The Chicago Bears put together a decent performance on Saturday night as they traveled to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. The Bears defense forced two turnovers and only allowed 11 total points (all in the second quarter) to the Colts who was one of the best offensive teams in the league last season. Andrew Luck completed just 5-9 passes with 71 yards and ran for a touchdown.
The Bears second preseason game was not all positive. They committed too many silly penalties. Overall, they committed seven penalties for 63 yards and the most costly one negated a Jay Cutler rushing touchdown. Cutler and the first team were only able to come away with three field goals and have yet to find the end zone in the first two preseason games. The Bears also finished the first half going 0-5 on third down chances. They will need to improve their third down conversions and find a way to get into the end zone once the regular season starts if they want to have a chance at staying in games.
Bears who played well:
Jay Cutler
Cutler played the entire first half and finished the game completing 8 of 9 passes for 69 yards. When he was in the game the team only scored a total of 9 points. Cutler was still playing without two of his playmaking receivers in Alshon Jeffery and rookie Kevin White. Even Marquess Wilson left the game with a hamstring injury after only catching two passes for 18 yards. Cutler pumped up the entire team by showing off his toughness on a play that was called back for a penalty. He lowered his shoulder and on his way to the end zone, collided with Colts cornerback Greg Toler. Cutler lost his helmet while Toler ended up leaving the game with a strained neck. Cutler said his football instincts took over and that he was just trying to get into the end zone.
Jeremy Langford
Longford was drafted by the Bears in the fourth round of this past years NFL Draft for his speed. He definitely showcased this against the Colts as he finished with nine carries for 80 yards and a rushing touchdown. His longest run of the night was for 46 yards where he showed off his speed and cutting ability. Langford is a completely different style of running back compared to any of the other running backs on the lineup. It’s a good sign to see him doing well. The backup running back spot will come down to either Langford or Jacquizz Rodgers.
Pernell McPhee
Highly touted free agent acquisition McPhee was silent in his first preseason game with the Bear last week. But, this week against the Colts he showed why new general manager Ryan Pace made signing him a priority. McPhee finished the game with three tackles and a sack, but was also consistently getting pressure on the Colts when he was in the game. McPhee responded with a positive showing after being criticized for not being active in his first preseason game.
Sam Acho
Acho continues to be the most impressive player on Bears defense so far this preseason. He had a sack and interception in their first preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Acho followed that performance up with another sack and a forced fumble against the Colts. Acho has been the team’s playmaker on defense so far this preseason and is putting pressure on Jared Allen as the starting outside linebacker. It will be hard for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio not to put Acho in the starting lineup soon if he continues to play at his high of a level.
