Report Card: Bears position grades after loss to Vikings |
The Bears began this season with heightened expectations after they finished with a league-worst 3-14 record 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 big improvement in 2023.
However, it has gotten off to an extremely rough start week on against Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and even the Denver Broncos by vulture of a blown lead. It was already ugly, but I don’t think anybody could have expected it to look this abysmal for the Bears through five weeks. However, the Bears finally found the win column after a 40-20 drubbing of the Commanders out East on Thursday Night Football but faltered in week 6 against the Vikings. It’s time for us to hand out some week 6 grades: QUARTERBACKS: D Justin Fields was the Bears' QB on Sunday and was coming off of two of his best-throwing games as a pro. However, Fields was under such heavy pressure that the hits added up and resulted in an injury for the Bears QB. Prior to the injury, Fields was 6-10 for 58 yards and an interception, plus 46 yards rushing. Tyson Bagent replaced Fields and was okay, throwing for 83 yards on 10 completions. He ran for a short TD and threw a crucial interception late, though and the Bears lost. Fields’ health will be a storyline to monitor moving forward. RUNNING BACKS: C Khalil Herbert is on injured reserve, and rookie Roschon Johnson was out with a concussion. So it was former Panther D’onte Foreman (who had been a healthy scratch) who led the way with 15 carries and 65 yards, he also had a reception. Fullback Khari Blasingame had one catch. Newly acquired Darrynton Evans carried 9 times for 32 yards and one catch. 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: C This unit was one that was supposed to take one of the largest steps from last season to this one, and it took a step back on Sunday. Chase Claypool was traded to Miami, but DJ Moore had five catches for 51 yards after the best game of his career last week with eight catches for 230 yards and 3 TDs. Darnell Mooney had two catches for 48 yards. Tyler Scott had two catches for 12 yards. Velus Jones Jr. had one catch and two carries for 20 total yards. This group needs to continue to be better in the coming weeks. TIGHT ENDS D Highlighted by the newly paid Cole Kmet, this group was not great. Kmet had two grabs for 9 yards, and Robert Tonyan had a catch as well. OFFENSIVE LINE: D Similarly to last season’s debauchery, the offensive line has been a weakness. Justin Fields was under heavy pressure, which resulted in five sacks — and an injury. The line opened up holes in the game to save the ranking too. A good Bears season is dependent on this group improving. DEFENSIVE LINE: C The defensive line was much better in both stopping the run and generating pressure in the passing game. The Bears generated two sacks. DeMarcus Walker and Yannick Ngakuoe are getting better in the pass rush. LINEBACKERS: C+ No Roquan Smith headlining this group, but they are still the defense’s strengths. New additions T. J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds combined for 13 tackles. Edwards also added a sack. They will remain the base of this Bears defense that needs to be better. SECONDARY: C The Bears were finally with Kyler Gordon and Eddie Jackson, and Jaylon Johnson and turned in a solid defensive performance. Jaquan Brisker was solid and contributed to a sack. The Bears did not allow many big plays but also could not generate the big turnover. SPECIAL TEAMS: A Cairo Santos was 2/2 on his field goals and 1/1 on PATS, and Trenton Gill got one of his four punts inside the 20. Velus Jones Jr. had 90 yards on three returns too. PLAY CALLING: F The sixth game of the second season of the Matt Eberflus era was not 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. The Bears play the Raiders on Sunday and will try to get back in the W column.
