DaBears Victory & History VS Panthers

The blog format for this game, Panthers VS Bears, will be altered a bit because I was not able to blog it while watching the game, up close, & no PC to type on.  This was a must win game for the Bears and it was from the perspectives of the fans and local sports writers, including this blogger, DeLarren Sr. *grin*. 

Walking to the stadium of Soldiers Field, I was struck by all of past player names on the Jerseys instead of the newer players.  When asked, the majority of the answers were that the fan base was not sold on the newer roster.  Now, Urlacher has been with the team for some time so his Jersey is well represented.  Jay Cutlers jersey, well you would find them on a lot of small children...wonder why???

Remember, a must win game.  Cam Newton, a rookie Quarterback, was sure to obtain the growl of the Chicago Bears defense.  A must win game...the defense didn't display all of the characteristics of that statement with their first series or the game as a whole.  Carolina moved the ball as if IT was the historic franchise.  With a mix of run and pass plays, the Bears were fortunate to hold the Panthers to a field goal.  Chicago is down 3 to 0.

The Bears, after the change of possession via a Panthers field goal, provided one of their own (FG).  Chicago moved the ball on THE GROUND via Matt Forte's 46 yard scramble.  Marion Barber also provided some nice running to secure that field goal and first score of the game for Chicago.  After the possession of the ball changed hands to Carolina, they turned the ball over to DaBEARS defense with an interception Touchdown by D.J. Moore.  Bear Down!!!  The Bears move ahead with the TD and the score is 3 to 10!

The stadium is charged and looking for more pushback from Chicago's defensive line.  Cam Newton throws a 50+ yard pass to Steve Smith and the charged crowd is just stunned…WOW?!!  Well, stunned just for a second, because WE HAVE to cheer the defense on to not give up any points at all with the Panthers positioned, in the red zone, at the 2 yard line.  Bear Down!

The 1st quarter ends with the Bears holding the line.  We're seated slightly west of the south goal of the stadium and witnessed the young rookie running the ball into the end zone for the start of the second quarter.  Bear Down?  Not yet…Carolina ties the game with the score of 10 to 10.

OK..Devin Hester hesitates after the kickoff to see if he will run the ball out or not (I took a photo of it), and when he did, it looked as if he was in trouble, but this was only the beginning of his historic day.  He ran close to 70 yards on the kickoff return to put the Bears in good position for another score.  With another RUNNING PLAY, Matt Forte rushed for a 17 yard touchdown.  Bears are up 10 to 17! 

The Panthers, with their next possession, go 3 and out and sets us up for NFL history.  Carolina punts the ball right to Hester and he just jukes, fakes, and speed burst all the way to the end zone.  It was so loud an energetic inside of the stadium; I didn't realize he received a celebration penalty.  Bears are now up 10-24! 

The Heisman trophy winner, and current rookie quarterback, Cam Newton...he just willed the next drive for the Panthers.  Throwing the ball accurately and running hard with his 6' 5" frame, he scored the next touchdown for his team.  Carolina follows up with a field goal after the Bears stall on offense.  The defense for the DaBears must have looked at the scoreboard early in the 2nd quarter; feeling good about the game at hand.  Chicago is still leading the game with the score of 20 to 24. 

Neither team scored in the 3rd quarter, although the Panthers had an opportunity to kick a field goal which was blocked by DaBears Julius Peppers.  That play brought the stadium to a roar and presented some Bear Down energy for the offense plus the fans.  Score is still 20-24 with Chicago holding onto the lead.  

Just 5 seconds into the fourth quarter, Carolina kicked a field goal to come within 1 point of DaBears lead.  Carolina had another chance to go ahead of Chicago by attempting a 52 yard field goal...and it was JUST short.  Chicago did a terrific job in the 4th quarter by running down the clock, scoring a FG by Robbie Gould, and adding a rushing TD by Marion Barber to put this game away.  

The rookie QB from Carolina was playing like the game was far from over.  He threw a touchdown pass to the Ex-Bear Greg Olson with 4 seconds to go in the game.  Final score was Carolina 29 and the Bears 34. 

Final notes...the Chicago Bears made their first 4th down conversion of the year.  Matt Forte joins 2 other Bears to go over 200 yards in a game.  Devin Hester is the all-time Punt Returner with 11 Touchdowns.  Cam Newton had 374 yards in the air and 1 TD to Jay Cutlers (finally writing his name) 105 yards and no TD.  The running game WORKS CHICAGO!!!  Go Bears!  The next game is on Monday Night VS the undefeated Detroit Lions.

Bear Down!!!!