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The Bears lost the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field, giving the Bears a record of 3 losses at home early in the season. This is a team that should be tied with Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions by now. But they are currently swimming in a 3-4 season along with the 2-5 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North division. What was seen as a promising year for the Bears with a strong offense and a revamped defense, the Chicago Bears have appeared to be disconnected and inexperienced. It starts with the leadership.

Coaching Staff:

Every single loss, Head coach Marc Trestman begins with these words, "This is a tough loss and it starts with me." That is correct Coach Trestman, it starts with you.  It was you who hired Aaron Kromer to lead the offense, Mel Tucker to lead the defense and Joe DeCamillis to lead Special Team. So far DeCamillis has not done anything special as the Bears special teams look like amateurs and the return game is none existent.

As for the defense, DC Mel Tucker has improved the defense in preparing the young players in stopping the pass and run action.  But if we look at the numbers rookie Willie Young has 7 sacks so far this season, followed by Stephen Paea with 4 and Jeremiah Ratliff with 3.5. Stepping up to the plate is rookie CB Kyle Fuller with 25 solo tackles, 8 assists, 3 fumbles and 3 interceptions.  But there still needs to be more practice on the pass rush and pressure to the quarterback, as we have seen little from Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen. 

As for the offense, OC Aaron Kromer needs to drill it on ball protection. However, Marc Trestman, aka "The Quarterback Whisperer", needs to speak louder to QB Jay Cutler, who, as of late can't seem to go through a game without throwing a pick or two. With the exception of the game in Atlanta, Cutler is on track to finish his season with 10+ interceptions. Every coach wants to have confidence in his gunner, but until Cutler can meet up to the level of an Aaron Rodgers or a Peyton Manning, Trestman needs to tighten the reins on Cutler's play calling abilities.

The undertone to Marshall's "pep talk" in the locker room and the comments he said to the media, was loud and clear. Play with heart boys. Dig deeper and find the will to win without jeopardizing the play with unnecessary penalties.  In a non-calling-out way, without mentioning his quarterbacks name, Marshall was telling Cutler to run the given play.  This is a team and not a one-man-show.  Just find the OPEN receiver and throw. Ex-Bear Doug Flutie said it best, "nothing has changed in the game. It's still the same. You find the open receiver and you throw."

The Bears play the New England Patriots on the road this week and Vegas Odds has them as the underdog at -6. The Bears could make a statement here and show that they can keep up with the big boys, by playing as one consistent cohesive unit. Going into the bye after that will give them much needed rest but an opportunity to clean up the miscues in all phases and prepare to play the Packers in Lambeau Field. A win there will scream volumes that the Bears are not done yet.

To quote Marshall, "We just need to gel, we need to continue to come together, but the time is now."

The Bears lost the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field, giving the Bears a record of 3 losses at home early in the season. This is a team that should be tied with Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions by now. But they are currently swimming in a 3-4 season along with the 2-5 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North division. What was seen as a promising year for the Bears with a strong offense and a revamped defense, the Chicago Bears have appeared to be disconnected and inexperienced. It starts with the leadership.

Coaching Staff:

Every single loss, Head coach Marc Trestman begins with these words, "This is a tough loss and it starts with me." That is correct Coach Trestman, it starts with you.  It was you who hired Aaron Kromer to lead the offense, Mel Tucker to lead the defense and Joe DeCamillis to lead Special Team. So far DeCamillis has not done anything special as the Bears special teams look like amateurs and the return game is none existent.

As for the defense, DC Mel Tucker has improved the defense in preparing the young players in stopping the pass and run action.  But if we look at the numbers rookie Willie Young has 7 sacks so far this season, followed by Stephen Paea with 4 and Jeremiah Ratliff with 3.5. Stepping up to the plate is rookie CB Kyle Fuller with 25 solo tackles, 8 assists, 3 fumbles and 3 interceptions.  But there still needs to be more practice on the pass rush and pressure to the quarterback, as we have seen little from Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen. 

