Kyle Orton set career highs in passing yards,
completions and quarterback rating while throwing two touchdowns in leading the Bears to a 34-7 victory over the hapless Lions.
The post Matt Millen era was much of the same for the Lions, another “L.”
After criticizing Orton and offensive coordinator Ron Turner earlier in the season for a lack of downfield passing attack, I was thoroughly impressed by Turner’s aggressive play calling and Orton’s ability to throw the deep ball.
Orton demonstrated great touch on some of his deep throws and his favorite target, Brandon Lloyd, was out with a knee injury. In his absence, wide receivers Rashied Davis and Devin Hester stepped up and had great games. Davis had six receptions for 97 yards and Hester had five receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown.
What was most encouraging about the passing game was that it didn’t get much support from the running game. Running backs Matt Forte and Kevin Jones combined for 72 yards rushing, although Forte did have two touchdowns.
Forte is so valuable because of his ability to catch the ball coming out of the backfield. He’s a great weapon and a safety net for Orton.
Now granted, the Bears were playing the Lions, the worst team in the NFC besides the Rams. But Turner opened up the playbook and Orton stepped up and made some great throws.
Looking forward, the Bears are at Atlanta next week and then have a home game against Minnesota before their bye week. If the Bears can pull these two games out, which they should, they would be sitting pretty at 5-2 heading into the bye week and in first place in the division.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Orton’s career day propels Bears to blowout win over Lions
Posted by UISJMC Chiakulas at 2:56 PM
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6 comments:
I was amazed at how good the Bears offense looked. Right now they are tops in their division and with the way everyone else is playing who knows what could happen for them. Orton will have to continue to improve but today he looked pretty good.
I understand the Bears offense looked good today, but in no way would I put any stock into that game. It was Detroit! Their defense has been pathetic for years and unfortunately for their fans, they seem to be getting worse if that's possible. The Bears should be 5-2 when the bye week rolls around because as we have seen, Atlanta and Minnesota like to run the ball so the defense should be able to contain them. Don't count on the offensive explosions though, especially agianst Minnesota. That game looks like it will be offensively challenged.
Not just Detroit, Orton has now impressed with the passing game for two straight games (1 and a half i suppose if you could him as only having a good half against the Eagles). Everyone bashes Detroits D, but I am going to send props to D Hest for finally learning how to contribute in the passing game and I am very impressed with the maturation of Olsen and Forte in the passing game.
This division is totally wide open. Who knows what Minnesota and Green Bay are capable of. Both have their moments, but have several visible flaws as well.
Chicago is beatable as well, but if they win games that's all that matters. Right now they are winning, but let's wait and see what happens when the Bears face the Packers and Vikings.
nagel, the division is wide open, but I'd have to say the Bears have played the best so far. They should be 5-0 if not for collapsing in the 4th quarter against Carolina and Tampa.
The Packers look like they are going downward, two straight losses. Big win for the Vikings tonight at New Orleans.
I don't care if it was the Lions, the Bears looked sharp Sunday. Orton proved that he can hit receivers if he's given ample time. Forte was excellent in the first half and should have a good career. I was really surprised with Hester. I hadn't seen enough of him as a receiver to know what he could do. He ran crisp routes and caught the ball well. One play that stands out is when he ran the button hook, caught the ball at the 3 yard line and pivoted on a dime to his right for the touchdown. That's footwork you don't see for many receivers.
I am a Lions fan so all I could do was be impressed with the Bears (and be somewhat happy Robbie Gould had 11 points for my fantasy team). I think someone said the Lions still had the "residue" of Matt Millen on them, and it showed. There were numerous times when Jon Kitna and his receivers weren't on the same page, there was almost no running game and the defense was terrible. The Lions are a poorly-coached football team, which hurts to say cause I like Rod Marinelli. However, I would have preferred as a d-coordinator. The team was in full-meltdown mode with Roy Williams reverting to the headcase Roy Williams. Then he says after the game that he thinks the Lions are better than they are. Sorry Roy, but this team needs a complete overhaul. I wish they could have brought in Bill Parcells to do with this team what he's currently doing with Miami.
I think it will be a race between the Vikings and Bears for the NFC north title. I can't see Green Bay doing any better than 8-8 right now and I think Minnesota will use the Saints win as a springboard. I wouldn't count the Vikings-Bears game as a sure win, but it should be a good one.
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