Report Card: Bears position grades after win over Raiders |
It’s time for us to hand out some week seven grades after the Bears' 30-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders:
QUARTERBACK: A Justin Fields was out for the Bears, and Tyson Bagent led the way under center. The rookie was efficient and effective, throwing 21-of-29 for 162 yards and a touchdown. He added 24 yards on the ground before Nathan Peterman came in for the victory formation. He has so far performed admirably in Fields’ absence.
RUNNING BACKS: A
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 16 carries and 89 yards and two TDs. He also had three receptions for 31 yards and a TD. Fullback Khari Blasingame had one catch. Newly acquired Darrynton Evans carried 14 times for 48 yards and had 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 passing game as well.
RECEIVERS: C+
This unit 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 eight catches for 54 yards, two weeks after the best game of his career last week with eight catches for 230 yards and 3 TDs. Darnell Mooney had four catches for 32 yards and a carry. Tyler Scott had two catches for 19 yards and two carries. Velus Jones Jr. had one catch. This group needs to continue to be better in the coming weeks.
TIGHT ENDS: F
Highlighted by the newly paid Cole Kmet, this group was not great. Kmet had no catches, and Mercedes Lewis 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 and generating pressure in the passing game. The Bears generated one sack from Justin Jones.
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 ten tackles. Edmunds also had an interception. They will remain the base of this Bears defense that needs to improve.
SECONDARY: A
The Bears were finally healthy with Kyler Gordon, Eddie Jackson, and Jaylon Johnson and turned in a solid defensive performance. Jaquan Brisker was solid, with ten tackles. Johnson had two interceptions, one that was returned for a TD. The Bears did not allow many big plays, either.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Cairo Santos was 1/1 on his field goals and solid on PATS, and Trenton Gill got none of his three punts inside the 20. Velus Jones Jr. had 49 yards on two returns, too.
PLAY CALLING: C
The seventh 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. But on Sunday, they were less timid with Bagent under center. This aggression is something to monitor upon Fields’ return.
The Bears play the Chargers this week and will try to stay in the W column.
