NFC North: Week 2 Recap

Sep 20, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (92) and linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) walk off the field after the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field. Cardinals won 48-23. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Palmer simply tore apart the Bears’ defense en route to the Arizona Cardinals’ 48-23 victory in the Windy City. The Bears’ defense simply did not have an answer for the Cardinals’ offensive attack all afternoon.

Palmer made it look easy as his picked on Bears’ cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Alan Ball with regularity. Palmer finished with 185 yards on 17-of-24 passing on the day. He tossed four touchdown passes, and threw one interception.

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The Cardinals had a lot of success simply throwing the ball down the field and landing pass interference penalties on the Bears, which is partially to blame Palmer’s low yardage total.

Fuller was called for a 42-yard pass interference penalty on Cardinals’ wide receiver John Brown in the first quarter. That play led to a touchdown. The very next drive, Ball was called for a 38-yard pass interference penalty that led to another Cardinals’ touchdown.

Larry Fitzgerald led the way for the Cardinals’ offense finishing with a stat-line of eight receptions for 112 yards and three touchdowns. He looked rejuvenated on the field on Sunday, or perhaps the Bears’ pass defense is just really bad?

The Cardinals were also able to get a rushing attack going, even in the absence of starting running back Andre Ellington and run-blocking extraordinaire and starting left guard Mike Iupati. Chris Johnson was efficient in his 20-carry 72-yard performance, but it was rookie David Johnson who stole the headlines.

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The rookie Johnson finished with 42 yards on only five carries, including an impressive 13-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter. Johnson also took the opening kickoff 108 yards to the house. The explosive rookie was incredible on Sunday afternoon, and the rest of the NFL needs to take note.

The game actually started strong for the Bears’ offense, as they were able to trade scores with the Cardinals early in the game. Quarterback Jay Cutler led two early touchdown drives, the first being a six-play 89-yard drive that was capped off with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Cutler to Joshua Bellamy.

On the Bears’ second drive, Cutler led a methodical 11-play 80-yard effort that ended in a one-yard Jeremy Langford touchdown run. Cutler and the Bears offense looked great early on, as he was sitting with 120 yards on 8-of-8 passing.

Unfortunately that changed quickly when Cutler threw an interception later in the second quarter. Cardinals’ safety Tony Jefferson took the Cutler interception 26 yards to the house in a play that not only completely changed the game, but the entire Bears’ season.

Attempting to make a tackle on the play, Cutler injured himself, left the game and did not return. It was later revealed that he suffered a hamstring injury that will hold him out for at least two weeks.

Backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen entered the game, and with no surprise to anyone, the Bears’ offense fell apart, and the team got blown out.

The Bears already have an awful defense. The offense was supposed to be the strength of this team. Without Cutler, can put up enough points to survive their leaky defense? I highly doubt it. This Bears’ team is in trouble.

Next: Packers vs. Seahawks Recap