Talking points
** The redemptions: Donovan McNabb threw an interception intended for DeSean Jackson on a slant route in the second quarter. Jackson later fumbled a reception away in the third quarter. McNabb finally found Jackson deep for a 48-yard, go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter; Jackson had seen less double coverage than usual. Similarly, LeSean McCoy, who lost a fumble early in the fourth quarter, later burst off the left tackle and ran a gantlet of Bears for the winning, 10-yard touchdown.
** The middle: The latest solution at middle linebacker, Joe Mays, returned to his hometown for his first significant playing time - by default; Jeremiah Trotter, Will Witherspoon and Chris Gocong hadn't worked out in the middle. Trotter started and hit RB Matt Forte for no gain on the first play. Mays then took over, and made two more plays that helped stall the Bears' first drive. Mays then got most of the plays in the first half . . . and was blocked out of the play on Kahlil Bell's 72-yard run in the second quarter. Trotter replaced Mays in the second half.
** The left side: Jason Peters, the upgrade at left tackle, returned after a week off dealing with his ankle injury. He was leaned on heavily in the Eagles' first drive, which earned them a field goal, and he played flawlessly on that drive. It got worse, in part because he aggravated the ankle injury on the third series. He was hit with a false-start penalty early in the second quarter, was largely responsible for the Bears' first sack, then tripped Alex Brown late in the third to short-circuit a drive.
** The Cutler-y: Entering the game with a league-high 17 interceptions, having thrown five the week before, Bears "franchise" quarterback Jay Cutler overthrew tight end Greg Olsen and wideout Devin Hester on consecutive plays to start the second quarter. Both were uncovered. He then nearly threw an interception at the end of the Bears' next drive; Macho Harris dropped it. Finally, he overthrew an open Johnny Knox on a deep sideline pass with about 4 minutes left; then, inside of the last minute, Cutler threw his 18th interception of the season. He deserved more.
** The Wildcat: Michael Vick bolted 34 yards on the third play of the game, eclipsing by 1 yard his combined running and passing total for the season. More typically, he hit Brent Celek (late, for no gain) on the second play of the second drive, then was part of a too-many-men-in-the-huddle penalty early in the third.
** His usual role: Starting cornerback Sheldon Brown, nursing a sore hamstring, was used sporadically - despite his assertion Friday that, despite limited use in practice, he would be used in his regular role.
