Report Card: Bears Position Grades after loss to Lions |
The Chicago Bears fell 31-26 to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Here are the position grades for the Bears: QUARTERBACK B+ Justin Fields was back under center for the Bears after missing a little over a month, and he turned in what might have been one of his best games of the year. The Bears were balanced. Fields was 16-of-23 for 169 yards and a touchdown through the air, and he also carried the ball 18 times for 104 yards on the ground. The Bears will need to continue to see improvement out of Fields in this system, but it was certainly a step in the right direction. RUNNING-BACKS C Khalil Herbert is back from injured reserve but was very ineffective in his return. He had 18 touches but mustered up only 41 yards. Rookie Roschon Johnson is also healthy and had six carries for 30 yards. Former Panther D’onte Foreman has led the way over the last few weeks and once again found the end zone for Chicago. Newly acquired Darrynton Evans did not get a touch. The Bears were the league’s top rushing offense a year ago, expect them to continually get this unit involved, and it should open up the pass game as well. RECEIVERS B This unit was one that 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, but DJ Moore had seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown, five weeks after the best game of his career with eight catches for 230 yards and 3 TDs. Darnell Mooney had just one catch and 24 yards after his five-catch, 82-yard performance two weeks ago. Tyler Scott had one catch Equanimeous St. brown caught two passes. This group needs to continue to be better in the coming weeks. TIGHT ENDS C Highlighted by the newly paid Cole Kmet, this group was iffy. Kmet had three catches for 20 yards, and Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis were quiet. OFFENSIVE LINE B Similarly to last season’s debauchery, the offensive line has been a weakness. However, they were really good on Sunday. Fields was sacked twice, 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’ fourth multi-sack game, and Montez Sweat was active as well, with his first sack as a Bear. LINEBACKERS A 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 17 tackles and two interceptions. Jack Sanborn had a sack. They will remain the base of this Bears defense that needs to be better. 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 three interceptions of Jared Goff. Tyrique Stevenson had an interception. This unit was solid up until Detroit’s final drive. SPECIAL TEAMS A Cairo Santos was 2/2 on PATS and 4-of-4 on field goals, and Trenton Gill only punted twice. PLAY CALLING D The 11th 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 unleashed and comfortable for most of the game until the fourth quarter when the Bears tried not to lose instead of trying to win. The coaching staff needs to be confident in Fields, he deserved their faith yesterday. The Bears play the Vikings this week on 8 days of rest and look to get back in the win column on Monday night.
