Streaking/Slumping for Chicago Bears versus Arizona Cardinals - ESPN Chicago

Originally Published: November 8, 2009

Streaking/Slumping for Nov. 8

Ben Finfer looks at who was streaking and slumping in Sunday's Bears-Cardinals game

Comment Email Print Share

By Ben Finfer
Archive

Bears versus Cardinals edition

		Bears An embarrassing performance in a must-win situation sort of makes you wonder what they will look like when the games don't matter anymore. We'll find out Thursday night in San Francisco.
		Tommie Harris The overpaid and ineffective defensive tackle was ejected four plays into Sunday's game. He will be dominating for the Cincinnati Bengals by this time next season.
		Greg Olsen Three touchdown catches gives him a career-high of six for the season. Looks like Jay Cutler can continue using the Olsens' guest bedroom.
		Lovie Smith For the second time in three weeks his defense was torched, his players were unprepared, and his team was humiliated. For the 88th time in 88 games coached, his press conference was boring.
		Rushing Defense Coming into Week 9, the Cardinals had averaged 64.9 yards rushing per game. This week they ran for 182. The Bears next four opponents feature Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook, Adrian Peterson and Steven Jackson. Fantasy owners be warned.
		Wide Receivers This is possibly the only unit that has exceeded expectations in 2009. Devin Hester and Earl Bennett combined for 13 catches and 187 yards all without the advantage of being defended by the Bears' secondary.
		Penalties Including Harris' punch and Olin Kreutz's holding penalty that wiped out a 35-yard pass to Matt Forte, the Bears had nine penalties for 89 yards. That's an average of 9.9 yards per penalty. Or in other words, 6.4 yards more than Forte's average yard per carry in 2009.
		Health Charles Tillman and Al Afalava both left the game in the second quarter with shoulder injuries. Garrett Wolfe left with a back injury, which left offensive coordinator Ron Turner with no undersized and over-matched running backs to use in the red zone.
		Kurt Warner The two-time MVP threw five touchdown passes one week after throwing five interceptions. That should get Brenda off his back for a week.
		November Weather Sixty-five degrees and sunny on Nov. 8? Maybe global warming will destroy the Earth before the Bears have to play Brett Favre and the Vikings Nov. 29.