Jan. 04--Too hot
Matt Forte
A sign behind the Bears bench hung where Forte couldn't help but notice. "THANKS FOR THE SMILES FORTE, #22," it read. The veteran running back's reaction? Right back atcha. "It puts a smile on my face that I can actually make people smile by running the football," he said. Everyone -- Forte, teammates, coaches, fans -- acknowledged the possibility that Sunday was Forte's last game as a Bear. If it was, he went out in style, posting 110 yards from scrimmage and a 23-yard touchdown catch.
Too cold
Charles Leno
Jay Cutler hadn't had a multi-interception game all season before tossing three picks Sunday. The first was his fault, a risky throw into the end zone that was batted to safety James Ihedigbo on the Bears' opening drive. But Cutler's final two interceptions came after Leno was beaten by Ziggy Ansah, with the defensive end hitting Cutler as he threw each time. After a solid first season as a starter, Sunday's effort was far from Leno's best.
Just right
Marc Mariani
The Bears receiving corps was badly depleted, once again missing Eddie Royal (illness), Alshon Jeffery (injured reserve) and Marquess Wilson (IR). But Mariani stepped up, recording a career-best six catches for 80 yards. And when kick returner Deonte Thompson was banged up with a shoulder injury, Mariani also returned a kickoff 47 yards in the fourth quarter to spark a field-goal drive. Mariani's savvy and toughness resonated for much of the season.
-- Dan Wiederer
