Biggs: Four downs: Defense delivers for Bears

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Four downs: Defense delivers for Bears

By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter
11:58 PM CST, November 7, 2011

Defense delivers: The Bears have been built to win with defense. It has been that way since Lovie Smith arrived in 2004. It was that way Monday night when the unit had a six-point lead to protect with 3:58 to play. The Eagles drove to the Bears' 39 at the two-minute warning when Tim Jennings nearly picked off a 10-yard out route intended for DeSean Jackson. It was the first in a series of big plays. Jeremy Maclin was smothered on an incomplete third-down throw then slipped and was stopped short on fourth down as the unit held. It was a strong all-around effort against a dangerous offense.

O-line sharp: The longer this offensive line sticks together, the harder it is going to be for the coaching staff to break it up. Lance Louis might not project as a right tackle, but he's doing a solid job, and Chris Spencer continues to be a steady option at right guard. The team hasn't said much about the situation with rookie right tackle Gabe Carimi other than he didn't respond physically quite like they thought he would practicing last week. He suffered a serious knee injury and will take time for him to be ready. As discombobulated as the line had been earlier in the season, changing the lineup could create another adjustment period.

Welcome back, Earl: It didn't take long to see what a major factor Earl Bennett's absence has been for the offense. Jay Cutler looked to him early and he looked at him on third downs. Maybe it was easy to lose focus of what Bennett means to the offense because he's not a starter and isn't going to beat Devin Hester or Johnny Knox in foot races, but he's dependable and he's more elusive than anyone gives him credit for. Bennett made big catches — a 26-yard gain on third-and-16 in the second quarter helped set up a field goal — and provided a dimension that was missing between the numbers.

Not money plays: Two players gunning for big bucks made big errors. Bears running back Matt Forte lost two fumbles after going 347 touches without one. Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson lost a fumble on a punt return. All three miscues led to touchdowns. It's tough to get too down on Forte, considering his immense value to the offense to this point in the season. Jackson said early in the season his primary concern is remaining healthy for his payday. No word where ball security ranked on his priority list. Not high enough in this instance as Corey Graham and Zack Bowman made a good play to get the ball out.