Think anyone in Chicago cares were Cedric Benson is these days? Bears’ rookie running back Matt Fotre rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown as Chicago hammered the Colts 29-13 on Sunday night.
• Matt Forte’s 123 yards are the second-most for a rookie RB in Week 1 in the last 10 seasons (Cadillac Williams had 148 in 2005).
• The 29 points for the Bears are the most in a season-opening game since 1995 (31-14 win over Vikings).
• The Colts allowed their first safety since Nov. 19, 2000 at Green Bay.
• Kyle Orton improved to 13-6 as a starter for the Bears.
Outside of Devin Hester’s attempted fake on a kick return that cost the Bears valuable field position at the start of the second half, Chicago played a perfect game. They put pressure on Peyton Manning, caused turnovers, kept Joseph Addai in check and obviously ran roughshod on the Colts’ defense. Kyle Orton (13 of 21 for 150 yards) wasn’t anything special, but he didn’t have to be with how good Forte was. The important thing for Orton was that he didn’t turn the ball over and kept the offense moving. Chicago’s offensive line (which was a concern entering the season), was also solid.
Manning was off all night, but looking back should that really have been a surprise? Even though not much is expected of the Bears this year, their defense is still one of the best in the NFC and they completely took the Colts out of their game. Plus, Manning missed the entire preseason, only had one practice under his belt and didn’t have All-Pro center Jeff Saturday helping protect him. Manning and Indy are going to be fine. But the run defense was a concern the year they won the Super Bowl and it didn’t look good again Sunday night. With Adrian Peterson and the Jaguars coming up the next two weeks, the Colts better shore up their run defense.
