Oct. 19--Too hot
Alshon Jeffery
The Bears' No. 1 receiver opened up their passing attack, as expected, in his return from a four-game absence. He had eight catches for 147 yards and a touchdown, showing no effects of the hamstring injury that sidelined him for the last month. It was the third-highest single-game yardage total of his four-year career. "He makes you feel comfortable," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "You can throw the ball, one-on-one, and you know more times than not good things are going to happen."
Too cold
Sherrick McManis
In fairness, Sunday's loss wasn't a banner day for any of the Bears cornerbacks. But the Lions repeatedly targeted McManis, a veteran slot corner, throughout the game. Lance Moore opened the scoring by beating McManis to the post for a 20-yard touchdown. Moore stemmed his route outside, then broke inside behind McManis and was open down the middle. McManis' missed tackle on a checkdown to running back Theo Riddick helped set up the Lions' go-ahead touchdown late in regulation.
Just right
Jay Cutler
Cutler's final numbers look OK. He was 26 of 41 passing for 353 yards, a touchdown, an interception and an 88.8 passer rating. But the Bears scored only three touchdowns on eight trips inside the red zone, and he acknowledged those failures start with him. Cornerback Rashean Mathis intercepted Cutler's poorly thrown fade in the end zone on the opening possession of the second half. On the up side, Cutler delayed the Bears' demise by moving them 69 yards in 17 seconds just before the fourth quarter expired.
