Chicago Bears Trail Baltimore Ravens 17-13 At Half-Time

Despite the tornado warning around the city of Chicago, the Chicago Bears game against the Baltimore Ravens started on schedule without any delay. That being said, the weather was going to play a factor in the game on Sunday.

Nov 17, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back

(27) runs the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The weather did not slow down the Baltimore Ravens offense on their first drive in the first quarter. After a 47-yard run by running back Ray Rice put the Ravens in the red-zone, a pass interference penalty on Bears safety Chris Conte had the Ravens on the doorsteps of the end-zone. On a third down play, Rice rushed the ball into the end-z0ne for a touchdown.

Entering the game against the Ravens, the talk was focused on the Ravens running game against the Bears defense against the run. In their first series against the Ravens offense, the Bears struggles against the run continued.

The Ravens continued their momentum as after the Bears offense stalled for a second time in the quarter, Ravens kicker Justin Tucker concluded the team’s second offensive series with a field goal.

One thing to ponder as this game was progressing was how successful Bears quarterback Josh McCown would be in trying to engineer a comeback. McCown does not have the arm strength that Jay Cutler has and that may hurt the Bears if the team is forced to play from behind.

After nearly a two-hour delay due to inclement weather, play resumed with the Bears receiving the kickoff from the Ravens after the field goal by Tucker.

The return of play did not change the fortunes for the Bears offense as the unit stalled for their third consecutive series in the first quarter.

The first quarter concluded with the Ravens offense driving into Bears territory after converting a pair of third downs. The Ravens drive was quickly halted as the second quarter began due to a second down sack of quarterback Joe Flacco recorded by Bears defensive end Julius Peppers. The sack pushed the Ravens out of field goal position and forced the team to punt.

The Bears offense managed to get some points on the board in their first possession in the second quarter. After a run by running back Matt Forte and passes to wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery set the team up in a goal-line situation, the Bears offense stalled. The Bears wound up with a field goal on the drive.

The concerning part about the conclusion of that series for the Bears was the play-call in a goal-line situation. Instead of using Forte or running back Michael Bush to try to pound the ball into the end-zone, Trestman opted for passing plays. The passing plays didn’t work as the Bears were unable to score a touchdown. If the Bears are going to shy away from running the ball in the red-zone, the offense is destined to struggle.

After the offense failed to scored a touchdown, the Bears defense bailed them out. Rookie defensive end David Bass of the Bears managed to pick off a Flacco throw and return it for a touchdown on the corresponding series for the Ravens offense. The touchdown by Bass tied the game at 10.

The Bears momentum was halted on the next series for the Ravens offense. On the drive, Flacco was 5-of-5 passing as he led the Ravens down the field. The drive concluded when Flacco connected with wide receiver Torrey Smith on a 5-yard pass for a touchdown.

After the Bears offense stalled once more late in the second quarterback, the Bears defense needed to stop the two-minute offense of the Ravens. That is what the defense did as Bears rookie linebacker Jonathan Bostic picked off a third down throw by Flacco. That gave the Bears offense the ball back with one minute remaining in the first half. The Bears managed to convert a field goal with the opportunity that they were given.

The Bears trailed the Ravens 17-13 at half-time.