Alshon Jeffery Big With Record 218 Yards in Bears Loss, Saints 1st Career Win in Soldier Field
@nategrayzone
After bouncing back from a loss in week 4 to Detroit Lions, the
Bears faced the Saints who remained an undefeated team as of week 5. Chicago
and New Orleans has met 3 times in the last 7 years, one of which was a NFC
Championship game (2006) the Bears won in Chicago, 39-14. The teams are 1-1
versus each other in regular season matchups since the NFC title meeting.
Reggie Bush was the Saints running back at the time and he is the guy who burned
the Bears in week 4 as a Lion.
Slow start for Chicago with a few Jay Cutler sacks and
fumbles lost for great Saints field position early in regulation. AlshonJeffery saved the Bears late in the second quarter with a TD pass catch from
Jay Cutler. That at least put Chitown on the board. Chicago allowed NO to further
their lead just seconds before halftime with a Drew Brees pass to Pierre
Thomas. Jeffery made a record 218 reception yards.
The Bears rallied to close the gap with some significant
progress in their drive in the third quarter but they settled for 3 points with
under five to go in the 3rd.
Through 2013 the Bears have been “cutting it close” and
pulling 4th quarter comebacks. New Orleans Saints led 23-10 at the
start of the 4th with Chicago starting on their own 3. Nearly an
entire field to travel to trim the lead, Trestman’s Bears did not score. As a
new coach to the Bears, Trestman’s progress was almost similar to Chip Kelly with the
Eagles in terms of hot starts and a good look on offense, but not major
improvement since weeks 1 and 2.
Linebacker Lance Briggs was whistled for an encroachment
penalty and blew the 4th and 1 defensive stop the Bears were looking
to make late in the fourth for their last hopes to make a comeback. Defensive End
Corey Wooton made the same mistake on the following play. NO turned the
opportunity into an additional 3 points to their score.
Alshon Jeffery reopened the door for hopes with his 58 yard
catch that put CHI on NO own 2. Cutler connected with Marshall for a short TD
pass, plus Matt Forte for the 2 point conversion. Saints led 26-18 with less
than three minutes in the game. He finished the game with a Bears record 218 reception yards
After falling 3-2 to the Saints Chicago will face the New
York Giants on Thursday Night Football, then another NFC match with RG3 and the
Washington Redskins before their bye week and meeting with rival Green Bay
Packers following the bye.
Marc Trestman has a short week to recover from this loss and
prepare for the New York Giants on Thursday. Chicago will be looking to end
their two game losing streak.
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