As for the offense, OC Aaron Kromer needs to drill it on ball protection. However, Marc Trestman, aka "The Quarterback Whisperer", needs to speak louder to QB Jay Cutler, who, as of late can't seem to go through a game without throwing a pick or two. With the exception of the game in Atlanta, Cutler is on track to finish his season with 10+ interceptions. Every coach wants to have confidence in his gunner, but until Cutler can meet up to the level of an Aaron Rodgers or a Peyton Manning, Trestman needs to tighten the reins on Cutler's play calling abilities.

The undertone to Marshall's "pep talk" in the locker room and the comments he said to the media, was loud and clear. Play with heart boys. Dig deeper and find the will to win without jeopardizing the play with unnecessary penalties.  In a non-calling-out way, without mentioning his quarterbacks name, Marshall was telling Cutler to run the given play.  This is a team and not a one-man-show.  Just find the OPEN receiver and throw. Ex-Bear Doug Flutie said it best, "nothing has changed in the game. It's still the same. You find the open receiver and you throw."

The Bears play the New England Patriots on the road this week and Vegas Odds has them as the underdog at -6. The Bears could make a statement here and show that they can keep up with the big boys, by playing as one consistent cohesive unit. Going into the bye after that will give them much needed rest but an opportunity to clean up the miscues in all phases and prepare to play the Packers in Lambeau Field. A win there will scream volumes that the Bears are not done yet.

To quote Marshall, "We just need to gel, we need to continue to come together, but the time is now."

The Bears lost the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field, giving the Bears a record of 3 losses at home early in the season. This is a team that should be tied with Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions by now. But they are currently swimming in a 3-4 season along with the 2-5 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North division. What was seen as a promising year for the Bears with a strong offense and a revamped defense, the Chicago Bears have appeared to be disconnected and inexperienced. It starts with the leadership.

Coaching Staff:

Every single loss, Head coach Marc Trestman begins with these words, "This is a tough loss and it starts with me." That is correct Coach Trestman, it starts with you.  It was you who hired Aaron Kromer to lead the offense, Mel Tucker to lead the defense and Joe DeCamillis to lead Special Team. So far DeCamillis has not done anything special as the Bears special teams look like amateurs and the return game is none existent.

As for the defense, DC Mel Tucker has improved the defense in preparing the young players in stopping the pass and run action.  But if we look at the numbers rookie Willie Young has 7 sacks so far this season, followed by Stephen Paea with 4 and Jeremiah Ratliff with 3.5. Stepping up to the plate is rookie CB Kyle Fuller with 25 solo tackles, 8 assists, 3 fumbles and 3 interceptions.  But there still needs to be more practice on the pass rush and pressure to the quarterback, as we have seen little from Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen. 

As for the offense, OC Aaron Kromer needs to drill it on ball protection. However, Marc Trestman, aka "The Quarterback Whisperer", needs to speak louder to QB Jay Cutler, who, as of late can't seem to go through a game without throwing a pick or two. With the exception of the game in Atlanta, Cutler is on track to finish his season with 10+ interceptions. Every coach wants to have confidence in his gunner, but until Cutler can meet up to the level of an Aaron Rodgers or a Peyton Manning, Trestman needs to tighten the reins on Cutler's play calling abilities.

The undertone to Marshall's "pep talk" in the locker room and the comments he said to the media, was loud and clear. Play with heart boys. Dig deeper and find the will to win without jeopardizing the play with unnecessary penalties.  In a non-calling-out way, without mentioning his quarterbacks name, Marshall was telling Cutler to run the given play.  This is a team and not a one-man-show.  Just find the OPEN receiver and throw. Ex-Bear Doug Flutie said it best, "nothing has changed in the game. It's still the same. You find the open receiver and you throw."

