Chicago Bears Week 5 Game Ball
Brandon Marshall, Peanut Tillman and Lance Briggs celebrate during the Bears’ 41-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune)
After a 41-3 victory over the Jaguars, there are plenty of worthy candidates for our Week 5 Game Ball. That might not have been the case at halftime, but a 38-0 second half propelled the Bears to an easy victory. Let’s see our nominees.
Corey Wootton
With the Jags driving late in the first half, Wooton created a spark with a strip and sack to kill the Jaguars’ drive and turn the whole game around. If the Jaguars go into the locker room up 10-3 or even 6-3, the outcome might not have been quite the same. Wootton is starting to emerge from the crowd of “those other D-linemen” and make a name for himself besides the guy who ended Brett Favre’s career.
Peanut Tillman
Mike Brown’s name is revered among Beardom, so breaking his franchise record of 8 return defensive touchdowns puts Tillman on the list for the Game Ball. As much as Corey Wootton’s forced fumble turned the game around, Peanut Tillman turned the tide that the Jaguars would never recover.
Lance Briggs
Oct 7, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs (55) is trailed by Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Mike Thomas (80) as he returns an interception for a 36-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game at EverBank Field. The Bears won 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE
Lance Briggs has racked up over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns over the last two weeks. That’s not all that impressive until you consider that Briggs is a linebacker. He added four tackles and a sack for good measure.
Brandon Marshall
Oct 7, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) makes a 24-yard touchdown catch as Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox (21) defends in the fourth quarter of their game at EverBank Field. The Bears won 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE
12 catches. 144 yards. 1 Touchdown. Those are not stats that had not frequently been seen in these parts, yet Marshall is making it routine. Marshall racked up 100 of his yards in the second half, just shredding the Jaguars secondary. Jay Cutler’s #1 target will have to step up even more with news rookie Alshon Jeffery will miss some time.
Chris Pettry
This is the Bears fan who was tragically murdered in Jacksonville in the early hours of Sunday morning before the game. Originally I was going to nominate the Bears fans, but let’s give this game ball to Chris, who never got to see that game and whose family will never see him again.
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