of the pocket, they were unable to finish with the sack. Not to mention that the only turnover they were able to force was given right back.

The tables were reversed this week, as the Bears were stopped at the goal line for what should have been an easy punch in. What makes the situation worse is that the Bears couldn’t capitalize on having the Falcons pinned deep in their end zone.

The second half, the Bears' offense reestablished the run and spread the field with two-tight-ends sets and drove down field. Problem is that the defense couldn’t get off the field when the game was on the line.

In all fairness, the Bears held the league's leading rusher going into this week, Michael Turner, to small yards for most of the game. 

Good: Kyle Orton. Showing poise, he drove the Bears down the field for a touchdown, which should have been the game. Orton didn’t get to have the ball too often in the first half, but in the second he managed a few good looking drives.

Bad: Defensive front. The Bears' front four didn’t get pressure all day allowing Matt Ryan to sit in the pocket and pick apart the Bears secondary. The only time they hurried Matt Ryan was when they were helped by blitzing linebackers.

Ugly: Bears pass defense. Once again, the Bears get decimated by a QB that spread the ball around and made big passes when he had to. Matt Ryan deserves a lot of credit for being patient, but as a defense, there has to be a point when enough is enough and you start challenging receivers, since your defensive line isn’t getting pressure.

Difference: Charles Tillman leaving with an injury. With Tillman in the game, the Bears were still giving up big plays in the passing game but the absence of Tillman takes away the possibility of the turnover after the catch. Turnovers are game changers and the Bears were without their best turnover producer.

The entire offseason, critics have pointed out the Bears' QB situation as being unstable at best. I believe that Kyle Orton has proved that if you put the game in his hands, he will make smart decisions and put your team in a good position to win.

However, if your defense gives up yardage and big plays the way the Bears have, all the balance and explosiveness on offense is for naught.