|
|
Dan Peters
Sports Editor
Suburban
Journals of Chicago
|
©
Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Mark Rotor
Titans escape Late Bears Rally,
stay unbeaten
by Dan Peters
The Bears opened Sunday’s game against the undefeated Titans with an
impressive touchdown drive, but it was all downhill from there for the
NFC North leaders. The opening drive by the Bears was the first time
all season the stingy Titan’s defense allowed an opening drive
touchdown…. Good Rex.
Orton had hoped to play after being taken from the field on a cart in
the closing minute of the first half last week. Instead, Grossman
orchestrated a 75-yard touchdown drive on the Bears’ first possession
that ended with a 5-yard pass to Forte.
The good vibe disappeared on the next possession, when Grossman tried
to force one to Marty Booker along the left sideline. Cortland Finnegan
tipped it, Chris Hope picked it off and Tennessee took over at the
Chicago 25 Poor field position key factor in Bears loss.
Grossman was not alone in the Bears lack of success on offense. You
could blame poor field position as the key.
©
Suburban Journals of Chicago photos by Mark Rotor
“We
couldn’t really get into a rhythm backed up,” Grossman said. “We needed
to get a few first downs and flip field position. First downs kind of
breed more first downs. You get on a roll and get
to the rest of your plays. That was the big deal right there for the
most part.”.. Bad Rex
The good news for Bears fans, no “Train Rex” today. The
Bears offense went into hibernation after the strong opening
drive, managing just 45 yards and one first down on 22 plays
on its next seven drives. Six possessions failed to produce
a first down in drives that started at the Chicago 14, 2, 2, 9,
2, 16 and 17.
©
Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Mark Rotor
“The field position game hurt us the entire time,” said coach Lovie
Smith. “We played down close to our end zone most of the time.
Eventually, if you don’t get field position, it’ll end up leading to
points for the opponent, and that’s what happened today.”
“It’s only frustrating when you don’t do something about it,” Turner
said. “When you’re backed up, that’s part of football. It’s a field
position game. When you get backed up like that, you have to get a
couple first downs to get out of there, and we weren’t able to do that.”
©
Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Mark Rotor
Grossman struggled with accuracy at times, completing 20 of 37 passes
for 173 yards with 1 TD, 1 interception and a 64.4 passer rating while
being sacked twice. Forte rushed for 72 yards on 20 carries and had a
team-high seven receptions for 54 yards.
©
Suburban Journals of Chicago photo by Mark Rotor
Kerry Collins on the other hand, had one of his best games as a
Titan throwing for a season-high 289 yards and two touchdowns
in a 21-14 win Sunday over the Chicago Bears.
“It’s nice to win a ballgame and not play well,” coach Jeff Fisher
said, particularly as they struggled when they weren’t throwing the
ball. Even though they kept losing yards, the Tennessee Titans
refused to lose this game. Now, they’re 9-0 despite one of the worst
rushing performances in franchise history: just 20 yards on the ground.
The 20 yards rushing were just one above their franchise low and they
had minus-5 in the first half. It was a stunning performance for
a team that was third in the
league entering the game.
Even so, the Titans set a club record with their 12th straight
regular-season win thanks to Collins and a defense that shut down Rex
Grossman and the Bears.
Collins completed 12 straight passes at one point and was 30-of-41
without an interception. Brandon Jones caught eight passes for 82
yards, and Bo Scaife had 10 for 78 with a touchdown.
That was enough to make up for a miserable performance by the running
backs. White managed 14 yards on 10 attempts, although he had a
touchdown in the fourth quarter. And Johnson carried 14 times for 8
yards.
“Did you look and see how many guys they put in the box?” Johnson said.
“Eight, sometimes nine. They really wanted us to beat them throwing the
ball.”
“Everybody right now is filling their role,” said Collins, who
took over for Vince Young after the first game. “For me, you play long
enough you’re going to be on good teams. You’re going to be on bad
teams. At this point in my career to be playing on a good football team
that has a chance to go out and win every Sunday is exciting for me.”
Is this the best team he’s played on?
“We’re getting there,” said Collins, who played in a Super Bowl with
the New York Giants. “We’re getting there.”
Some bright spots from the Bears offense…not many, but Forte did muster
a decent game against the tough Titan’s defense.
Rookie Matt Forte ran for 72 yards after setting a season-high with 126
against Detroit, and the offense managed 243 yards in all.
The Titans took a 14-7 lead early in the third quarter when
Collins connected with former Bear Justin Gage for a 12-yard
touchdown—the first by a Tennessee wide receiver since the second game.
A 2-yard run by White early in the fourth period made it 21-7, but the
Bears refused to go quietly. Grossman fell into the end zone from
the 1 to make it a seven-point game with 4:55 left after a 29-yard pass
to Devin Hester. And they had a chance to tie it after a punt, taking
over at the Tennessee 41. But the Titans held firm again, even though
outsiders keep insist each week they’ll lose.
“Maybe they have some kind of angel around them or something.
I don’t know,” Bears receiver Rashied Davis said.
Ahmard Hall fumbles—Tennessee’s first turnover in 16 quarters - on
fourth-and-inches at the goal line.
Another reason the Bears lost today… not
capitalizing on turnovers.
Defense has a good game…
The Bears completely shut down the NFL’s third-ranked rushing attack,
limiting the Titans to 27 yards on 20 carries with a long run of seven
yards. They held LenDale White to just 14 yards on 10 attempts and
rookie sensation Chris Johnson to eight yards on 14 carries
Game Notes:
Titans star linebacker Keith Bulluck appeared in his 106th straight
game after cracking cartilage in his ribs against Green Bay, two-time
Pro Bowl defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch sat out with a groin strain. …
The Titans also got a scare in the third quarter when fullback Hall
suffered a mild concussion after being hit by Lance Briggs. … Tennessee
has rushed for 19 yards twice in a game, most recently when the Houston
Oilers did it against San Diego on Dec. 12, 1965. … The 12 straight
regular-season wins eclipses the previous mark set by Houston in 1993.
… The minus-5 yards rushing were the fewest allowed by the Bears in a
half since they held New England to minus-9 on Sept. 21, 1997.
© Oak Park Journal photo
Past Sports News
Local
Sports and
Teams
|
o0
|
