Bears Lose in OT

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Aug 18, 2008 2:53PM

Now halfway through their preseason schedule, the Bears still haven't answered their biggest question -- who'll start at quarterback? While Kyle Orton's performance rated slightly better than Rex Grossman's and some think he's shown enough to earn the job, neither QB looked particularly good playing behind the Bears' ragtag offensive line. We're certainly not sold on either of 'em.

Like many of the team's games in recent years, the bulk of the point came from the defense and special teams. The Bears' first score came on a safety after blocking a punt in the second quarter, to which they added a field goal before halftime.

Under pressure in the end zone, Seattle's Charlie Frye threw an interception that Corey Graham ran back six yards for a touchdown.

On the Bears' next possession, Seattle punted to Bears rookie Earl Bennett and watched him return the punt 75 yards for a TD. Without the offense even touching the ball, the Bears managed 14 points in a little over two minutes of game time.

Seattle scored 17 unanswered in the fourth quarter before the Bears offense, led by rookie Caleb Hanie, put together its first sustained drive of the night and scored a game-tying touchdown. And why isn't he in the mix for the QB job?

A blocked punt inside of a minute to play seemed to give the Bears new hope for a win, but when Lovie Smith decided to run down the clock rather than run another play or two, the Bears forced Robbie Gould to attempt a 47-yard kick that just missed the upright to the left. In OT, Seattle scored first and won the game 29-26.

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren