GRADING THE BEARS
QUARTERBACK
CAlways a tough spot for most Bears backup QBs, especially on the road. Brian Hoyer finished with good numbers ( 30- for- 49, 317 yards, two TDs, no INTs, 93.7 rating), but he did most of that damage in the second half. Big plays were absent when the game was still in the balance.
RUNNING BACKS
CJeremy Langford ( 3- 31) didn’t get much of an opportunity because the Bears fell behind early. He left in the second half with an ankle injury. Jordan Howard( 9- 45) had a 36- yard run and figures to get more looks.
RECEIVERS
CThe Bears showed some spunk in the passing game, but a lot of it came after they fell behind. TE Zach Miller ( 8- 78, two TDs) and Alshon Jeffery ( 5- 70) were effective. Kevin White ( 6- 62) had his best game as a pro, including a 32- yard catch in the fourth quarter.
OFFENSIVE LINE
CThe Bears didn’t have the glaring errors they’ve had. Brian Hoyer wasn’t sacked, and Jeremy Langford and Jordan Howard averaged 6.3 yards per carry ( 12- 76). But the Bears were unable to establish a consistent ground game early.
DEFENSIVE LINE
CThe loss of NT Eddie Goldman put the line in a bind, but the Bears put little pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and rarely were in the backfield. Will Sutton had a tipped pass, but there were no big plays.
LINEBACKERS
CThe loss of Danny Trevathan put the LB corps in a bind, but the Bears put little pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and made few big plays. Jerrell Freeman ( 12 tackles) was all over the field, but he too often was too far downfield. Leonard Floyd had five tackles. SamAcho had a tackle for loss/ hurry.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
CTracy Porter did a nice job on Dez Bryant ( 3- 40), though Bryant beat him for a TD in the second half. CB Jacoby Glenn broke up a pass in the end zone and forced a fumble that S Adrian Amos recovered. Rookie Cre’Von LeBlanc was active.
SPECIAL TEAMS
CThe Bears appeared to recover an onside kick in the third quarter, but a questionable offside penalty on Jonathan Anderson negated it. Connor Barth kicked a 34- yard FG. Not much in the return game, but coverage units were solid again.
COACHING
CThe loss of QB Jay Cutler put offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains in a bind, but the Bears didn’t respond well— with a mishap on the very first snap. Coach John Fox won a ball- placement challenge, but it didn’t help. It could have been better early, but it could have been worse late.