The Bears play the New England Patriots on the road this week and Vegas Odds has them as the underdog at -6. The Bears could make a statement here and show that they can keep up with the big boys, by playing as one consistent cohesive unit. Going into the bye after that will give them much needed rest but an opportunity to clean up the miscues in all phases and prepare to play the Packers in Lambeau Field. A win there will scream volumes that the Bears are not done yet.

To quote Marshall, "We just need to gel, we need to continue to come together, but the time is now."

The Bears lost the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field, giving the Bears a record of 3 losses at home early in the season. This is a team that should be tied with Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions by now. But they are currently swimming in a 3-4 season along with the 2-5 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North division. What was seen as a promising year for the Bears with a strong offense and a revamped defense, the Chicago Bears have appeared to be disconnected and inexperienced. It starts with the leadership.

Coaching Staff:

Every single loss, Head coach Marc Trestman begins with these words, "This is a tough loss and it starts with me." That is correct Coach Trestman, it starts with you.  It was you who hired Aaron Kromer to lead the offense, Mel Tucker to lead the defense and Joe DeCamillis to lead Special Team. So far DeCamillis has not done anything special as the Bears special teams look like amateurs and the return game is none existent.

As for the defense, DC Mel Tucker has improved the defense in preparing the young players in stopping the pass and run action.  But if we look at the numbers rookie Willie Young has 7 sacks so far this season, followed by Stephen Paea with 4 and Jeremiah Ratliff with 3.5. Stepping up to the plate is rookie CB Kyle Fuller with 25 solo tackles, 8 assists, 3 fumbles and 3 interceptions.  But there still needs to be more practice on the pass rush and pressure to the quarterback, as we have seen little from Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen. 

As for the offense, OC Aaron Kromer needs to drill it on ball protection. However, Marc Trestman, aka "The Quarterback Whisperer", needs to speak louder to QB Jay Cutler, who, as of late can't seem to go through a game without throwing a pick or two. With the exception of the game in Atlanta, Cutler is on track to finish his season with 10+ interceptions. Every coach wants to have confidence in his gunner, but until Cutler can meet up to the level of an Aaron Rodgers or a Peyton Manning, Trestman needs to tighten the reins on Cutler's play calling abilities.

The undertone to Marshall's "pep talk" in the locker room and the comments he said to the media, was loud and clear. Play with heart boys. Dig deeper and find the will to win without jeopardizing the play with unnecessary penalties.  In a non-calling-out way, without mentioning his quarterbacks name, Marshall was telling Cutler to run the given play.  This is a team and not a one-man-show.  Just find the OPEN receiver and throw. Ex-Bear Doug Flutie said it best, "nothing has changed in the game. It's still the same. You find the open receiver and you throw."

The Bears play the New England Patriots on the road this week and Vegas Odds has them as the underdog at -6. The Bears could make a statement here and show that they can keep up with the big boys, by playing as one consistent cohesive unit. Going into the bye after that will give them much needed rest but an opportunity to clean up the miscues in all phases and prepare to play the Packers in Lambeau Field. A win there will scream volumes that the Bears are not done yet.

To quote Marshall, "We just need to gel, we need to continue to come together, but the time is now."

The Bears lost the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field, giving the Bears a record of 3 losses at home early in the season. This is a team that should be tied with Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions by now. But they are currently swimming in a 3-4 season along with the 2-5 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North division. What was seen as a promising year for the Bears with a strong offense and a revamped defense, the Chicago Bears have appeared to be disconnected and inexperienced. It starts with the leadership.

Coaching Staff:

Every single loss, Head coach Marc Trestman begins with these words, "This is a tough loss and it starts with me." That is correct Coach Trestman, it starts with you.  It was you who hired Aaron Kromer to lead the offense, Mel Tucker to lead the defense and Joe DeCamillis to lead Special Team. So far DeCamillis has not done anything special as the Bears special teams look like amateurs and the return game is none existent.

