Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) celebrates an interception-turned-touchdown in the third quarter at EverBank Field Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012, in Jacksonville, FL. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
The last time the Bears played in a game where the weather was 89 degrees or higher was in 2000, when they got trampled by the Bucs, 41-0.
This time around the Bears were the team doing the trampling.
Cornerback Charles Tillman scored his seventh interception return touchdown of his career. He took an interception 36-yards into the end-zone in the third quarter to give the Bears the 13-3 lead.
With the score 27-3, the Bears intercepted Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert for the second time. LB Lance Briggs reeled in a pick and took it to the house to make the game 34-3 in favor of Chicago.
Tillman and Briggs become the first set of teammates to return interceptions for touchdowns in back-to-back games. Both interception returns on Sunday were 36-yard returns.
Wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery each reeled in touchdown receptions in the second half as the Bears started to put it on the Jaguars.
The Bears defense was stout all day long as they allowed only 189 total yards to the Jaguars. They allowed the Jaguars to run only four plays in the entire third quarter.
Cutler bounced back after tossing an ugly interception on the opening drive on a pass intended for Brandon Marshall.
The Bears racked up 214 yards on the ground. Matt Forte was impressive all day as he went over 100 yards for the first time since November 7, 2011. Michael Bush made some great plays in both the passing and running game as he combined for 50 yards. Third-string back Armando Allen scored his first career rushing touchdown with 1:49 left in the game on a 46-yard scamper.
The Bears only got three points in the first half as they went into the half tied at three. They really got it going in the second half as they scored 38 points, 14 of those points coming from the defense. Those 38 points were the most in a second half since 1950.
The Bears get a week off before they clash with the Lions on Monday Night Football on Oct. 22.
At 4-1, the 2012 Bears look like the real deal in all three phases.
The defense has proven through five weeks that it can carry this team and the offense has proven that it can control the game and put up points when it needs to.
We’re still waiting for Devin Hester to break one off for a score. I’m pretty sure that’s bound to happen very soon maybe in Week Seven against Detroit since their special teams is very weak.
Important Stats:
QB Jay Cutler: 23 of 39, 292 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. A QB Rating of 88.8.
RB Matt Forte: 22 rushes, 107 yards, 4.9 ypc.
DE Corey Wootton: Two sacks, one forced fumble.
Three stars of the game:
Lance Briggs: He racked up 1.0 sack and added his fifth career interception return in the fourth quarter. He looks to be taking over the middle of the field with ease. With Brian Urlacher playing more of a conservative role on defense this season Briggs has really stepped up . That’s great to see.
Brandon Marshall: Brandon Marshall put together his best game as a Bear as he reeled in 12 balls for 144 yards and a 24-yard touchdown pass. Marshall ran a bad route early in the first quarter that cost the Bears as Jay Cutler threw an interception to Jaguars corner Derek Cox because of it. Marshall bounced back and really shined constantly beating the Jaguars corners. Marshall reeled in over 100 yards, while RB Matt Forte ran for over 100 yards becoming the first Bears teammates to do so since WR Muhsin Muhammad and RB Thomas Jones did it in 2006.
Devin Hester: He sparked the Bears with a big 39-yard reception in the fourth quarter. He had some opportunities in the return game, but just couldn’t break one off. He has shown all season long that he is a play-maker on offense. He looks like he has improved his pass catching abilities showing he can hang on to tough passes.
Injury Report:
The Bears came out of this game rather healthy with only rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery a little banged up. He reportedly has a bruised right hand that he suffered on a touchdown reception in the second half. He believes its not that serious and hopes to be ready for the Week Seven Monday Night Football meeting with the Lions.
Around the NFC North:
Minnesota improved to 4-1 as they crushed the Titans 30-7 as WR Percy Harvin went over 100 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns. They travel to Washington next Sunday.
Green Bay was up 21-3 at the half, but scored only six points in the second half as the Colts scored 27 to drop the Packers to 2-3 on the season. They travel to Houston next Sunday night.
The 1-3 Detroit Lions had a bye week. They travel to Philly next Sunday.
Standings:
Chicago Bears: 4-1
Minnesota Vikings: 4-1
Green Bay Packers: 2-3
Detroit Lions: 1-3
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
