Report Card: Bears position grades after loss to Saints |
The Bears have now lost two in a row, with the most recent being a loss to New Orleans by the score of 24-17.
Here are the grades by position: QUARTERBACK D+ Justin Fields was out for the Bears, and Tyson Bagent led the way under center. The rookie was not as good as his debut. He was 18-of-30 and threw two touchdowns but also three interceptions. He also rushed eight times for 70 yards. He has so far performed admirably in Fields’ absence, but it is clear there is no Qb debate to be had. RUNNING BACKS C- Khalil Herbert is on injured reserve, and rookie Roschon Johnson made his return from a concussion. So it was former Panther D’onte Foreman (who had been a healthy scratch) who led the way with 20 carries and 83 yards. Johnson has two carries and one catch for a combined 15 yards. Newly acquired Darrynton Evans carried once and had two catches times for 19 yards. 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 another step back on Sunday. Chase Claypool was traded to Miami, but DJ Moore had just three catches for 44 yards, four weeks after the best game of his career with eight catches for 230 yards and 3 TDs. Darnell Mooney had five catches for 82 yards in his best game since week 1. Tyler Scott had one carry Velus Jones Jr. did not muster up a catch. This group needs to continue to be better in the coming weeks. TIGHT ENDS A+ Highlighted by the newly paid Cole Kmet, this group was better. Kmet had six catches for 55 yards and two touchdowns, and Robert Tonyan had just one grab. OFFENSIVE LINE C Similarly to last season’s debauchery, the offensive line has been a weakness. However, they only allowed two sacks to Bagent, and 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 at stopping the run but could not generate pressure in the passing game. The Bears generated not one sack of Derek Carr — even with the new addition of Montez Sweat. LINEBACKERS C+ 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, but Edmunds was out. Instead, it was Edwards and Jack Sanborn combining for 24 tackles. They will remain the base of this Bears defense that needs to be better. SECONDARY D The Bears were finally with Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, and Eddie Jackson but were without Jaquan Brisker, and they turned in a subpar effort. Johnson was good, as usual, but the secondary surrendered some big plays. SPECIAL TEAMS B Cairo Santos was 2/2 on PATS and 1-of-2 on field goals, and Trenton Gill got zero of his two punts inside the 20. The return game was quiet. PLAY CALLING F The ninth 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. Last week they were less timid with Bagent under center, and I thought this aggression was something to monitor upon Fields’ return. However, this week they were hesitant to take any big shots, and as much as the front office may dislike it, it is clear that they need Fields back under center. The Bears play the Panthers this week on Thursday Night Football with nothing to lose and will try to get back in the W column.
