Week 6 Aftermath: Bears Lose Heartbreaker in Last Minute
October 12, 2008 by William Hillock
Filed under Bears, NFL Football
3 words folks; What a game. I almost felt the Bears were the real deal this week, after falling behind early and for the majority of the game, Orton and the offense lead a late charge that saw the Bears take a 1 point lead with only 11 seconds left. 11 seconds…Alas, it was the Bears secondary that failed this week, as Matt Ryan was able to complete a pass that put the Falcons in field goal territory. This gave kicker Jason Elam a shot at redemption, after botching a field goal that would of won the Falcons the game earlier on. The FG put the Falcons ahead 22-20. The Bears now fall to 3-3 and face division rival Minnesota next week at Soldier Field. Looking at this week’s keys:
1) Stop the Run: Facing a better backfield in Michael Turner, the Bears were able to contain the Falcon’s run for the most part, allowing less than 100 yards rushing. Unfortunately for the Bears, it wasn’t the run defense that cost them this week, the Bears secondary was too loose and ultimately is responsible for the loss.
2) Can Kyle Top Last Week: It looked like Kyle Orton had reverted back to his old self for the first 3 quarters of today’s game, but in the 4th quarter he found his stride and played exceptionally well. Although he didn’t top last week’s numbers, he still managed to throw for over 250 yards, with a last minute touchdown and no interceptions for the second straight week. Job well done.
3) Running seems to be his ‘Forte’: Another outstanding game from Matt Forte, he learns more as each week passes. Running for 76 yards and a touchdown, while catching another 34, this kid is phenomenal. He was so close to adding a 2nd TD but was stopped on the goal line by the Falcons’ stingy defense. With Orton finally coming around and Forte playing so well, the future is bright for the Bears.
- Devin Hester was once again the go to man for Orton, catching 87 yards on 6 receptions. Orton did a great job this week of spreading around the ball, and Rashied Davis came back from an injury to catch the go ahead pass with 11 seconds left. I screamed at my TV when he made the catch!
- The Bears couldn’t seem to get anything going initially, and being stumped on the one yard line was heartbreaking, and would have changed the outcome of the game fore sure. Why Orton did not call his own number still puzzles me slightly, because I felt Forte trying to jump the line was a rookie mistake.
- This had to be the most exciting game of the Bears young season. It had everything one could ask for, except the happy ending. Even though the Bears lost, I was thoroughly entertained and saw a lot of positives.
‘Til mid-week, GO BEARS
- Will
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October 12th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
For some of us, it WAS a happy ending, but really, I think any football fan would have found something to be happy about in this game. Man - what a GREAT finish by BOTH teams!!! Chicago’s only issue was perhaps being too effective in their supposed “comeback” drive, leaving what seemed an impossible 11 seconds on the clock for the Falcons… I was already pissed off at that point, but figured, what the hell, we weren’t supposed to beat the Bears anyway… Then Elam comes in to redeem himself, and we’re on top of the division all of a sudden… Who would have thought it??????
Anyway William, hopefully we can get together at a pub for a game at some point this season, although I guess our best chance for some “real hardcore discussion” would have been today…
October 12th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
The Falcons have really surprised me this year, and the last 11 seconds say it all. I was crossing my fingers Elam would botch his second FG of the day, but it turned out to be a fairytale ending…
Even with the loss the Bears are still tied for the division lead, it looks like both the NFC North and South are going to be close all season long.
Great game again, and congrats Dan!
October 12th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Great game and this is the type of game that the Bears needed though. They are lucky the NFL Central is very average.
As for the Falcons, resiliency is what I found with them! Matt Ryan looks like a 5 year vet!
October 12th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
The Bears should never have allowed a sideline pass with that little time left. I guess Ryan just made a great throw. The game was awesome. I think with GB playing the Colts next week and the Vikes and Lions continuing to struggle the division will come right down to the last couple games.
October 12th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
A very average division at this point. Nobody wants it. The Lions are still in it, lol!
October 12th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Were the Lions ever really in it though? I’m fairly sure even they had given up hope before the first snap of the season!!! LOL…
October 13th, 2008 at 10:58 am
When I checked all the Fox feeds on my dish I could not understand why this was the game of the week but I guess that is why the people at Fox get paid the big bucks and I am here lol… Great game, great finish!! boy the NFC South is not as bad as everyone thought it would be!!! none of the teams have a losing record!! No easy games for the South this season.