I thought for sure the NFL would slap at least a small fine LB Lance Briggs for his questionable hit on a sliding Jake Delhomme. The NFL reviewed the tape HC John Fox sent and see things differently.

"It was a legal hit and there was no penalty called on the play," NFL spokesman Randall Liu said after the league reviewed the play.  "The quarterback slid late and Briggs had already committed.  It was not a foul."

I've said all along the hit was more cheap than illegal. It certainly appeared like a worse hit on Delhomme than the one Shawne Merriman just got a $7,500 fine for from game 1.

This will make all the Bear fans feel vindicated I'm sure. That's all right, we won the game in part because the hit fired up the team.

I have found completing the report card this week a little difficult. When it comes to the Panthers offensive performance the stat line looks ‘pretty awful'. Yes, I use that oxymoron on purpose because though the stats were ugly it was still a tick in the Win column. So this report card may not look too good but hey, in the tradition of armchair QB's everywhere, I'm just pulling it out of my arse anyway!

The offensive running game:             Grade B+

DeAngelo Williams got the bulk of the carries in the first half and he did nothing special. I credit the Bears defense for that. Once it got deep into the 3^rd quarter though Jonathan Stewart pierced the Bears defense repeatedly, slowing down the Bears blitzes. Unlike last week, when the Panthers got inside the five yard line they went to the power running game and Stewart was money, going 2 for 2 on those runs for TD's. For that I had to add the (+).

The offensive passing game:             Grade C

Starting with Jake Delhomme's stat line we're left scratching for positive things to single out. 12 for 21 for 128 yards, no TD's and 1 INT. The Panthers pass protection suffered at times, giving up three sacks. The longest pass completion was 33 yards. After watching their defense keep them close, the offense delivered in the 4^th quarter with flawless protection and clutch catches. Though this grade is low we're not concerned right? Smitty will be back and all will be corrected.

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