Cubs News: Report Card: Position Grades after win over Commanders |
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 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 four weeks. However, the Bears have finally found the win column after a 40-20 drubbing of the Commanders out East on Thursday Night Football. It’s time for us to hand out some week five grades. QUARTERBACK A Justin Fields was the Bears QB on Sunday and was the best he has ever been as a thrower in the NFL, for the second week in a row. Fields was 15-29 for 282 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. The third-year QB tied his career high in touchdowns set just last week. Fields carried 11 times for 57 yards and was under pressure again, but not nearly as much. It may be time to pause thinking about Fields’ replacement. RUNNING-BACKS B Khalil Herbert led the way in a backfield that added former Panther D’onte Foreman (who was a healthy scratch) and rookie Roschon Johnson. Herbert had 11 carries for 76 yards but exited with an injury. The rookie Johnson had three carries for 19 yards and left due to injury. Fullback Khari Blasingame carried for 26 yards on eight touches as well. The Bears were the league’s top rushing offense a year ago; expect them to get this unit involved continually, and it should also open up the passing game. RECEIVERS A+ This unit was supposed to take one of the largest steps from last season to this one, and it was much better on Sunday. Chase Claypool was traded to Miami, but DJ Moore had the best game of his career with eight catches for 230 yards and 3 TDs, which was amazing to see. Darnell Mooney and Equanamius St. Brown were held catchless, and Tyler Scott and Velus Jones Jr. were targetless. This group needs to continue to be better in the coming weeks. TIGHT ENDS A It was highlighted by the newly paid Cole Kmet, this group was great. Kmet had five grabs for 42 yards and a touchdown. Robert Tonyan had two catches as well. OFFENSIVE LINE C Similarly to last season’s debauchery, the offensive line has been a weakness. Justin Fields was under heavy pressure, which resulted in three sacks — but it certainly looked better than before in Darnell Wright’s debut. The line also opened up holes in the run game to save the ranking. A good Bears season is dependent on this group improving. DEFENSIVE LINE B The defensive line was much better at stopping the run and generating pressure in the passing game. The Bears generated a season-high five sacks. DeMarcus Walker, Yannick Ngakuoe, and Raheem Green all had sacks. LINEBACKERS B+ No Roquan Smith headlining this group, but they are still the defense’s strengths. New additions T. J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds combined for 19 tackles. Edwards also added a sack. They will remain the base of this Bears defense that needs to improve. SECONDARY B The Bears were without Kyler Gordon, Eddie Jackson Jaylon Johnson but still turned in a solid defensive performance. Jaquan Brisker was solid, but it was Greg Stroman Jr., who had an interception and a sack that made this unit solid on Thursday. SPECIAL TEAMS A Cairo Santos was 4/4 on his field goals and 4/4 on PATS, and Trenton Gill got one of his three punts inside the 20. PLAY CALLING B The fifth game of the second season of the Matt Eberflus era was better from the play-calling department. They scored 40 points, and it was a relatively comfortable lead all the way around, so there were few chances for Eberflus and his staff to cost the Bears the game. We’ll see if it continues to be decent in the coming weeks, but I am not hopeful. The Bears play Minnesota this week and will try to stay in the W column against a division rival.
