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Week 6 Game Recap: Chicago Bears 14, Atlanta Falcons 21
Chicago Bears
| QB Jay Cutler, Pass: 27 - 43 - 300 - 2 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 3 - 34 - 0 |
Cutler's final numbers will look good in the box score however he had a very up and down performance this week. Quite honestly he could have had a huge game and led his team to a somewhat easy win, but instead he turned the ball over in the red zone and had two other drives stall inside the 10. Cutler got off to a fast start completing his first six passes before throwing a red zone INT. (His third red zone INT of the season) Cutler was shown multiple blitz packages early as well, however he was able to stand in the pocket on a play fake and took a hit to deliver a nice down field throw to Earl Bennett. Cutler showed a very nice touch on a TD pass to Johnny Knox early in the 2nd quarter but then he overthrew TE Greg Olsen for his 2nd INT. Other highlights included Cutler hanging in the pocket and taking a big hit to deliver a circus pass to Desmond Clark inside the 1 yd line. On the games final drive he scrambled for 30 yards, making tacklers miss along the way with some shifty moves. However in the end he was not able to deliver the tying TD toss and the Bears flamed out in the red zone in the final minute. Uneven.
| RB Matt Forte, Rush: 15 - 23 - 0, Rec: 5 - 37 - 0 (5 targets) |
While Forte is showing more patience with his running this season and making good decision at the line, he is having trouble finding the space to make much happen. In week 6 he was completely shut down by a very stout Falcons run defense. Forte was limited to just 23 yards on the ground. In one key series in the 3rd quarter he fumbled on consecutive plays at the goal line, the 2nd of which he lost to the Falcons. He did have a little more success through the air catching 5 passes for 37 yards. A disappointing game for the 2nd year RB.
| RB Garrett Wolfe, Rush: 3 - 15 - 0 |
The speedster used his speed for a nice 1st down run in the 3rd quarter to help loosen up the stout front seven of the Falcons since they were keying on Forte up the middle so much. Wolfe ended up carrying the ball three times on the night gaining 15 yards. It remains to be seen if he is Forte's handcuff once Adrian Peterson returns from injury.
| WR Devin Hester, Rush: 2 - 11 - 0, Rec: 6 - 83 - 0 (10 targets) |
Hester was Chicago's most dynamic looking and most called upon player in week 6 vs Atlanta. His contribution were all over the field, from the passing game (10 targets for 6/83), to the running game (2/11), to lining up in the wildcat formation, to special teams where his returns set the Bears up with good field position multiple times. Hester was targeted in the red zone but was overthrown by Cutler in the 2nd quarter. The Bears continue to utilize Hester as much as they can and he continues to make plays. Is he a rising WR star in the NFL? Time will tell.
| WR Earl Bennett, Rec: 4 - 57 - 0 (5 targets) |
The game of musical chairs with the Bears WR's continued in week 6 with Bennett seeing a handful of targets and making the most of them. It has been noted before that Bennett does not make show stealing catches, he does however do everything that is asked of him and displays crisp route running and steady hands. His best play of the evening came on a play late in the 4th quarter when he went up to get a Cutler pass and took a huge hit but managed to hold onto the ball. Cutler continues to spread the ball around week to week making it tough to forecast his WR's values.
| WR Johnny Knox, Rec: 3 - 34 - 1 (7 targets) |
The rookie WR continues to flash his game changing speed on out routes, but on this night Jay Cutler was only able to find him a couple of times. The majority of his targets came early in the game and he converted one of them into an excellent out route TD. Later in the game Knox was Cutler's hot read and turned them into some short gains out of the slot. As mentioned before, Knox was beating man coverage all night with his speed but Cutler just didn't connect up with him. He is clearly the deep downfield target on this offense right now.
| TE Greg Olsen, Rec: 5 - 57 - 1 (10 targets) |
Leading into this game there had been some discussion about the Bears getting the ball to Greg Olsen more, and that effort was definitely made in week 6. This effort led to a season high 10 targets for Olsen (for 5 catches and a TD). The problem is that Jay Cutler often forced the ball to him even when he was well covered downfield. Early in the game, Olsen made a handful of short receptions, nothing fancy. However in the 2nd half he made a great downfield catch in double coverage in the 4th to take the Bears into the red zone. His TD catch came from a clean over the middle route. Defenses are clearly focusing on slowing down Olsen, the production is starting to come around and he should continue to be a difference maker at the TE position for his owners.
| TE Desmond Clark, Rec: 3 - 32 - 0 (4 targets) |
The well respected veteran turned in his best game of the season thus far in week 6. He made a terrific diving catch inside the 1 on a rollout by Jay Cutler. He also chipped in with a 24 yd catch in the 3rd quarter. Clark remains a better NFL player than fantasy football player and barring an injury to Olsen he is not worth rostering.
