GRADING THE BEARS
QUARTERBACK
B
Rookie Justin Fields wasn’t prolific and didn’t throw a TD pass, but he had one of the best 82.7 passer-rating games in recent Bears history, going 11-for-17 for 209 yards. And he avoided disaster. His only INT was on a tipped ball, and he recovered his only fumble. His 27-yard throw to Allen Robinson alone should earn him another start.
RUNNING BACKS
A
David Montgomery (23 carries, 106 yards, two TDs) got the offense rolling with a four-yard TD run on the opening drive, then bulled his way into the end zone for a nine-yard TD run that made it 14-0. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter.
RECEIVERS
B+
Darnell Mooney (five receptions, 125 yards) was wide-open on a 64-yard pass from Fields in the first quarter that helped set the tone. Robinson (three catches, 63 yards) had receptions of 28 and 27 yards that both led to scores. The tight ends, though, weren’t much of a factor. Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham had two targets.
OFFENSIVE LINE
A
A huge improvement from the debacle last week against the Browns. Fields was sacked only once — he took the blame — and was not pressured much. With help from receivers and tight ends, the run-blocking was improved, as well. Tackles Germain Ifedi and Jason Peters were solid.
DEFENSIVE LINE
B
The line was dealt an early blow when Akiem Hicks suffered a groin injury on the Lions’ first offensive play from scrimmage. Bilal Nichols had a key fumble recovery of a botched snap. Angelo Blackson (five tackles, QB hit) made the most of extended snaps. Eddie Goldman was effective in his first game since 2019.
LINEBACKERS
A+
Alec Ogletree (12 tackles) isn’t going to give up his job to Danny Trevathan too easily. His pass deflection led to a key fourthdown incompletion early. Robert Quinn (five tackles, one strip-sack, two QB hits) was exceptional. Roquan Smith (10 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss) and Khalil Mack (one sack, fumble recovery) were playmakers.
SECONDARY
B
Jaylon Johnson had his fifth pass breakup on the Lions’ first possession. It looked like it led to an INT for Deon Bush, but the play was ruled incomplete and upheld upon review. Duke Shelley had a key pass breakup against 6-5, 248-pound T.J. Hockenson on a third-and-two that forced the Lions to punt on their first possession of the second half.
SPECIAL TEAMS
B
Cairo Santos kicked a 33-yard FG that gave the Bears a 24-7 lead in the third quarter — his 32nd consecutive made FG. Punter Pat O’Donnell was booming them again, averaging 53 yards gross, including a 60-yarder, and 43.3 yards net. Khalil Herbert had a 33-yard kickoff return.
COACHING
B+
Matt Nagy responded after a disastrous game against the Browns and gave the Bears a chance against a beatable opponent. Handing play-calling to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor paid off, as the Bears used blockers to set up the run and the run to set up the pass. It’s funny how football works like that.