Bearing it All: A new page of Hest-ory

Despite a duo of record-breaking performances by Matt Forte and Devin Hester, the postgame revelry from Sunday's 34–29 win over Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers was a subdued affair. It was clear many players walked away feeling as if the team still isn't playing its best.   

Carolina was a two-win team last year and fielded two rookie defensive tackles on Sunday. One of its best defensive veterans, cornerback Chris Gamble, was injured. The Bears offense could have conceivably run rampant and exploited holes in the Carolina offense. However, the offense was only able to score two of the four Bears touchdowns. The veteran defense of the Bears allowed the Carolina offense to rack up 543 total yards. Wide receiver Steve Smith was able to magically elude blue and orange defenders, often wide open, and racked up 181 yards on eight receptions. 

 

Chicago Bears, September 2011 by timeoutchicago

Julius Peppers, in locker room comments, admitted a need to improve upon issues that were both mental and physical. But it may have been the long pauses after he was repeatedly asked why the defense wasn't performing, and his repeated response that "We have to get better," that said the most about his frustration. There was even a slight agitated twitch in his upper lip before he answered the question "Why did the defense allow Carolina so many yards?"