Bears Position Rankings after win over Lions |
The Bears began this season with heightened expectations after they finished with a league-worst 3-14 and traded the No. 1 overall pick in a deal to acquire DJ Moore and draft capital. The Bears added exponentially to the offensive line and the defense and were widely anticipating a significant improvement in 2023. However, it had gotten off to a rough start through four weeks. But since then, the Bears have been 5-4 and have balanced some really ugly losses with some well-deserved wins.
After the Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football — Matt Eberflus’ first divisional victory in his head coaching career — they responded after their BYE week with a 28-13 win over the first-place Lions. Here are our position grades after the win: QUARTERBACK A- Justin Fields was back under center for the Bears after missing a little over a month, and he turned in another strong game. The Bears were balanced. Fields was 19 of 33 for 233 yards and a touchdown, and he also carried the ball 12 times for 58 yards on the ground and another touchdown. The Bears will need to continue to see improvement out of Fields in this system, but it was undoubtedly a step in the right direction. RUNNING BACKS C Khalil Herbert is back from injured reserve but was very ineffective in his third game back. He had just three touches but mustered up only 8 yards. Rookie Roschon Johnson is also healthy and had one carries for 6 yards. Former Panther D’onte Foreman has led the way over the last few weeks and had 11 carries for 50 yards and two catches for 22. Khari Blasingame also had one catch for negative three yards. The Bears were the league’s top rushing offense a year ago, but they have not yet been able to unleash their four-headed monster. Expect them to get this unit involved continually, and it should open up the passing game as well. RECEIVERS B+ This unit was supposed to take one of the largest steps from last season to this one, and it has been up and down this year. Chase Claypool was traded to Miami midyear after being a nonfactor, which has turned the WR room into the DJ Moore show. Moore was excellent, with six catches for 68 yards and a TD, and he also had three carries for 20 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Darnell Mooney had two catches for 44 yards. Tyler Scott had one catch for 11 yards, as did Velus Jones Jr., A strong showing without a doubt. TIGHT ENDS B It was highlighted by the newly paid Cole Kmet, this group was solid. Kmet had five catches for 66 yards and Marcedes Lewis had one catch. OFFENSIVE LINE C Similarly to last season’s debauchery, the offensive line has been a weakness. However, they were pretty good on Monday. Fields was sacked three times, and the run game was effective. It was one of their best games of the season until the very end. A good Bears season is dependent on this group improving. DEFENSIVE LINE B The defensive line was much better in stopping the run, and they turned in one of their best efforts in QB pressure we’ve seen all year long. It was just the Bears’ fifth multi-sack game. Montez Sweat was active as well with a sack, Justin Jones had 1.5, and Yannick Ngakoue had one as well. LINEBACKERS B No Roquan Smith headlining this group, but they are still the defense’s strengths. New additions T. J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds have been the bread and butter thus far, and they combined for 11 tackles and an interception. They will remain the base of this Bears defense that needs to improve. SECONDARY A The Bears were finally with Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, Eddie Jackson, and Jaquan Brisker, and they turned in a stellar effort. The Bears had two interceptions of Jared Goff; Johnson had one for his team-leading fourth. Brisker led the way with 17 tackles. This unit was crucial. SPECIAL TEAMS A Cairo Santos was 3-of-3 on field goals, including the game-winner. Trenton Gill only punted three times and nailed one inside the 20. Velus Jones had just two returns for 51 yards PLAY CALLING C The 12th game of the second season of the Matt Eberflus era was much better from the play-calling department. According to a newly released metric, the Bears' play calling has been the worst in the NFL — which has been no surprise to those who watch this team week in and week out. Fields was not unleashed, but the Bears came away with the win. The coaching staff needs to be confident in Fields like they were in the first half and stick with it throughout the game. The Bears will look to make it three in a row against the Browns this week in Cleveland.
