Welp, what can I say? This was NOT what I expected, I mean, folks showed UP tonight. It’s late, so let’s give these game balls out!
Case Keenum - just like we all thought, right? Of COURSE we all thought QB3 would to go for 3 touchdowns, complete 75% of his passes and no turnovers? Just a heck of a game by him, and all credit due for making some really tough passes in the face of pressure. A few passes that were a little bit behind bag the dude is 38 years old and was just pulled out of a comfortable gig enjoying watching the game and forced to play! Absolutely clutch performance!
**I was hoping to see Bagent have this type of performance so we could win and he could make himself some good money in free agency in the offseason, but now, does he STAY as QB2 even when he’s clear from the protocol? You HAVE to start Keenum again, right?**
Ben Johnson - I’m guessing most people thought that with QB3, the game plan would lean a lot more on the run game, WRONG! HC1 was not afraid to let his veteran air that bitch out! But not too crazy, just made the right calls to keep guys open, keep the ball moving and keep possession. Almost 37 minutes with the pigskin in a game where on paper, and in the first half at least, the other team had the better running back and better offensive line. Waited until it was time to burn more clock in the 2nd half and then the steady dose of Swift and Monangai was the Rx.
Kalif Raymond - 6 for 90 and continues to be the best offseason pick for the beloved. Just finds ways to not only get open, but makes tough catches and holds on to the ball while taking a hit.
Luther Burden III - Maybe his best game as a Bear? 7 catches on 11 targets, and an absolute “weight room!” YAC TD grab to start it off.
The entire Defense - this is really a 2nd half award, but boy did they get their shit together, especially the front 4, who were getting just blown off the ball in the 1st half, then got it together and held Barkley to 9 yards rushing in the second half. But I will say the standouts were Thiememan, another solid game with a pick, Johnson, who I think that might have been his best game in quite a while, and Booker, a guy who’s always around the edges as having the potential to be something special and tonight came through with a forced fumble and was a disruptor all night. Also props to Muhammad, the kid continues to play beyond being a rookie.
It’s late, it’s bedtime, and we go to sleep tonight as a 2-1 team with a favorable schedule the next couple of games. Rest well, gentlemen. Bear Down!