Report Card: Bears Position Grades after loss to Vikings |
The Bears were fresh off a loss to the playoff-hopeful Detroit Lions and welcomed the playoff-bound Vikings to town. The Bears hung around early but once again dropped a division battle in Chicago, this time to the Vikings, 29-13.
So let’s take a look and give out some grades based on the performances by position after the loss to the Lions. Quarterback D+ Justin Fields was given the day off due to hip and groin injuries in a game that would only benefit Chicago to lose. It was Nathan Peterman and Tim Bowle who instead handled things under center for the Bears. Peterman was 11-19 with 114 yards, plus a touchdown. Boyle did lead a touchdown drive, but he also threw two interceptions. Each had two carries as well and combined for three yards. Neither of these two players are in the Bears' long-term plans, though, so it remains hard to grade. Running backs C David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert were the backs on Sunday. In what may have been Montgomery’s final game in Chicago, as he is due to be a free agent, he carried the ball seven times for 21 yards. Khalil Herbert had 10 carries for 50 yards, and he also caught one pass. The Bears rushed for 118 total yards and ended the season as the NFL’s No. 1 rush offense. Wide Receivers D The passing game was not active against such a high-powered team, and the Bears were without their top pass catchers in, third-year wideout Darnell Mooney and newly acquired Chase Claypool only had two catches for 29 yards. Velus Jones Jr had one catch for 28 yards and a carry for 42 yards, and a touchdown. Dante Pettis had two catches for 19 yards and Byron Pringle. Equanimous St. brown and N’keal Harry each had a catch. The Bears certainly have much more work to do. Tight Ends B+ This unit certainly has talent with Cole Kmet and Ryan Griffin, but they have not been that active. Cole Kmet led the Bears with four catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Offensive Line C The offensive line was not that bad; while they usually struggle to keep Justin Fields upright, they only allowed one combined sack of Peterman/Boyle. This should absolutely still be a point of focus once next season rolls around. Defensive Line D The defensive line was not good. The D-line allowed big play after big play in the run game and did not muster up nearly enough pressure on Minnesota. They also did not muster up a sack. Linebackers D Roquan Smith has been traded to Baltimore, Robert Quinn is now an Eagle, and this unit is depleted. They began to show some flashes with Jack Sanborn and he was out. Joe Thomas and Nicholas Morrow led the way on Sunday, but this unit could use an offseason upgrade for sure. Secondary C- This unit was fine on Sunday but not special. Eddie Jackson and Jaylon Johnson were out, but the Bears got some nice play from, Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker, who look to be pieces the Bears can rely on in the future for sure. The Bears did have an interception as well. Special Teams B Kicker Cairo Santos made an extra point. Trenton Gill nailed two of his three punts inside the 20. The Bears did have 80 return yards on Sunday, though, in five tries. Playcalling C The playcalling was not great, but neither is the personnel, so it is hard to put the blame here. Nonetheless, week 18 is in the books, and the Bears finished the season a league-worst 3-14.
