Mike DiNovo-US PRESSWIRE
So what started out as a heart attack gradually subdued into an all out joyful day as the Chicago Bears handily defeated the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday. Literally, when watching the opening minutes of the first quarter, I could see my entire football season passing before my eyes. I was almost in a state of shock: Jay Cutler throwing picks. The offensive line playing like…well…the offensive line usually does. Brandon Marshall not hauling in 80 yard bombs. My life was over for an entire ten minutes last Sunday.
Luckily, the Bears bounced back in a HUGE way and put the entire NFC on notice that there is a new sheriff in town. Now, I am going to hold off judgment of the team until Thursday when they take on the Green Bay Packers. That will let us know if the Bears are for real. Until then, here are the Silver Fox’s 3-star players of the game:
One Star: Brandon Marshall
This guy brought the pain on Sunday. The Bears were hoping Marshall would be the play maker they so desperately sought and he definitely was. It isn’t every day fans of the Bears get to see 100 yard games out of a wide receiver but I have a good feeling this will become a more recurring theme throughout the season. Even if he draws double coverage going forward, he is still a beast who can make plays or open up the field for the myriad of play makers the Bears currently possess.
Two Stars: Jay Cutler
Talk about a rough start to the day. Cutler must not have had his morning coffee on Sunday because he almost sandbagged this entire season with one pass. Luckily, Mike Tice put the ball in the capable hands of Matt Forte for a few plays and then opened up the passing game in which Cutler thrived. The QB has a shotgun attached to his right shoulder as he was blasting passes past defenders and threading the needle with some ballsy throws. I am looking forward to 300+ yards per game every Sunday.
Three Stars: Tim Jennings
For a guy that lost his starting job last season, Jennings stepped up in a big way on Sunday. He played some man-up defense and recorded two interceptions on the day while tipping another into the capable hands of Chris Conte. The one interception where Jennings caught the ball over his shoulder while diving is a catch most receivers in the NFL wouldn’t be able to make. Hats off to you, Jennings. You are definitely driving the respect bus.
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