Matt Forte, NFL Player of the Week for Week 5

Corey Rudd Wednesday, October 13, 2010 NFL, Player of the Week

Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte makes a line-backer
miss during a game earlier this season

Matt Forte knew that he would need to come up huge for the Chicago Bears in their week 5 match-up versus the winless (0-5) Carolina Panthers. Forte knew the running game would be key and he came out of the gates with a bang, with over 100 yards rushing, including two scores for touchdowns.

"It made it an easier offensive game for us to run the ball like that first," Forte said.

Forte rushed for 166 yards, including a 68 yard touchdown scamper in the first half, helping lead the Chicago Bears to a 23-6 victory over the Panthers.

Forte's performance was so impressive, that he has been namd this week's ManSpeak NFL Player of the Week.

With starting QB Jay Cutler sidelined with a concussion, back-up QB Todd Collins struggled throwing 4 interceptions. But with Forte willing to carry the load, rushing the ball 22 times, a season high, the Bears were able to prevail and get production from the running game that they will need if they plan to contend the rest of the season.

Forte, who broke out of college to have an outstanding rookie season, rushing for 1238 yards and catching 63 balls out of the backfield for the Bears in 2008, struggled during a sophomore campaign that watched the Bears struggle to move the ball on offense.

With the direction of new Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz, Forte has taken on the role of Marshall Faulk and has immediatley become dangerous again. Forte offers a duel threat, both carrying the ball out of the backfield, and catching it, as he did Sunday against the Panthers twice for 22 yards.

Look for Matt Forte to continue to surprise throughout the rest of the season and consider yourself lucky if you drafted him on your Fantasy Football team. His stock will only continue to rise.

Follow Corey Rudd on twitter @themanspeak

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