Noots' Notes Game 15: 20-17 Win over GB in OT

[Noots]

Noots’ Notes-Game 15: 20-17 Win over Green Bay in OT
By
Michael Nudo

The Bears (9-6) used smoke, mirrors and a little bit of luck to fight their way back from a 14-3 halftime deficit and beat Green Bay (5-10) 20-17 in overtime in front of a frozen Soldier Field crowd. With temperatures hovering around zero, the Chicago faithful were treated to a real nail-biter to keep playoff hopes alive and to avenge an embarrassing 37-3 loss in Green Bay just over a month ago.

It took Brown’s block to send it to overtime (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh).

OFFENSE

Quarterback
Kyle Orton (14-27-142, TD, 2 INT) had a poor game. He was inaccurate throughout the contest, missing open receivers short, long and wide. Orton lacked the poise he showed early in the season and it showed when he threw a rocket to Hester at short range that was too hot to handle. His two interceptions were bad throws. Orton was sacked three times, although it had less to do with the pass rush and more to do with how long he was holding the ball and how ineffective his receivers were at getting off the jam at the line of scrimmage. Early in the season, Orton was able to make checks at the line to put the Bears in good running and passing plays. It doesn’t appear he’s doing that anymore. Orton’s lone highlight was when he found Greg Olsen running a post in the right side of the end zone for a short touchdown. GRADE: D

Running Backs
Matt Forte (22/73, TD, 2-28) was again the only offense the Bears could muster. All day long, the Bears were running into the middle of the over/under shifted defensive line of the Packers. This means there was a weak side to run to that was not exploited. Finally, with the game on the line, Forte cut off left tackle to find a big opening for 28 yards. Jason Davis started at fullback for Jason McKie. Davis led the way for Forte’s touchdown run over left guard. But Davis’ pad level was poor on the touchdown. He seemed to be reaching and if he would have met resistance would have been blown up. Adrian Peterson (2/2) spelled Forte for a series and didn’t find the going any easier. GRADE: C-

Receivers
Tight ends Greg Olsen (5-49, TD) and Desmond Clark (4-37) were Orton’s top receivers. Olsen picked up key yardage in overtime to set up the winning field goal. He also missed a block from the fullback position on a running play. Rashied Davis was benched in favor of Brandon Lloyd, who was only able to amass one reception for 16 yards. He also fell down on one of the few occasions when he was open. On the other side, Devin Hester (2-12) had a false start, a drop of an under thrown pass and another reception taken away by replay review. Hester and Lloyd were completely stymied by the aggressive play of the Packer cornerbacks (can somebody send this game film to our defensive coordinator, as well as the last game against Green Bay?). Marty Booker made an appearance. He was on the field long enough to have a ball ricochet off his pads for a drop on a curl route in the right seam. GRADE: D

Offensive Line
I’m not sure which player among the interior three of Josh Beekman, Olin Kreutz or Roberto Garza had Ron Turner’s ear. Clearly, somebody must have been telling him that they were able to handle the interior of the Packers’ defense. Clearly, they could not. Tackles John St. Clair and John Tait were only average on the edge. Tait was whistled for a false start that stopped play long enough for the previous play to be reviewed, taking a reception off the board for Hester. This line was unfairly lumped in with the defensive line in the first game by many who said the Packers dominated the Bears on both fronts. In this game, the offensive line didn’t do enough to keep the offense on the field and deserves any criticism sent their way. Pass protection was fair, but could have been better. GRADE: D

DEFENSE

Defensive Line
The Bears made great efforts to stifle the Green Bay rushing attack that beat them up for 200 yards in their first meeting. They held the Packers to 65 yards on 29 carries (2.2 yards per carry). The starting line of Adewale Ogunleye (5 tackles), Tommie Harris (4 tackles, 3 TFL), Anthony Adams (1 tackle) and Alex Brown (2 tackles, INT, PD) were able to wall off Ryan Grant and the Green Bay rushing attack. Tommie Harris broke free to make a few key stops for losses. Brown alertly hauled in a deflection for an interception. Backups Marcus Harrison, Israel Idonije and Mark Anderson all made contributions. As exceptional as they were against the run, they were equally as abysmal in generating pressure on quarterback Aaron Rodgers (24-39-260, 2 TD, INT). Adewale Ogunleye was not able to exploit the matchup he had against backup Tony Moll. GRADE: B

