Earl Bennett laughed when asked if he has a different mentality on third down.
"Catch it and get the first," he said. "I'm just trying to make plays. Whatever is called, I'm going to run my route to the best of my ability and keep moving until they tackle me."
It might sound simple, but it's working for Bennett, who has the first 100-yard receiving game of his career against the Lions on Sunday when he caught seven passes for 104 yards, including a 12-yard gain on third-and-four during the Bears' game -winning drive in the fourth quarter.
Perhaps more important, four of those catches came on third down and resulted in a Bears' first down.
"The coaches are calling great plays and putting us in position to make them and we just want to make them," Bennett said. "Whether it's me, Devin [Hester] or Johnny [Knox], everybody is out there trying to make plays and trying to help the team out."
Bennett had four catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles last week.
Earl has made big strides from his rookie year. He might not be an all-pro or a true first but every team needs a wide out like Earl. He is tough and sure handed. He may not be fast but he runs hard and picks up alot of extra yards by keeping his legs driving.