As for the defense, DC Mel Tucker has improved the defense in preparing the young players in stopping the pass and run action.  But if we look at the numbers rookie Willie Young has 7 sacks so far this season, followed by Stephen Paea with 4 and Jeremiah Ratliff with 3.5. Stepping up to the plate is rookie CB Kyle Fuller with 25 solo tackles, 8 assists, 3 fumbles and 3 interceptions.  But there still needs to be more practice on the pass rush and pressure to the quarterback, as we have seen little from Lamarr Houston and Jared Allen. 

As for the offense, OC Aaron Kromer needs to drill it on ball protection. However, Marc Trestman, aka "The Quarterback Whisperer", needs to speak louder to QB Jay Cutler, who, as of late can't seem to go through a game without throwing a pick or two. With the exception of the game in Atlanta, Cutler is on track to finish his season with 10+ interceptions. Every coach wants to have confidence in his gunner, but until Cutler can meet up to the level of an Aaron Rodgers or a Peyton Manning, Trestman needs to tighten the reins on Cutler's play calling abilities.

The undertone to Marshall's "pep talk" in the locker room and the comments he said to the media, was loud and clear. Play with heart boys. Dig deeper and find the will to win without jeopardizing the play with unnecessary penalties.  In a non-calling-out way, without mentioning his quarterbacks name, Marshall was telling Cutler to run the given play.  This is a team and not a one-man-show.  Just find the OPEN receiver and throw. Ex-Bear Doug Flutie said it best, "nothing has changed in the game. It's still the same. You find the open receiver and you throw."

The Bears play the New England Patriots on the road this week and Vegas Odds has them as the underdog at -6. The Bears could make a statement here and show that they can keep up with the big boys, by playing as one consistent cohesive unit. Going into the bye after that will give them much needed rest but an opportunity to clean up the miscues in all phases and prepare to play the Packers in Lambeau Field. A win there will scream volumes that the Bears are not done yet.

To quote Marshall, "We just need to gel, we need to continue to come together, but the time is now."

Antone Smith did it again. Another huge play that resulted in a touchdown was one of the few shining moments for the Falcons on Sunday, but little else was positive in the 27-13 loss at home to the Bears.

Chicago’s passing game proved to be too much for the Atlanta secondary as Jay Cutler and his cast of receivers lit the secondary and defense up most of the game.

Last time I checked, the Falcons had an explosive passing attack that was supposed to do the same thing.

The Falcons have now lost three games in a row, causing some concern with the coaching staff and front office. The ship needs to be leveled off. The NFC South is not a juggernaut with each team having a chance to make some noise (including Tampa Bay) this year.

Here are some observances of the Falcons in the loss on Sunday, according to the team’s website.

• Runningback Antone Smith scored his team-leading fifth touchdown of the season on a 41-yard catch and run on Atlanta’s opening drive of the second half. He is averaging 51 yards per scoring play and 56.3 yards per touchdown reception this season.

• Smith has scored twice on the ground and three times through the air this season and has totaled 346 yards on 23 touches. The fifth-year player from Florida State is averaging 15 yards per touch and 57.6 yards per game.

• For his career, Smith has scored receiving touchdowns of 74, 54, and 41 yards while adding rushing scores of 50, 48, 38, and 38 yards. He is averaging 49 yards per scoring play during his career.

• Smith is the only player with six scrimmage touchdowns of 35-plus yards in his first 25 career touches since 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

• Smith and Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch are the only players in the NFL to record multiple touchdowns both rushing and receiving this season. Smith’s five total touchdowns rank tied for the sixth most in the NFL.

• Quarterback Matt Ryan threw his 12th touchdown pass of the season when he connected with Smith. Ryan has thrown at least one touchdown in 11 straight games dating back to 2013.

• Ryan’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Smith was the Falcons NFL leading sixth touchdown pass of 25-or-more yards this season. The score was Atlanta’s ninth overall big-play touchdown, a mark that also leads the NFL.

