MAN OF STEAL
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QUARTERBACK
CShould almost be an incomplete after Mitch Trubisky attempted just seven passes. But Trubisky ( 4- for- 7 for 107 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 101.8) did make one key throw— a 70- yard completion to Tarik Cohen that led to a field goal. And he avoided the fatal mistake that has doomed Bears QBs in the past.
RUNNING BACKS
C-Jordan Howard ( 21 carries, 65 yards) didn’t wear down the Panthers’ defense like he did the Ravens’ last week. He did have a five- yard gain on third- and- one that allowed the Bears to run out the clock. Cohen didn’t have a carry for the first time this season.
RECEIVERS
CThey have some? Cohen had a 70- yard reception. TE Zach Miller had receptions of 24 and 5 yards. Tanner Gentry had one catch for eight yards— the only reception by a Bears wideout. Nobody else was even targeted.
OFFENSIVE LINE
DAfter a strong performance against the Ravens, the O- line struggled to establish anything. The Bears averaged 4.1 yards per offensive play and 2.6 yards per carry. Trubisky was sacked four times. Only two penalties and no bad snaps.
DEFENSIVE LINE
AAkiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Mitch Unrein and Jonathan Bullard were dominant as the Bears held the Panthers to 4.2 yards per play. Hicks had a sack and Goldman/ Unrein shared one. Goldman had the big stop on Cam Newton on fourthand2 in the third quarter.
LINEBACKERS
ADanny Trevathan’s sack on the Panthers’ second play from scrimmage set the tone, and everybody else followed his lead. Leonard Floyd ( sack, 2 QB hits) and Pernell McPhee ( sack, 3 QB hits) kept the heat on Newton. Christian Jones had a team- high 11 tackles, with 1 TFL.
SECONDARY
A+Rookie safety Eddie Jackson had a historic performance with a 75- yard fumble- return TD and 76- yard INT- return TD. Prince Amukamara’s deflection led to Jackson’s INT. Kyle Fuller had another strong game and came back after an injury. Safety Adrian Amos ( 6 tackles, 1 PBU) played well again.
SPECIAL TEAMS
B-Connor Barth had a 52yard FG attempt deflected and hit from 19. Pat O’Donnell had a 46.5 net average, benefitting from a great roll on a key 66- yard punt that fipped the field.
COACHING
B+John Fox might be best remembered in our town as the man who hired Vic Fangio. But despite playing it close to the vest, Fox played to win and didn’t screw it up. Amukamara credited DB coach Ed Donatell for the PBU/ deflection that led to Jackson’s INT/ TD.