Chicago Bears Week 12: Takeaways

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3.) Bryce Callahan was the defensive MVP in the first half

I’ve mentioned the undrafted rookie out of Rice in my last three takeaways and he’s gotten better every week since taking over as the slot corner. Callahan was all over the field in the first half on Thursday with a tackle for loss, a pass deflection in the end zone, and a TD saving tackle on Randall Cobb (that was overturned by penalty). He was matched up with one of the league’s best slot receivers in Randall Cobb and Callahan more than held his own.

Callahan deflected another pass in the end zone on the Packers last play of the game and overall held Cobb to just 6 catches for 74 yards, which against the Bears is a bad game for Cobb. I mentioned last week that the Bears might have found a long-term piece for their secondary in Callahan and I’m feeling much better about it now after his performance against the Packers.

4.) Tracy Porter was the overall defensive MVP

Porter was targeted ten times by Aaron Rodgers and had four pass deflections which is the most ever by a player in a single-game against Aaron Rodgers (Stats LLC). He also had a clutch interception with 3:23 left in the game and should have had another one in the first quarter but it was wiped out about by a phantom penalty call.

Porter has been the Bears best corner the last three weeks and the veteran minimum contract the Bears signed Porter to this offseason is looking like one of the best deals by any team. Porter is locking down the opposing team’s best WR and playing with confidence and aggression lately. If Porter continues to play at this level, he should have a shot at the Pro Bowl.

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5.) Chris Prosinski, I apologize

I was rough on Prosinski in my recap last week and in my pre-game posts, but he looked like a completely different player in his second start for the Bears. I’m at least sure that it isn’t Chris Conte wearing a Prosinski jersey now.

Prosinski made one of the most important plays of the night, knocking the ball free from Eddie Lacy after a long run and giving the Bears good field position which they capitalized on for their first TD. He also made a TD saving tackle on a James Starks screen pass, which held Green Bay to just three points.

6.) Willie Young and Lamarr Houston are solidifying the other OLB spot

Pernell McPhee has been a force for the Bears at the left OLB spot but the Bears weren’t getting much production out of the other side early in the year. That has changed the last few weeks as both Willie Young (3 sacks) and Lamarr Houston (5 sacks) are playing their best football of the season lately.

They both had strong games against Green Bay with a sack each and disciplined contain to keep Aaron Rodgers from escaping the pocket and extending plays like he’s done so well against the Bears in his career. Contain plays don’t show up on the stat sheet, but keeping Rodgers from scrambling out of the pocket and extending plays is just as important as their pass rush contributions.

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