Bears vs Steelers First Half Recap: Bears Up 24-10

Sep 22, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass under pressure from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley (56) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Who said the Bears are bad in prime time?  They roared out of the gates in Heinz Field to take a commanding 24-10 lead after one half of football.  The offense has been efficient and while moving the ball up and down the field and the defense does what they do, take the ball away.

Let’s look at some of the highlights:

The Bears’ first drive may have only resulted in the field goal, but it consumed 8:07 on 13 plays.  The best defense is a good offense.

Matt Forte’s 55 yard run was a thing of beauty.  If. He. Could. Only. Have. Stayed. Inbounds.

Apparently Cutler was having a lot of trouble hearing the play calls in his helmet.  That might explain the two first quarter time outs.

I bring up the earlier point because I feel like Trestman was hesitatnt to challenge on the first Michael Bush no-call TD and the subsequent Martellus Bennett non-catch in the back of the end zone.  He finally used the challenge flag on the third and goal play that was called short. Out of time outs and out of challenges.  The good news is Bush, the touchdown vulture, made good on a ballsy 4th and goal run.

There’s an AMBER ALERT looking for a Chicago Bears pass rush from their defensive line.

The Bears were able to dial up some nice blitzes by DJ Williams.  He had two sacks, including a forced fumble, in the half.

Major Wright has a sweet pick-6. The Bears are making us take this stuff for granted because they do it so often.

People can say the Bears defense is lucky.  Keep believing that.  It’s not a coincidence or luck that they take the ball away EVERY WEEK.  They practice it. They preach it. They BELIEVE it.

If there’s one area the Bears defense needs to step up is in their rush defense.  They are making Jonathan Dwyer and Felix Jones look like Adrian freaking Peterson out there.  They have given up 55 rushing yards in the half to a Steelers team that entered the game averaging 37.5 yards per game.

Anthony Walters’ roughing the punter penalty that extended the Steelers drive and ultimately ended up leading to the Steelers lone TD of the game was inexcusable.  Why are the Bears even trying to block a punt or get near one when they’re already up 24-3 AND oh, by the way, they have the best punt returner in league history back there to field it???  I don’t know who’s responsible for that one, but they need to get a talkin’ to on Monday.