A Bears Win Vs Tampa Bay is Key to 2012 Playoffs

Happy Tuesday!  The London game played this past Sunday really played a significance with the NFL.  Gathering more fans and possibly, in the future, having a franchise within that part of the world.  As to how it related to the Chicago Bears, a wildcard positioning for the playoffs.  Chicago is really at the same pace as last year.  The only difference this year, and it is a big one, is that the Bears have been defeated by the Packers and the Lions whom are in their division. 

1st Quarter
Devin Hester has been a major factor on Special Teams the past couple of weeks for "Da Bears".  With the London crowd cheering him on, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers start the game by kicking the football out of bounds (penalty) and preventing a positive play for the Chicago Bears.  The Bucs were not stopping there, with Chicago's first offensive possession, they yielded negative yardage.  Two run plays and 1 passing play…3 and out; punting the ball.

Offensively, the Bucs were moving the ball but couldn't convert that movement into points.  Now you can hear the crowd getting charged up again for Devin is back to return a punt.  He gained only 4 yards but we are back on offense to score points.  Scoring Points? Matt Forte provided a 32 yard scamper for a Touchdown.  During this drive alone, he was the key to the Bears offense.  I'm surprised that this is his only 2nd rushing TD for the year.

Chicago is bringing the "Bear Down" on defense by applying so much pressure on the Bucs offensive line & quarterback.  Within this quarter alone, there are 3 Tampa Bay Bucs succumbing to injury.  Tampa Bay had a drive to where the receiver caught the ball for an apparent touchdown, but the rookie Chris Conte has taken the ball away for a Bucs turnover on the Bears 2 yard line.  The Bears turn it right back over to the Bucs with a Safety (2pts).

Bears 7    Bucs 2

2nd Quarter
This quarter has not garnered a lot of offensive movement for either side of the ball so far.  Chicago has not let relinquished their defensive pressure on the Bucs QB and our QB, Jay Cutler,  has no flow to his passing.  As I was blogging to that fact, Jay Cutler has just thrown a TD pass to Roy Williams.  Marion Barber contributed greatly on this drive by running the ball well, especially on a key 3rd and 1yrd to go situation.  Matt Forte has 80+ yards already for the game on the ground.

The Bucs, offensively, cannot figure out the "Da Bears" defensive schemes.  Their Ball Movement and Point Production has been nonexistent.  However, with their final offensive drive, they accumulate additional yardage and a field goal.

Bears 14    Bucs 5

3rd Quarter
By not trying to be repetitive, Tampa Bay starts off on offense for the second half, and again, Da Bears are just in a "Bear Down" mood…3 and out for Tampa.  With Roy Williams playing well in the first half, Johnny Knox has stepped up his game as well.  Johnny is running his routes perfectly with yardage after the catch.  The Bears, attempting to run the ball just as they had in the first half, are not successful and Jay Cutler ends up on his back...SACK. 

To my surprise, and  I am sure I speak for a lot of Bears fans, Roy Williams keeps this drive alive after the sack on Jay Cutler with a first down catch.  Getting the running game back on track with this current drive, Marion Barber runs the ball in for a Touchdown.

Lance Briggs finally makes a splash on defense by picking off a pass for an interception and almost running it back for TD.  An illegal block in the back would have nullified the TD against the Bears.  No movement for the Bears after the turnover.  This is mirrored by the Bucs leading to a sack this quarter by the Bears.  BEAR DOWN!

Bears 21   Bucs 5

4th Quarter
The Pressure...Chicago is trying to regain their reputation as a stanch defensive team.  Urlacher comes up with a interception and he almost had one in the first quarter as well.  Chicago has stopped the Bucs while they were in the Red Zone once again.  However, the call on the field was that Urlacher fumbled the ball while being tackled after the interception. 

A flag was on the field before the interception and the result of that flag moved the Bucs out of the Red Zone.  BUT WAIT!!!  The Bears get the ball back with their red flag challenge of the call of a fumble on the field.  WE WON A CHALLENGE?!!

Chicago felling confident of the way the game has gone so far, has relaxed and become nonchalant with their play.  Jay Cutler carelessly lobs a ball resulting in an interception.  This interception results in a touchdown for Tampa Bay…moving the ball better than they have all game.

Chicago is back on offense but come up short; even being in a 3rd and 1yrd to go situation.  The offense goes back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to where they score another touchdown.  When that touchdown took place, the tweets going by my screen where blaming the Bear who wanted to be traded, Chris Harris, for being out of position to stop this play (Touchdown).

Now with the game on the line, the Bears are now playing like they had been the first 3 quarters.  Roy Williams is on his game to where he bobbles a ball for a catch and a first down for the Bears.  Fantastic Play!! Matt Forte is just the MVP for this Bears team, if not for the league.  He scrambles to the 4 yard line on this drive, setting up a possible score.  A sack on Cutler stops the Bears TD chances, but the Bucs have given the Bears life with a personal foul penalty.

The running game of the Bears is going nowhere.  Bad play calling???  Or fantastic defense for the Bucs.  Chicago has to settle with a field goal.  With 1:55 remaining, the Bears have to defend…and DJ Moore saves the game with an interception.  The bears went from looking dominant to just lucky. 

Bears 24    Bucs 18

A bye-week for the Bears should help most of the injured to get back on the field for their next contest.  A Monday Night Football Game against Michael Vick's Philadelphia Eagles.