Linebackers
Lance Briggs (6 tackles, 2 TFL, PD) turned in numerous tackles for losses and big hits on Ryan Grant (25/61, 3-20, TD). He stood out among the linebackers, while Nick Roach (2 tackles, TFL) and Brian Urlacher (3 tackles, TFL) had quiet games. Roach was off the field in favor of Danieal Manning, who made an impact in nickel packages. Packers running backs and tight ends were not as big of a factor as in the previous game. GRADE: C

Secondary
Nickel defender Danieal Manning blitzed to provide what little pressure the Bears put on Rodgers. In fact, Manning (2 tackles, PD) deflected a pass at the line, which resulted in Alex Brown’s interception. He was also an eyelash away from a sack, having Rodgers in his grasp and going down before the pass was thrown. Cornerback Corey Graham (9 tackles, 2 PD) broke up two long pass plays to end Green Bay drives. He was very sure in his tackling, especially on the quick passes along the line of scrimmage that doomed the Bears so often early in the season. Charles Tillman (3 tackles) had a quieter game and was banged up a bit at the end of the first half. Mike Brown (6 tackles) was tough on the running plays but missed a tackle on a slant, resulting in a big gain. He also left the game with an injury. Craig Steltz played the second half for Brown. Steltz was run over (read: no wrap) by Ryan Grant on his 17-yard touchdown reception at the end of the first half. Safety Kevin Payne (8 tackles, TFL) was beaten by tight end Jermichael Finley for 35 yards to convert a third down. The secondary did just enough to prevent Donald Driver (6-63) and Greg Jennings (6-38, TD) from having big days. GRADE: B-

Special Teams

The biggest play of the game was Alex Brown’s block of Green Bay’s 38-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation. The block preserved the tie and meant the Bears would have a shot at winning in overtime. The Packers were rewarded with good field position on their final drive when kick coverage broke down and the usually stellar special teams ace Adrian Peterson committed unnecessary roughness by dragging down Will Blackmon well out of bounds. Robbie Gould came through in the clutch, hitting a 31-yard field goal in the first half and the game winner from 38 in overtime. Danieal Manning was again excellent returning kickoffs. He had a 70-yard return in the first half. Devin Hester returned three punts for 40 yards. He looks like he’s starting to turn the corner in that he’s now running forward instead of backward. Rashied Davis forced a blocker into a loose punt, which the Bears recovered to extend a drive and flip field position. The Packers were able to execute a fake punt, with backup quarterback Matt Flynn running 6 yards for a first down. Brad Maynard only put two of his six kicks inside the 20-yard line but overall had a good game. Punt coverage was good but kickoff coverage was below average. GRADE: B

Coaching

This was an abysmal offensive performance. Did Ron Turner forget the part of his playbook that includes running plays off tackle? Was it misplaced? Where are the cutback running plays for misdirection? After seeing so many other receivers fail to get open, how much different would it be if Earl Bennett were allowed to play? What happened to the no huddle and making adjustments at the line? On defense, the play was better, but still aggravating. The blitz schemes are too predictable. They create few mismatches and overloads. There were too many conversions on third and long allowed. With a patchwork offensive line, why not challenge them? The offense is regressing, the defense is making progress, and overall, the Bears somehow found a way to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. GRADE: C-

Noots’ Nut Crackers
Lance Briggs on Ryan Grant
Mike Brown on Ryan Grant
Ryan Grant on Craig Steltz

Nudo’s Kudos
Alex Brown
Danieal Manning
Corey Graham
Lance Briggs
Greg Olsen

Horns
Kyle Orton
Adrian Peterson

[Connorbear]

My favorite part:

 

I’m not sure which player among the interior three of Josh Beekman, Olin Kreutz or Roberto Garza had Ron Turner’s ear. Clearly, somebody must have been telling him that they were able to handle the interior of the Packers’ defense. Clearly, they could not.

 

FYI - Earl Bennett did play. Davis has been demoted to special teams. Bennett was in on 2 series I believe.

 

Thanks for the post.

 

Peace

[madlithuanian]

Great post!

 

However, you're too generous on the coaching grade!

 

As bad as the O was, the D was not much better! Constantly giving up 1st on 3rd and long is just horriffic. Also, playing the DB's so far off WR's constantly is an issue.

 

I think O = F

D = D

ST = A

 

Maybe that does average out to a C...but if only for ST.

[Pixote]

I have been extemely disappointed in the play of Orton since returning from his injury. I was willing to give him a pass the first 2 weeks he returned but he is healthy enough where he has no excuse for the play he has shown.