• Wide Receiver Julio Jones caught four passes for 68 yards in Sunday’s loss. His 44 receptions this season are the second-most in the NFL while his 620 yards rank third.

• Kicker Matt Bryant connected on a pair of 50-yard field goals, including a season-long 54 yarder in the third quarter. Sunday marked the second time this season and the second time in his career that Bryant has hit two field goals of 50 yards-or-longer.

• Bryant has hit 15 field goals of 50 yards or longer since joining the Falcons in 2009. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, Bryant had connected on just two kicks of 50-or-more yards. Bryant’s 78.9 field goal percentage on kicks of 50 yards-or-longer is the third best in the NFL since 2009.

• Bryant’s 54-yard field goal was his longest kick since booting a 55 yarder against New Orleans in 2012 (11/29/12).

• Atlanta’s defense notched its second game with multiple sacks as DE Jonathan Massaquoi and CB Robert McClain each registered one sack while DE Kroy Biermann and DT Paul Soliai combined for a third sack.

• Massaquoi dragged down Bears QB Jay Cutler for a five-yard loss on a second-down play in the first quarter. Massaquoi has posted two sacks this season and six sacks in his career. He notched a career-high four sacks last season.

• McClain logged his second career sack, hitting Cutler one-yard behind the line of scrimmage. Biermann and Soliai combined to sack Cutler for a seven-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

• The Falcons had four players with six tackles, including S Kemal Ishmael (six solo) and LB Paul Worrilow (five solo).

Antone Smith did it again. Another huge play that resulted in a touchdown was one of the few shining moments for the Falcons on Sunday, but little else was positive in the 27-13 loss at home to the Bears.

Chicago’s passing game proved to be too much for the Atlanta secondary as Jay Cutler and his cast of receivers lit the secondary and defense up most of the game.

Last time I checked, the Falcons had an explosive passing attack that was supposed to do the same thing.

The Falcons have now lost three games in a row, causing some concern with the coaching staff and front office. The ship needs to be leveled off. The NFC South is not a juggernaut with each team having a chance to make some noise (including Tampa Bay) this year.

Here are some observances of the Falcons in the loss on Sunday, according to the team’s website.

• Runningback Antone Smith scored his team-leading fifth touchdown of the season on a 41-yard catch and run on Atlanta’s opening drive of the second half. He is averaging 51 yards per scoring play and 56.3 yards per touchdown reception this season.

• Smith has scored twice on the ground and three times through the air this season and has totaled 346 yards on 23 touches. The fifth-year player from Florida State is averaging 15 yards per touch and 57.6 yards per game.

• For his career, Smith has scored receiving touchdowns of 74, 54, and 41 yards while adding rushing scores of 50, 48, 38, and 38 yards. He is averaging 49 yards per scoring play during his career.

• Smith is the only player with six scrimmage touchdowns of 35-plus yards in his first 25 career touches since 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

• Smith and Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch are the only players in the NFL to record multiple touchdowns both rushing and receiving this season. Smith’s five total touchdowns rank tied for the sixth most in the NFL.

• Quarterback Matt Ryan threw his 12th touchdown pass of the season when he connected with Smith. Ryan has thrown at least one touchdown in 11 straight games dating back to 2013.

• Ryan’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Smith was the Falcons NFL leading sixth touchdown pass of 25-or-more yards this season. The score was Atlanta’s ninth overall big-play touchdown, a mark that also leads the NFL.

• Wide Receiver Julio Jones caught four passes for 68 yards in Sunday’s loss. His 44 receptions this season are the second-most in the NFL while his 620 yards rank third.

• Kicker Matt Bryant connected on a pair of 50-yard field goals, including a season-long 54 yarder in the third quarter. Sunday marked the second time this season and the second time in his career that Bryant has hit two field goals of 50 yards-or-longer.

• Bryant has hit 15 field goals of 50 yards or longer since joining the Falcons in 2009. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, Bryant had connected on just two kicks of 50-or-more yards. Bryant’s 78.9 field goal percentage on kicks of 50 yards-or-longer is the third best in the NFL since 2009.

