Bears' play of the game: Devin Hester's TD catch

Play of the game in slo-mo Situation: Trailing 19-17, the Bears face second-and-7 on the Seahawks' 36 just after the two-minute warning.

Result: Jay Cutler throws a short pass to Devin Hester, who takes it to the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown.

The tape shows: The intent of the play is merely to get 5 to 7 yards so the Bears can either put themselves in a manageable third-down situation or set themselves up for a field goal. The Bears choose to pass with the anticipation -- the correct anticipation -- that the Seahawks will use an eight-man front.

Adrian Peterson, lined up as a single back, picks up right defensive end Darryl Tapp. But on the other side of the formation, left end Patrick Kerney blows past right tackle Chris Williams with an outside speed rush. He gets to Cutler just after Cutler unloads a high pass.

The Seahawks are in man-to-man defense. Hester runs a 5-yard slant in front of cornerback Travis Fisher, who is on the field only because Ken Lucas was injured in the game.

As Hester reaches high to make the catch, free safety Deon Grant comes in from a poor angle and hits Fisher instead of Hester. Hester turns upfield toward the end zone, and Earl Bennett makes a downfield block. No defender gets near Hester.



(chicagotribune.com)