Gabriel: Bears-Chiefs Review

By Greg Gabriel--

(CBS) As the late, great Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over till it's over." No truer words could be spoken when trying to describe the Bears' thrilling come from behind 18-17 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Bears were down 17-6 in the fourth quarter, and I was getting ready to write another "missed opportunity" piece when all of a sudden Chicago took over control of the game with two late scores to get the comeback win.

The most important takeaway from this game is that there's no quit in this Bears team, which is gaining confidence every week as it becomes more experienced in the schemes of offensive coordinator Adam Gase and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Stars and leaders are beginning to emerge, and the confidence this team is gaining makes anything possible. With the struggling Detroit Lions up next followed by a bye week, the Bears just may be at their healthiest to play the second half of the schedule.

While top receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) may be available next week, he will for sure be ready after the bye. There's also an outside chance that top draft choice Kevin White may be able to play the last five or six games of the year. Those two playmaking receivers will give the offense an entirely different look.

Getting back to Sunday's game, there were a number of players who jumped out with their play. Let's break them down.

Jay Cutler

Cutler has his share of detractors, but he's quietly having his best season as a Bear. As I have mentioned in the past few weeks, this is a different Cutler that we are seeing. He's showing the leadership that's needed at the quarterback position, and as he gains experience in the new scheme, his overall play has improved.

We can't forget that Cutler has basically played the last two games on one leg as he deals with a hamstring injury. While he showed better movement skills Sunday than he did a week ago, he still isn't 100 percent. The one thing that I feel he has really improved on is his feel for pass rushers. In the past, we seldom saw Cutler step up unto the pocket and then find an open receiver. He did it numerous times Sunday.

Add to that the poise he showed when he got the low snap and was still able to gather himself and find an open Matt Forte for the winning touchdown pass, and I am feeling that we are just beginning to see how good Cutler can be.

Hroniss Grasu

Grasu wasn't put in an enviable position when he had to start his first NFL game Sunday against possibly the best nose tackle in the game in Dontari Poe, who had his way with Grasu early on and totally manhandled him on the strip-sack/fumble play that resulted in a Kansas City touchdown in the first quarter.

A player with lesser competitive nature could have buckled after that start, but all told, Grasu's play wasn't all that bad. He got steadily better as the game went on and was playing strong football during the final two Bears touchdown drives. Like most rookie offensive linemen, Grasu needs to get stronger, but he's learning to play within himself winning battles with technique not power.

Marquess Wilson and Cameron Meredith

While we didn't see all that much to get excited about during Wilson's first two seasons as a Bear, we have seen him become a pro over the last two weeks. With Jeffery out and Eddie Royal banged up, Wilson needed to step up. That's exactly what he has done the last two games, during which he has a combined 12 receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown. Not only is he giving the Bears production, he's doing it at the opportune times and becoming a clutch player.

When Jeffery, Royal and White are healthy, this will give the Bears four viable options at the receiver position.

Speaking of viable options, rookie free agent Meredith is also coming on at the right time. He had four receptions for 52 yards Sunday, with all the catches coming in the second half when the Bears were making their comeback.

At 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds with 4.48 speed, Meredith has the natural physical tools. All he needs is to develop his route-running skills, and he has the makings of a solid NFL receiver.

Pernell McPhee

All teams need leaders, but it can be difficult for a young player who's new to a team to assume that role. While in Baltimore his first four years, McPhee was never a starter but more of a role players who was on the verge of becoming a star.

The Bears saw that when they signed him to a multi-year deal early on in free agency. His play and his leadership have really jumped out the last few weeks. Leaders can lead in two ways: by example and vocally. McPhee's doing it both ways with his play on the field and by vocally leading on the sideline and in the locker room.

His blocked field goal in the third quarter Sunday was the key play that jump-started the Bears' comeback. With his play the last few weeks, we may be seeing McPhee on his way to becoming a dominant NFL defender.

Jeremiah Ratliff

After being out with a three-game suspension and an ankle injury, Ratliff finally made his 2015 Bears debut Sunday. While Ratliff didn't jump out, he quietly had five total tackles and played a consistently strong game.

What Ratliff gives the Bears is a veteran defender who has experience in a 3-4 scheme. Going into the season, the defensive line was a noticeable weakness. Now with the emergence of Will Sutton, the signing of Mitch Unrein and Ratliff being back in the lineup, the Bears have six players they can use in the defensive line rotation. Having some quality performers up front will make the work of the young secondary that much easier.

Shea McClellin

In Chicago, we are used to having a dominant banger playing the Mike linebacker position. In the past, we've had stars like Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Brian Urlacher. While McClellin will never be like those players, he has quietly become an important part of this Bears defense.

I feel McClellin's play has improved on a weekly basis this season. He's starting to become a better point-of-attack player, and he's consistent in pass coverage. The comments McClellin's teammates made after his knee injury Sunday tell us his real importance. To a man, they all claimed that McClellin is the "glue" that holds the defense together.

That's a hell of a compliment to get from one's teammates. While many fans are still seeing McClellin as a bust, his teammates know better. We should know later Monday how much time McClellin will miss, if any.

Greg Gabriel is a former NFL talent evaluator who is an on-air contributor for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @greggabe.