GRADING THE BEARS
QUARTERBACK
AWith a makeshift lineup, Jay Cutler ( 26- of- 45, 252 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 88.4) overcame an early mishap to lead two TD drives in the final 7: 51— capped by scoring passes to Marquess Wilson and Matt Forte— that made the difference.
RUNNING BACKS
BMatt Forte ( 18 carries, 71 yards) had to grind it out again with a patchwork offensive line that included rookie center Hroniss Grasu making his first NFL start. Forte’s versatility came in handy when he caught the game- winning TD pass with 18 seconds to play.
RECEIVERS
BWith Alshon Jeffery ( hamstring) and Eddie Royal ( ankle) out, Wilson ( 6- 85, TD, plus a 24- yard PI on the final drive) stepped up in the clutch. Cameron Meredith ( 4- 32) and Joshua Bellamy ( 6- 31) played key roles.
OFFENSIVE LINE
BGrasu was blown up for a sack that led to a fumble and Chiefs TD but held his own after that to typify a yeoman’s effort by the line. Cutler was sacked only one other time and the line committed only two penalties. That’s improvement.
DEFENSIVE LINE
C+Jeremiah Ratliff had four tackles and a QB hurry in his first game back, but the defensive line didn’t make the impact it did last week against the Raiders.
LINEBACKERS
B+Pernell McPhee, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston each had sacks of Alex Smith. LaRoy Reynolds had a TFL in place of injured Shea McClellin. The Chiefs’ long rush was 15 yards.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
BTracy Porter was burned on De’Anthony Thomas’ 19- yard TD reception, but came back with a huge third- down pass- defense that set up the winning drive. Alex Smith’s long pass play was 26 yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS
BMcPhee blocked a 27- yard FG attempt on the Chiefs’ first drive of the second half. Robbie Gould kicked FGs of 44 and 30. Kick returns on both sides were uneventful.
COACHING
AJohn Fox worked the clock like a maestro after the Bears scored with 3: 05 left to give Cutler just enough time for the winning drive. Bears did not wilt after an early mishap and were without six starters.