GRADING THE BEARS
QUARTERBACK
A With an offense starting to look like a well-oiled machine, Mitch Trubisky (23-for-30, 355 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 148.6 rating) made some pinpoint throws and took advantage of wide-open receivers to post a perfect passer rating in the first half to stake the Bears to a 26-7 lead (14-for-16, 209 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs, 158.3). He also had a four-yard rushing TD.
RUNNING BACKS
C- Jordan Howard (11 carries, 21 yards) had a nine-yard run on the first play from scrimmage, and Tarik Cohen (7-15, TD) scored on a three-yard run to cap the first possession, but that was about all the Bears needed. Howard had a key block on Trubisky’s four-yard TD.
RECEIVERS
A Allen Robinson returned from a groin injury in a big way — six catches for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie Anthony Miller (5-122, TD) had his first 100-yard game, breaking a tackle to score on a 45-yard play for a 19-0 lead. Tough-luck TE Ben Braunecker’s 20-yard catch was the longest of his career.
OFFENSIVE LINE
B+ Much sharper performance without Kyle Long than last week vs. the Bills. LG James Daniels and C Cody Whitehair had key blocks on Trubisky’s fouryard TD. Tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie provided protection vs. a strong rush to give Trubisky time on his 36-yard TD to Robinson. Pass protection overall was good. Trubisky was sacked once.
DEFENSIVE LINE
B NT Eddie Goldman (4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss) might have been the Bears’ most effective lineman as they shut down the Lions’ run, especially in the first half (17 carries, 37 yards, 2.2 avg.) Akiem Hicks wasn’t as noticeable as he usually is but still was a factor. Rookie Bilal Nichols had a sack.
LINEBACKERS
B Khalil Mack returned from an ankle injury in a big way and had two sacks. Roquan Smith continued his ascent with 10 tackles, including a sack on thirdand-nine that forced a punt. Leonard Floyd had three QB hits, including his first sack of the season. Danny Trevathan had five tackles.
SECONDARY
B Bryce Callahan continued his breakout season with another strong game, including a sack, an INT and two pass break-ups. Adrian Amos had a fumble recovery that set up a missed FG. Prince Amukamara had two forced fumbles and nearly a third, plus a fourth-down INT that he should have just batted down.
SPECIAL TEAMS
F Cody Parkey accomplished a feat that might never be duplicated: hitting an upright on four kicks — two FGs (41, 34) and two PATs. Parkey did make two PATs. Josh Bellamy and Sherrick McManis combined to pin the Lions at the 8-yard line on a Pat O’Donnell punt. Bears failed to recover an onside kick.
COACHING
B+ Bears were ready to go and took control early in a game they needed to win at home against a division opponent, taking a 26-0 lead in the second quarter. Matt Nagy threw a challenge flag too late after Lions WR Kenny Golladay appeared to fumble. Lions then drove for a TD to make it 26-7.