Atlanta Falcons
| QB Matt Ryan, Pass: 19 - 33 - 185 - 2 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 3 - 8 - 0 |
Despite having a bit of an off night Matt Ryan was able to lead his team to victory over the Bears on Sunday night. Early in the game the Bears pass rush was able to get to Ryan causing him to overthrow his receivers. The Falcons staff realized this and adjusted on the fly going to a no-huddle offense in the 2nd quarter. Ryan then led his team on two TD drives, the first on a short pass to Roddy White that White was able to take 40yds to the house and then later on a 10 yard strike over the middle to Tony Gonzalez. Ryan threw a couple of 2nd half INT's both caused by the Bears pressuring him, leading Ryan to overthrowing his receivers down field. However with the game on the line Ryan was able to lead his squad to a game winning TD. Overall an asymmetrical performance from the 2nd year signal caller.
| RB Michael Turner, Rush: 13 - 30 - 1, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (2 targets) |
The Bears gameplan was clearly to contain Michael Turner this week for the most past they succeeded doing so in week 6. Turner was bottled up early because the Bears stacked the interior with everything they had. This caused the Falcons to use Norwood/Snelling more on perimeter often through the 2nd and 3rd quarters and limited Turner's total touched on the night. He turned in one of his quietest games since joining the Falcons carrying the ball for just 30 yards and another 16 in the air. Make no mistake about it though, Turner ran extremely hard and fought for everything he gained during the game. His hardwork paid off late as he found the end zone on the Falcons final possession of the game on a 5 yard rush. Turner may not be ripping off huge runs like he did so often last season, but he is a serious threat to score a TD each and every week. He has 6 in 5 games already.
| RB Jerious Norwood, Rush: 4 - 21 - 0, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (2 targets) |
Norwood entered the game to provide a change of pace for the Falcons running attack in week 6. He was well on his way to doing just that when he suffered what appeared to be a hip flexor injury. Before exiting Norwood had managed to rush for 21 yards and chip in with 2 catches for 12 yards. Norwood continues to have issues with staying on the field for Atlanta and is starting to lose touches to Jason Snelling.
| RB Jason Snelling, Rush: 3 - 9 - 0, Rec: 2 - 22 - 0 (2 targets) |
Snelling had a nice game in week 6 starting out as the Falcons fullback and then later serving as the change of pace back. Snelling used his size on a variety of short catches and no nonsense runs. He ran very hard bouncing off tacklers often becoming more involved once Norwood left the game with his injury.
| WR Roddy White, Rec: 4 - 56 - 1 (6 targets) |
Coming off of a career game White turned in a rather subdued but effective performance in week 6. His first target on the night came as he lined up in a bunch formation which led to a long run after the catch TD (40 yards). White's 3 other catches were on short routes and totaled just 16 yards combined. Matt Ryans' inconsistency's coupled with the Bears tough defense limited White somewhat this week. He made the most of his opportunities however and remains an elite WR in fantasy football circles.
| WR Michael Jenkins, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (6 targets) |
Jenkins turned in a sub-par game in week 6 for the Falcons. He was targeted six times but was only able to bring in 2 catches. This was due to 2 dropped passes and another pass that he tipped being intercepted by the Bears. Jenkins needs to limit his mistakes as he is not a playmaker in this offense and they rely on him for his possession skills.
| WR Brian Finneran, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (2 targets) |
Finneran entered the game in the 2nd half and caught a nice 4 yd pass in the red zone. Typical quiet game for him.
| TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 4 - 52 - 1 (9 targets) |
Gonzalez was never really able to get off in week 6 but he still managed over 50 yard and a TD vs the Bears. Gonzo was covered well by Al Afalava for most of the night but the superior athlete Gonzalez was able to create separation on a few occasions. On more than one occasion he lined up split out and ran a couple of slant routes for a catches. His TD catch to close out the 1st half came after he got away from some soft Bears red zone coverage. He lead the team in targets in week 6.
| TE Justin Peelle, Rec: 2 - 8 - 0 (2 targets) |
Peelle made a couple of short catches and showed good hands with a nice fingertip catch in the 4th quarter.