Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Bobby Elder, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. Chicago 16 at St. Louis 21 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Chicago Bears: Chris Chandler posted decent numbers for the number of times he was hit ( including 7 sacks). St. Louis put consistent pressure on Chandler through the game. It was a miracle that Chandler didn't turn the ball over at all. Unable to deal with the pressure Chicago went to a very short passing game so Chandler could get rid of the ball quicker. Making things even worse LT Marc Columbo was carted off the field in what may be a season ending leg injury. Anthony Thomas found the end zone and ran hard in this game. Thomas owners have been yelling bust for weeks. Making things look worse Leon Johnson got 6 carries in the first half. However, Thomas looked productive and there is still hope he will finish the season strong. Marty Booker is the only consistent weapon that the Bears have. Besides leading the Bears in catches, yards, and targets he also had two passing attempts in the game. St. Louis Rams: Marc Bulger closed out his starting QB stint in St. Louis with another win. Kurt Warner saw the field for one series while Bulger had X-rays taken on an injured finger, but when the X-rays were negative Warner went back to the sidelines until next week. The St. Louis front office has been very clear that there is no QB controversy and Warner will start next week. Lamar Gordon was steady in place of Marshall Faulk, but not spectacular in any way. Gordon did not find many holes to run through, but he caught the ball well out of the backfield. Faulk went from crutches to a possible game time decision during the week. You should expect Faulk to join Warner in the lineup next week. Isaac Bruce had another big game this week making folks wonder who is the real #1 WR in St. Louis. Clouding the issue even more is the fact that Holt (10) was targeted once more in the game than Bruce (9). As if that weren't enough, fantasy owners have to figure out how the return of Warner next week will affect this as well. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW Chicago Bears QB: Chris Chandler: 20-33-157 passing yards. Chandler took too many sacks and didn't get the ball down field. To his credit, he didn't turn the ball over even though St. Louis pounded him all night. If Jim Miller's elbow is ready to go next week we can expect to see Chandler on the sidelines again. Jim Miller: Miller was held out this week with tendonitis in his elbow. RB: Anthony Thomas: 14-61 rushing yards (TD), 0-0 yards receiving (2 targets). Thomas ran hard and earned his yardage in this game. The Chicago passing game continually took away opportunities for Thomas by taking sacks. Leon Johnson: 6-16 yards rushing, 0-0 yards receiving (0 targets). All six of Johnson's rushing attempts came in the first half. His longest carry (11 yards) was on the last play of the half. Johnson contributed with a long punt return (29 yards) to set up an Edinger FG. Stanley Pritchett: 4-33 yards receiving (6 targets). Pritchett was used as a release in the second half of the game to relieve some of the pressure off of Chandler. All 4 of his receptions were in the second half WR: Marty Booker: 7-65 yards receiving (10 targets). Booker is the best threat Chicago has. If a healthy Jim Miller can return to the lineup Booker will benefit the most. Marcus Robinson: 3-11 yards receiving (7 targets). Robinson ran hard and moved well on his routes. He looks to be making large strides in regaining his former ability level. Dez White: 2-18 yards receiving (4 targets). TE: John Davis: 4-30 yards receiving (5 targets). Davis was utilized like Pritchett to get the ball out of Chandler's hands quickly. Pass Defense: Special attention was paid to keep Holt from burning them deep. Chicago recorded 4 sacks in the game even though the rarely seemed to blitz. Chicago gave up 8 pass plays of 20 yards or more. Rush Defense: Chicago did a good job of stuffing Gordon. Of his 16 carries, 10 went for 1 yard or less. Special Teams: Leon Johnson returned a punt 29 yards to set up an Edinger FG. Edinger was 3 for 3 hitting FGs from 37, 48, and 50 yards. Punter Maynard averaged 42.7 yards on 6 punts putting 3 of them inside the 20. Maynard also converted a fake punt into a 20 yard first down on a nicely designed play. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** St. Louis Rams QB: Marc Bulger: 21-35-347 passing yards (2 TD, 1 INT). Bulger displayed a strong and accurate arm again this week. Some of his decisions could be debated, but his arm was able to cash the checks that his mind was writing. He also displayed toughness by returning from an injured finger after X-rays were negative. If Warner falters next week, the masses will be screaming for Bulger, quickly. Kurt Warner: 1-2-13 passing yards. Warner saw the field for one series while Bulger was getting X-rayed. He took a sack on his first snap, but recovered to complete a wobbly pass to Bruce. RB: Marshall Faulk: Faulk went from crutches to a near game time decision this week. You should expect him to be in the lineup next week. Lamar Gordon: 16-45 rushing yards, 4-52 receiving yards (1 TD, 4 targets). Gordon was mostly ineffective running the ball. Chicago stuffed him for 1 or less yards on more than half of his carries. Gordon did catch the ball well out of the backfield. If Faulk is not ready to go next week Gordon will likely receive all the carries again. Trung Candidate: Trung who? Candidate never saw the field. WR: Tory Holt: 4-54 receiving yards (10 targets), 1-14 yards rushing on a reverse. Holt was targeted down field on several plays, but couldn't connect with Bulger. Three of his four receptions were underneath resulting in shorter gains (22, 11, 11, 10) Isaac Bruce: 6-141 receiving yards (9 targets). Bruce continued to make a living by running the deep in routes. When looking at the length of his receptions (21, 22, 13, 33, 32, 20) you can see a consistency that helps stretch the defense down field to open things up for the underneath guys and running game. Ricky Proehl: 2-15 receiving yards (1 TD, 4 targets). Head coach Mike Martz continues to utilize four WRs each week pirating catches and TDs away from Holt and Bruce. Both Proehl and Edwards are not large threats, but they show enough each week to keep the defense honest. Troy Edwards: 3-26 receiving yards (3 targets). TE: Ernie Conwell: 2-69 receiving yards (5 targets), 1-1 rushing yard (TD). Conwell made a nice over the shoulder grab that gained 52 yards and had a TD carry on a misdirection play that St. Louis has run earlier this season at the goal line. Pass Defense: St. Louis punished Chandler all night (7 sacks and several hits). They allowed only 4 pass plays longer than 10 yards. Rush Defense: Thomas and Johnson averaged nearly 4 ypc in the game combined. If Chicago could have avoided the sacks during the game they may have been able to move the ball well on the ground. Special Teams: Nothing of note to report. St. Louis was lackluster in all phases of the kicking game.