Injury isn’t the complete story
Bears’ ‘ D’ brought on victory just as much as Charles’ hurt knee
KANSAS CITY, Mo.— Arrowhead Stadium was silent and somber. Some fans might even have headed for the exits.
Chiefs star running back Jamaal Charles was down on the Bears’ 9- yard line, clutching his right knee in obvious pain. Replays showed the knee awkwardly buckled on a cut in the backfield.
‘‘ I sat there, took a knee and said a prayer, just praying for the best,’’ Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin said.
‘‘ Offensively, we went into a shell there and just didn’t get anything done,’’ quarterback Alex Smith added.
It was a deflating moment early in the third quarter that helped jump- start the Bears’ dramatic 18- 17 victory. Losing Charles to a possible torn anterior cruciate ligament is big news in Kansas City and the NFL, but it’s not the full story from Sunday’s game.
‘‘ He has such an impact on that team,’’ Bears veteran defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff said. ‘‘ I’m pretty sure he makes the offensive line’s job real easy. That could have been [ the turning point]. But I’m not in their locker room. I don’t know what’s going on on their team. All I know is this: The guys I’m rolling with were fighting. That’s all that matters to me.’’
The underlying story is that the Bears’ defense continues to play well, regardless of the opponent. It’s not as if the Chiefs kept the scoreboard operators busy in the first half. Charles was a factor with 10 carries for 58 yards and a 26- yard reception. But the offense only was responsible for 10 points in the first two quarters.
The Bears’ defense wasn’t at full strength, either. Linebacker Shea McClellin, the signal- caller, was lost to a knee injury on the same drive on which Charles was injured, leaving the Bears to turn to LaRoy Reynolds, signed less than two weeks ago. Secondyear linebacker Christian Jones handled the calls for the first time. The Bears already were playing two rookies at safety with Antrel Rolle out with an ankle injury.
‘‘ That’s what makes [ the win] a little bit more gratifying,’’ coach John Fox said.
Three plays after Charles was injured, Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee blocked Cairo Santos’ 27- yard field goal attempt — the biggest of several big plays by Bears defenders. McPhee, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young all sacked Smith, who was 16- for30 for 181 yards. Cornerback Tracy Porter broke up a pass to Maclin in the fourth quarter on third- and-six, which gave Bears quarterback Jay Cutler a chance for heroics in the final two minutes.
‘‘ I can’t credit the defense enough for the job they did today,’’ right tackle Kyle Long said. ‘‘ So many weapons out there on the field for Kansas City.’’
The common refrain from defenders is that the bond is building. Their chemistry in a new scheme with new players has improved, meaning their play has improved, even if the takeaways aren’t there yet.
‘‘ We’re in a good spot right now,’’ Jones said. ‘‘ It’s the right attitude all around.’’
The season is only five games old, but the defense is proving to be nothing like the porous bunch from the last two seasons. Another example? They forced three three-and-outs in the fourth quarter.
‘‘ We out- competed them at the end,’’ McPhee said. ‘‘ Don’t ever think the game is over with.’’