 

I am confident that Rex will leave and try to get onto the roster of a team that will give him a chance as a starter. Kyle has another year on his contract and as I believe Connorbear said, as a number 2, ok, as a number 1, no.

 

I want to see them give C Hanie a shot at the starting position next spring. We also need to bring in a journeyman QB to backup and hold the clipboard or draft another QB prospect to try and develop.

 

I know Hanie was just a rookie. I know he was an undrafted FA at that. However, I was super impressed with his poise, mobility, mechanics, decision making, etc... in the short time he had in preseason. I would be thrilled to see him get a chance to start in preseason next year with the #1s and see how he does.

[madlithuanian]

Sold!

 

I have been extemely disappointed in the play of Orton since returning from his injury. I was willing to give him a pass the first 2 weeks he returned but he is healthy enough where he has no excuse for the play he has shown.

 

I am confident that Rex will leave and try to get onto the roster of a team that will give him a chance as a starter. Kyle has another year on his contract and as I believe Connorbear said, as a number 2, ok, as a number 1, no.

 

I want to see them give C Hanie a shot at the starting position next spring. We also need to bring in a journeyman QB to backup and hold the clipboard or draft another QB prospect to try and develop.

 

I know Hanie was just a rookie. I know he was an undrafted FA at that. However, I was super impressed with his poise, mobility, mechanics, decision making, etc... in the short time he had in preseason. I would be thrilled to see him get a chance to start in preseason next year with the #1s and see how he does.

[Connorbear]

I have been extemely disappointed in the play of Orton since returning from his injury. I was willing to give him a pass the first 2 weeks he returned but he is healthy enough where he has no excuse for the play he has shown.

 

I am confident that Rex will leave and try to get onto the roster of a team that will give him a chance as a starter. Kyle has another year on his contract and as I believe Connorbear said, as a number 2, ok, as a number 1, no.

 

I want to see them give C Hanie a shot at the starting position next spring. We also need to bring in a journeyman QB to backup and hold the clipboard or draft another QB prospect to try and develop.

 

I know Hanie was just a rookie. I know he was an undrafted FA at that. However, I was super impressed with his poise, mobility, mechanics, decision making, etc... in the short time he had in preseason. I would be thrilled to see him get a chance to start in preseason next year with the #1s and see how he does.

I'm with Hampton on Orton. Get better talent around him, get him healthy, and lets see what happens. I really like his prep work before the game, his poise during the game, and his leadership. I heard in an interview earlier this yr that Kyle felt the change in the footwork had led to most of his success. After his injury, he said that his footwork changes were negated because of the injury and would need to deal with it for the rest of the yr.

 

I would bring in a vet to compete with Kyle next yr. Hanie is a few yrs away.

 

Peace

[Pixote]

I hear what you are saying and agree to an extent. However I want to see Hanie get enough reps in preseason to give him the chance to earn the position as starter. If Orton beats him out, fine, but give the kid a shot.

 

Same goes for our thinking on WRs. Would we have been better off with Haas and Rideau as starting WRs? Both were impressive in camp. Could they be any worse than what we have been fielding?

 

As far as I am concerned, Lloyd, Bennett (needs another yr to show up), and Hester are the only WRs that I would be concerned with and then give Rideau and Haas a shot. Draft a WR in the top of the draft and bring in a FA.

 

And least we forget, draft another OT and an OG in the top half of the draft or go FA and further solidify the OL.

[flea]

Man something seems to have clicked on Manning since he took over KR duties. He has been playing exceptionally well on both ST & D recently.

 

Maynards rugby style punt was brilliant & if Jones had not thought the ball was touched & went for TD instead of downing it, his night would have been even better.

[Pixote]

Man something seems to have clicked on Manning since he took over KR duties. He has been playing exceptionally well on both ST & D recently.

 

Maynards rugby style punt was brilliant & if Jones had not thought the ball was touched & went for TD instead of downing it, his night would have been even better.

 

I agree, Manning has brought some excitement back into our Kickoff returns. I wonder how he would fair doing Punt returns? Hester did look a bit better last night. I think if Hester would break one for a TD he would be ok afterwords. I truly believe it is more psychological with him than anything else.

 

Maynard & Gould are solid and usually come up big for the team.

[Bears4Ever_34]

Uh What's his name from LSU #20, Steltz should be in your bad area for getting blown up by Ryan Grant.