Bears Game Grades: A mixed report card after beating the Texans

It wasn’t pretty or even close to pretty but a win is a win is a win as they say. The quarterback played like self proclaimed a** and the defense was shoddy a good part of the time but … the Chicago Bears are 2-1 after Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans and tied for first place.

With that lets get into my Week 3 grades.

Running Back —  A

281 yards on the ground! Wow. It’s not how you are supposed to win in today’s NFL but it is the Bears strength. Khalil Herbert stepped in for the injured David Montgomery and took over the game with 20 carries for 157 yards. Herbert continues to show he has both elusiveness and power. The good news that Montgomery is listed as day-to-day because the Bears are going to need both of them.

Quarterback — F

Justin Fields is causing panic across the city and state that the Bears have another lemon at quarterback. Hats off to all those who have remained calm and still believe that Fields is experiencing normal growing pains. Fields has yet to top his opening day 121 yards passing this time getting to 106 to go along with two ugly interceptions. Nowhere to go up but up from here.

Offensive Line — B+ 

When Khalil Herbert crashed into the end zone to make it 10-0 Bears midway through the first quarter Braxton Jones was right there with him at the goal line. Larry Borom also cleared a chunk of real estate on that play. Sam Mustipher had some snapping issues and we need to see more Teven Jenkins not less but that is a coaching issue. Fields was sacked five times but the QB held some responsibility in at least three of them.

Coaching — C-

Matt Eberflus distinguished himself in the worst way before the end of the first half when he had three timeouts but chose to let the clock run out. That would have been fine if they had not run a play that ended with Justin Fields getting cracked. Not good. The Flus showed he is still figuring out this head coaching thing.

Defensive  Line / Linebackers — B

Roquan Smith gets an A. He was all over the field and showed the physicality that was missing in the Green Bay game. Sixteen tackles plus the game-winning interception. Justin Jones had a sack but Texans quarterback Davis Mills had a comfortable pocket most of the day and the Bears were consistently beat up front.

Secondary — B

Davis Mills found his receivers for 245 yards which was a season-high but the Bears were able to get to big interceptions when they needed them. Credit Kindle Vildor for deflecting a ball that would have been a touchdown to Eddie Jackson. Considering the Bears did not have Jaylon Johnson the unit held up fine. Kyler Gordon nearly had the play of the game when he batted down a ball on corner blitz in the backfield. If Gordon had taken it to the house he would have gotten a game ball.

Special teams — A-

Cairo Santos made all three of his field goal attempts including the game-winner and a 50-yard bomb. Trenton Gill boomed 4 punts for a 45-yard average. The minus is for Trestan Ebner who simply does not have the speed to be a kick returner. Not your fault Trestan. Get healthy, Velus.