Bears News: Report Card: Position Grades after loss to Broncos |
It’s time for us to hand out some week three grades after the Bears loss to the Broncos:
QUARTERBACK A- Justin Fields was the Bears QB on Sunday and was the best he has ever been as a thrower in the NFL. Fields was 28-35 for 335 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. The third-year QB set career highs in completions, yards, and touchdowns. Fields carried just four times for 25 yards and was under pressure again. Although he only mustered up three yards on the ground. A few turnovers late kept the Bears from winning, but 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 18 carries for 103 yards and four catches for 19. The rookie Johnson had five carries for 13 yards and one catch. 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 B+ This unit was supposed to take one of the most significant steps from last season to this one, and it was much better on Sunday. Chase Claypool was scratched, but DJ Moore had eight catches for 131 yards and a TD which was nice to see. Darnell Mooney, the star of the group in week one and caught four passes for 51 yards. Tyler Scott had two carries for 19 yards, and Velus Jones Jr. had a carry for 10. Equanamius St. Brown also had a 21-yard catch. 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 seven grabs for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Robert Tonyan and Mercedes Lewis combined for three catches and 26 yards. OFFENSIVE LINE C Similarly to last season’s debauchery, the offensive line was horrid in week four. Justin Fields was under heavy pressure, which resulted in four sacks — against a defense that gave up 70 points last week. The line opened up holes in the run game to save the ranking. A good Bears season is dependent on this group improving. DEFENSIVE LINE D The defensive line was poor in stopping the run and generating pressure in the passing game. The Bears only caused one measly sack in this unit’s disappointing outing. 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 16 tackles. They will remain the base of this Bears defense that needs to improve. SECONDARY F Russell Wilson shredded the Bears. Kyler Gordon suffered an injury last week, Eddie Jackson was not out there, and Jaylon Johnson was out as well. Jaquan Brisker was solid, but it was not enough to save this unit’s grade. The Bears were gashed for three passing touchdowns. SPECIAL TEAMS B Nothing special here. Cairo Santos was 4/4 on his PATs, and Trenton Gill got one of his two punts inside the 20. PLAY CALLING D The fourth game of the second season of the Matt Eberflus era was embarrassing for the play-calling department. Sure, they scored 28 points, but the utter mismanagement of the playbook and the clock in the fourth quarter was pathetic. We’ll see if it turns in the coming weeks, but I am tired of screen passes and lateral moving runs. This offense needs to get downfield more. The Bears play Washington on Thursday and will try to beat the odds to get their first win on the road on TNF.
