We’ll start on a negative note after the Bears’ 17-9 victory over Rams, because, well, we’re just negative.

Our first grade goes to the Chicago Park District and grounds crew, which gets an F for its lousy job of re-sodding Soldier Field for a second time in 11 weeks.  It looked like a patchwork quilt stitched together at the last minute. Turns out, it was.

The slick sod came up in chunks, causing both the Rams (1-11) and Bears to slip and slide, fitting of their poor play in going a combined 0-7 in November. Time for the Park District to install field turf – it’ll only help the vertical passing game and Jay Cutler.

So the turf gets a failing grade, but that wasn’t the only poor performance on Sunday. Somebody had to win this game, and it was the Bears. They improved to 4-2 at home, about the only stat that has been a highlight in the lost 5-7 season.

We break down the game with game highlights from the NFL Network:

OFFENSE

Cutler had two big strikes in the first half: 48 yards to Devin Hester and 71 yards on a nice catch-and-run by Earl Bennett, sparking the Bears to a 10-0 lead. But then offensive coordinator Ron Turner went back to his conservative calls and took the game out of Cutler’s hands and stalled the offense for nearly two quarters.

Kahlil Bell, on the practice squad last month, continues to run hard in a backup role. He did a nice job of spotting Matt Forte on the Bears’ third-quarter scoring drive, which was capped by a nice third-down call, perhaps Turner’s best of the game: a three-yard pass from Cutler to Bennett to put the Rams up 17-6.

Also noteworthy: Chris Williams moved over from right to left tackle, his natural position, with Orlando Pace out with a groin strain. We like this move, though Williams was beaten badly by Chris Long on a sack of Cutler in the third quarter. Grade: B-minus

Linebacker Jamar Williams had 13 solo tackles (18 total), including this one of Rams back Kenneth Darby.

DEFENSE

It’s hard to laud a defense that just shut down Kyle Boller, who’ll never be mistaken for an NFL quarterback. But with Lance Briggs and Gaines Adams inactive, the Bears defense didn’t play badly. Linebackers Hunter Hillenmeyer (five tackles, interception), Nick Roach (seven tackles, six solo) and Jamar Williams (a game-high 20 tackles, 16 solo) – all backups at the start of the season – played their best games of the season. Yes, they gave up some yards to Rams running back Steven Jackson, but who doesn’t?

Also noteworthy: Kevin Payne, starting for Danieal Manning, did a great job of breaking up a Boller pass to Donnie Avery with 28 seconds left. Rookie safety Al Afalava had a great pick and 41-yard return in the second quarter, but the Bears failed to capitalize after a special teams gaffe (see below).  Grade: B

SPECIAL TEAMS

Normally a strength, this was a disaster area for the Bears this week. The game was just a checklist of comedic errors. At the top of the list: Adrian Peterson’s holding penalty negated an electrifying 68-yard kickoff return by Johnny Knox in the third quarter.

The fake field goal in the second quarter was a nice call, but a poorly designed play. The shovel pass to Greg Olsen was in heavy traffic and he had no chance to get outside. Another coaching-player personnel gaffe: Only 10 men on field and burned a timeout on a second-quarter punt (Bell failed to get on the field). Knox and Bennett fumbled kicks and punts, respectively.

Also noteworthy: When some guy named Danny Amendola has a big day returning kicks against you, you  have coverage problems. Though we were impressed with punter Brad Maynard’s takedown in the second half. Grade: F

COACHING

Some slips here and there with personnel and play-calling, but there were no glaring coaching errors beyond special teams. Grade for Smith: B; grade for Turner: C

-- MIKE REILLEY
 Follow him on Twitter @bearsblogblitz