• Bryant’s 54-yard field goal was his longest kick since booting a 55 yarder against New Orleans in 2012 (11/29/12).

• Atlanta’s defense notched its second game with multiple sacks as DE Jonathan Massaquoi and CB Robert McClain each registered one sack while DE Kroy Biermann and DT Paul Soliai combined for a third sack.

• Massaquoi dragged down Bears QB Jay Cutler for a five-yard loss on a second-down play in the first quarter. Massaquoi has posted two sacks this season and six sacks in his career. He notched a career-high four sacks last season.

• McClain logged his second career sack, hitting Cutler one-yard behind the line of scrimmage. Biermann and Soliai combined to sack Cutler for a seven-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

• The Falcons had four players with six tackles, including S Kemal Ishmael (six solo) and LB Paul Worrilow (five solo).

Antone Smith did it again. Another huge play that resulted in a touchdown was one of the few shining moments for the Falcons on Sunday, but little else was positive in the 27-13 loss at home to the Bears.

Chicago’s passing game proved to be too much for the Atlanta secondary as Jay Cutler and his cast of receivers lit the secondary and defense up most of the game.

Last time I checked, the Falcons had an explosive passing attack that was supposed to do the same thing.

The Falcons have now lost three games in a row, causing some concern with the coaching staff and front office. The ship needs to be leveled off. The NFC South is not a juggernaut with each team having a chance to make some noise (including Tampa Bay) this year.

Here are some observances of the Falcons in the loss on Sunday, according to the team’s website.

• Runningback Antone Smith scored his team-leading fifth touchdown of the season on a 41-yard catch and run on Atlanta’s opening drive of the second half. He is averaging 51 yards per scoring play and 56.3 yards per touchdown reception this season.

• Smith has scored twice on the ground and three times through the air this season and has totaled 346 yards on 23 touches. The fifth-year player from Florida State is averaging 15 yards per touch and 57.6 yards per game.

• For his career, Smith has scored receiving touchdowns of 74, 54, and 41 yards while adding rushing scores of 50, 48, 38, and 38 yards. He is averaging 49 yards per scoring play during his career.

• Smith is the only player with six scrimmage touchdowns of 35-plus yards in his first 25 career touches since 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

• Smith and Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch are the only players in the NFL to record multiple touchdowns both rushing and receiving this season. Smith’s five total touchdowns rank tied for the sixth most in the NFL.

• Quarterback Matt Ryan threw his 12th touchdown pass of the season when he connected with Smith. Ryan has thrown at least one touchdown in 11 straight games dating back to 2013.

• Ryan’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Smith was the Falcons NFL leading sixth touchdown pass of 25-or-more yards this season. The score was Atlanta’s ninth overall big-play touchdown, a mark that also leads the NFL.

• Wide Receiver Julio Jones caught four passes for 68 yards in Sunday’s loss. His 44 receptions this season are the second-most in the NFL while his 620 yards rank third.

• Kicker Matt Bryant connected on a pair of 50-yard field goals, including a season-long 54 yarder in the third quarter. Sunday marked the second time this season and the second time in his career that Bryant has hit two field goals of 50 yards-or-longer.

• Bryant has hit 15 field goals of 50 yards or longer since joining the Falcons in 2009. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, Bryant had connected on just two kicks of 50-or-more yards. Bryant’s 78.9 field goal percentage on kicks of 50 yards-or-longer is the third best in the NFL since 2009.

• Bryant’s 54-yard field goal was his longest kick since booting a 55 yarder against New Orleans in 2012 (11/29/12).

• Atlanta’s defense notched its second game with multiple sacks as DE Jonathan Massaquoi and CB Robert McClain each registered one sack while DE Kroy Biermann and DT Paul Soliai combined for a third sack.

