GRADING THE BEARS
QUARTERBACK
B-
With a makeshift supporting cast, Justin Fields (15-for-23, 119 yards, one TD, no INTs, 92.5 rating) didn’t make any major mistakes, but he didn’t make any magic happen, either. After an opening TD drive, a 44-yard pass to Velus Jones was about it. And his legs couldn’t light a spark. He rushed seven times for 11 yards.
RUNNING BACKS
C
The return of Khalil Herbert seemed to spark David Montgomery (16 carries, 62 yards), who had a nifty 28-yard run to the 1-yard line on the opening drive but was held to 26 yards on 13 carries after that. Herbert struggled to get into a groove and finished with only seven yards on six carries.
RECEIVERS
C
A makeshift corps in difficult passing conditions did the best it could. Rookie Jones (two receptions, 52 yards) provided a spark with a 44-yard catch on a deep ball. Byron Pringle (two receptions, 34 yards) had a 20-yard catch on the opening drive. Tight end Ryan Griffin’s catch on fourth-and-three was inches short upon review.
OFFENSIVE LINE
C
A makeshift line without injured Teven Jenkins and Cody Whitehair held up reasonably well. Larry Borom, playing guard for the first time in the NFL, had an early holding penalty that nullified a TD run but was generally athletic and effective. Dieter Eiselen replaced Michael Schofield for seven plays before Schofield returned.
DEFENSIVE LINE
D
Not much doing here. The Bills rushed for 254 yards on 31 carries (8.2-yard average), and Josh Allen was sacked once for no yards. Trevis Gipson’s QB hit on Allen was the first for a Bears DE in six games. Justin Jones (three tackles) also had a QB hit. Mike Pennel had two tackles.
LINEBACKERS
B+
The Bears were gashed in the running game, but Matt Adams and Nick Morrow had takeaways that gave them a chance. Adams punched the ball from WR Gabe Davis’ grasp, and Morrow had an interception. The two plays only netted three points, however. Morrow also had a pass breakup and eight tackles.
SECONDARY
B
A makeshift corps without CBs Jaylon Johnson and Kindle Vildor and S Eddie Jackson held up fairly well. Kyler Gordon had an interception in the end zone. Jaquan Brisker (seven tackles) had his fourth sack. Josh Blackwell looks like a keeper after doing a solid job in helping to contain Stefon Diggs (two catches, 26 yards).
SPECIAL TEAMS
B
Jones showed some spunk with kickoff returns of 40 and 29 yards. In tough conditions on a windy, cold day, Cairo Santos made all three of his kicks (FGs of 37 and 35 yards and a PAT). Trenton Gill had a 63-yard punt that was downed at the 2-yard line, leading to a 27-yard gain on an exchange of punts.
COACHING
B-
The Bears were overmatched against a Super Bowl contender but still had possession with a chance to tie in the fourth quarter. The offense started fast with an eight-play, 64-yard TD drive on the first possession but managed only two FGs after that. The defense was leaky but also had three takeaways.