Chicago Bears Week 3 Report Card

Sep 22, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Sunday Night Football bus sits outside of Heinz Field as fans take photos of it before the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Chicago Bears. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to the Chicago Bears Week 3 Report Card following an exciting – though it probably shouldn’t have been – Bears win on Sunday Night Football.

Quarterback (A-)

This was not one of Cutler’s best nights statistically speaking.  He only went 20 for 30 for 159 yards with 1 TD.  Those numbers won’t get you a win in fantasy football, but they get the job done in real football.  While the meatball fan in me loved Cutler lowering his shoulder and trucking over Robert Golden, the concerned Bears fan thought Cutty needed to get down.  For as much as the Bears have invested to try to protect him, he can’t be throwing himself, and his throwing shoulder no less, around like that.

Running Backs (B)

The Bears running game had its moments.  There were a lot of runs up the middle for little to no gain, as Matt Forte gained 87 yards rushing including a 55 yarder on 16 attempts.  Take away 1 attempt and 55 yards and you’ve got 32 yards on 15 carries.  Michael Bush looks like he’s the latest in the line of “power back” the Bears have brought in compliment Forte that isn’t all that good.  If he’s the answer as the short yardage and goal line back, there are bigger questions to be answered.

Sep 22, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett (80) catches a touchdown pass in front of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Shamarko Thomas (29) during the second half at Heinz Field. The Bears won the game, 40-23. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receivers (B+)

We thought Brandon Marshall was going to have a tough night with Ike Taylor shadowing him.  In the old days, that could have killed the Bears offense.  But in this version of the Bears, others step up.  Alshon Jeffery caught 7 balls for 51 yards and Earl Bennett has a spectacular TD catch to put the game out of reach.

Tight Ends (B)

Martellus Bennett was uncharacteristically quiet in Week 3.  He had a couple of nice catches on 5 targets for 10 yards and did well in his blocking assignments.  Dante Rosario was credited with a couple of special teams tackles.

Offensive Line (A-)

They move up a letter grade for their performance coming on the road.  Zero pre-snap penalties were HUGE, but they did give up two sacks.  The rushing game was stymied for much of the night and a couple of goal line attempts came up short.  You’ve gotta love what the rookies are doing.