• Massaquoi dragged down Bears QB Jay Cutler for a five-yard loss on a second-down play in the first quarter. Massaquoi has posted two sacks this season and six sacks in his career. He notched a career-high four sacks last season.

• McClain logged his second career sack, hitting Cutler one-yard behind the line of scrimmage. Biermann and Soliai combined to sack Cutler for a seven-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

• The Falcons had four players with six tackles, including S Kemal Ishmael (six solo) and LB Paul Worrilow (five solo).

Antone Smith did it again. Another huge play that resulted in a touchdown was one of the few shining moments for the Falcons on Sunday, but little else was positive in the 27-13 loss at home to the Bears.

Chicago’s passing game proved to be too much for the Atlanta secondary as Jay Cutler and his cast of receivers lit the secondary and defense up most of the game.

Last time I checked, the Falcons had an explosive passing attack that was supposed to do the same thing.

The Falcons have now lost three games in a row, causing some concern with the coaching staff and front office. The ship needs to be leveled off. The NFC South is not a juggernaut with each team having a chance to make some noise (including Tampa Bay) this year.

Here are some observances of the Falcons in the loss on Sunday, according to the team’s website.

• Runningback Antone Smith scored his team-leading fifth touchdown of the season on a 41-yard catch and run on Atlanta’s opening drive of the second half. He is averaging 51 yards per scoring play and 56.3 yards per touchdown reception this season.

• Smith has scored twice on the ground and three times through the air this season and has totaled 346 yards on 23 touches. The fifth-year player from Florida State is averaging 15 yards per touch and 57.6 yards per game.

• For his career, Smith has scored receiving touchdowns of 74, 54, and 41 yards while adding rushing scores of 50, 48, 38, and 38 yards. He is averaging 49 yards per scoring play during his career.

• Smith is the only player with six scrimmage touchdowns of 35-plus yards in his first 25 career touches since 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

• Smith and Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch are the only players in the NFL to record multiple touchdowns both rushing and receiving this season. Smith’s five total touchdowns rank tied for the sixth most in the NFL.

• Quarterback Matt Ryan threw his 12th touchdown pass of the season when he connected with Smith. Ryan has thrown at least one touchdown in 11 straight games dating back to 2013.

• Ryan’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Smith was the Falcons NFL leading sixth touchdown pass of 25-or-more yards this season. The score was Atlanta’s ninth overall big-play touchdown, a mark that also leads the NFL.

• Wide Receiver Julio Jones caught four passes for 68 yards in Sunday’s loss. His 44 receptions this season are the second-most in the NFL while his 620 yards rank third.

• Kicker Matt Bryant connected on a pair of 50-yard field goals, including a season-long 54 yarder in the third quarter. Sunday marked the second time this season and the second time in his career that Bryant has hit two field goals of 50 yards-or-longer.

• Bryant has hit 15 field goals of 50 yards or longer since joining the Falcons in 2009. Prior to arriving in Atlanta, Bryant had connected on just two kicks of 50-or-more yards. Bryant’s 78.9 field goal percentage on kicks of 50 yards-or-longer is the third best in the NFL since 2009.

• Bryant’s 54-yard field goal was his longest kick since booting a 55 yarder against New Orleans in 2012 (11/29/12).

• Atlanta’s defense notched its second game with multiple sacks as DE Jonathan Massaquoi and CB Robert McClain each registered one sack while DE Kroy Biermann and DT Paul Soliai combined for a third sack.

• Massaquoi dragged down Bears QB Jay Cutler for a five-yard loss on a second-down play in the first quarter. Massaquoi has posted two sacks this season and six sacks in his career. He notched a career-high four sacks last season.

• McClain logged his second career sack, hitting Cutler one-yard behind the line of scrimmage. Biermann and Soliai combined to sack Cutler for a seven-yard loss in the fourth quarter.

• The Falcons had four players with six tackles, including S Kemal Ishmael (six solo) and LB Paul Worrilow (five solo).