Going into the 2010-11 season, the Bears are hoping to turn it around, and get back to the playoffs for the first time in three years. Jay Cutler especially is hoping to rebound from a disastrous season, which included him having 26 interceptions. The Bears brought in offensive mastermind Mike Martz to help the struggling quarterback and offense. The Bears also made some key moves in the off season, bringing in Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor to back up starter Matt Forte. Despite what the “experts” say, the Bears organization and fans are looking forward to an expected big year.
The Bears opened up the season against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Things started off good for the Bears from the get-go. They marched right down the field using a good mix of the run and the pass. However, the Lions held the Bears back, and forced a field goal by Robbie Gould. Despite not getting into the end zone, the Bears had to be happy to get some points and take the lead.
After the fast start by the Bears, things started to snowball for Chicago’s team. Cutler tried to force a pass to Johnny Knox on a long 3rd and 20, and ended up throwing an interception after the Lions tipped it a couple times. This interception led to Detroit marching down right down the field and into the end zone on a Jahvid Best Touchdown run. The Bears now trailed 7-3.
The Bears started driving the ball down field again, before Greg Olsen fumbled while trying to get yards after the catch. This time the defense forced a three and out. The Bears got the ball back and marched right down the field before Matt Forte fumbled the ball. The Bears defense couldn’t contain the Lion’s offense this time. The Lions went down the field and got another touchdown, Jahvid Best finished the drive off again by running for his second Touchdown run of the game, and in this rookie’s bright, young career.
The Lions had seized the momentum and it looked like they would go into halftime with a 14-3 lead. However, the Bears would have none of that. Jay Cutler hit Matt Forte on a short screen pass and Forte ran it all the way into the end zone on an 89 yard Touchdown pass by Cutler. The Lions got the ball back and this time Julius Peppers sacked Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, and forced him to fumble, the Bears recovering the fumble. After the play Stafford appeared to injure himself. Stafford would come out and not play again for the rest of the game. The fumble led to another Robbie Gould field goal. The Bears now, had seized the momentum. However, the Lions still led 14-13 going into halftime.
Both offenses would stall in the third quarter. Jay Cutler had a fumble while being sacked from behind. This was the Bears' fourth turnover of the game. Charles Tilman picked off an errant Shaun Hill pass, helping the Bears in a much-needed turnover. Hill came in as quarterback in the second half because of the Stafford injury.
The third quarter didn’t have much action, but the fourth quarter was the opposite. Lance Briggs of the Bears sacked Hill and forced a fumble, and he recovered it at the Lions one yard line. The Bears were in prime position for a score. Or so you thought, Forte failed on two run attempts and Cutler threw a pass away, leading to a 4th down on the Lion one yard line. Common sense would lead you to think that the Bears would take the sure field goal and take the lead. The fourth quarter was halfway over with and the Bears defense was able to hold the Lions offense to do basically nothing all second half. Lovie Smith was thinking the opposite of everyone else and decided to go for it. Of course, Forte got stuffed at the one yard line. The Bear’s defense did their job, like they did for the whole second half up to this point. The Bears then capitalized on great field position, Cutler hit Forte on a 28 yard Touchdown pass to take the lead, 19-14. The Bears went for two but couldn’t get it. This was where the game got interesting. The Lions got the ball, and with ease strode right down the field and into prime position to take the lead. Now the stage was set for one of the most controversial plays of the weekend. Shaun Hill threw up a deep ball to Calvin Johnson. Johnson proceeded to catch the ball, come down with it, then swung his arm over with the ball in it, and dropped the ball in celebration of the “Touchdown." The play would be reviewed because the ruling on the field was, no Touchdown. The rule is, if you're going to the ground in the process of making the catch you need to finish with the football. Johnson had possession of the ball going to the ground, but didn’t finish the so called “process” with the ball. So no Touchdown for Johnson. The Lions then proceeded to turn the ball overdowns, and the Bears had won the game. The final score being 19-14.
The Bears open the season with a non-convincing win over a not so good Lions football team. The Bears started right where they left off last season with five turnovers in the game, counting the idiotic turnover on downs deep in the Lions zone. The Bears looked strong at points, but could never capitalize on good field position all day. Realistically, the Bears should have crushed this Lions team. Despite all these negative comments, the Bears won the game no matter how ugly it was. After all, winning, no matter how you do it, is what counts in the National Football League. The Bears will face the Tony Romo led Dallas Cowboys next Sunday at noon.
By Andrew Mason
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