Chicago Bears grades: Taking stock after yet another loss to the Packers

The Chicago Bears looked like they were finally going to beat the Green Bay Packers.

And then they didn’t. Two fourth-quarter interceptions from Justin Fields hurt. So did a missed extra point and a missed field goal by Cairo Santos. Getting to the quarterback remained an enormous problem. Aaron Rodgers left Soldier Field with a clean jersey and another win over the Bears.

With that, let’s get to the grades.

Quarterback: B

Justin Fields brought Solider Field to its collective feet once again with a 56-yard burst to the end zone and joined the record books in the process. Fields is the first quarterback to ever rush for three touchdowns of 50 yards or more. QB1 showed once again he can cut on a dime and see the … field … like a running back. Unfortunately, he did not see Equanimeous St. Brown was going to be unusually slow out of his break and Jaire Alexander was ready to pounce on a key interception that would ultimately seal the Bears fate. Fields threw for 254 yards, his most all season, but he did not throw a touchdown pass for the first time in his last eight games. He was also picked off on the Bears final drive with the game already decided, but it left a further bad taste in your mouth even knowing that Fields’ future remains extremely bright.

Running Back: B

QB1 led the Bears in rushing once again with 71 yards on six carries. David Montgomery ran hard, grinding his way to 61 workmanlike yards. The Bears continue to miss the 1-2 punch of Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. Darrynton Evans did pop one run for 21 yards for a grand total of 21 yards on three carries. Luke Getsy wishes he ran the ball late in the 4th quarter rather than having Fields throw the crucial interception to Alexander.

Offensive Line: A-

Justin Fields was not sacked. The Bears gained 155 yards total on the ground. Teven Jenkins was called for holding, but that was really the only minus. I will have to watch the tape on Alex Leatherwood but early reports are positive for perhaps the Bears new right tackle who shared snaps with Riley Reiff. We did not hear the name Braxton Jones, Sam Mustipher or Cody Whitehair all day long. The Bears offensive line did their collective jobs.

Wide Receivers/Tight End: C+

Eqaunimeous St. Brown left the locker room without talking to reporters after both Justin Fields and Matt Eberflus claimed that Brown could have done a better job on the pass that was intended for Brown but was intercepted by Alexander. That is too bad considering Brown had a good day catching a 56-yard bomb from Fields along with two other balls for 85 yards total. N’Keal Harry smoked Alexander for a 49-yard hitch and go for his only catch. Harry showing once again he can use that big body to go up and get it. Cole Kmet looked good running a slant among his 6 catches for 72 yards. Kmet continues to look more and more worthy of a contract extension. Chase Claypool had a season-high five catches in a Bears uniform but Claypool fumbled costing the Bears a chance to really put some distance between themselves and the Packers in the first half.

Defensive Line/ Linebackers: D

Jack Sanborn aside, this group really continues to struggle. Aaron Rodgers was not hit all day. ALL DAY. Come on man. We miss you Robert Quinn, Khalil Mack, someone. Nicholas Morrow led the linebackers with six tackles but did not flash as much as Matthew Adams. The Bears had four tackles for loss, two of which came from the D-Line and linebackers. One was Adams and the other Armon Watts. Watts has flashed in most games so might have a future in some form of defensive line rotation. Dominque Robinson was credited the 5 tackles and was close to making a couple spectacular plays. The rookie has still not touched a quarterback since week 1.

Secondary: A –

All things considered this group really came to play despite being shorthanded. Josh Blackwell showed he is capable of being way more than just a special teams standout. Blackwell looked better in coverage than both Kindle Vildor and Kyler Gordon have looked too often this year. Jaylon Jones seems to be improving despite being called for pass interference. Jones was matched up with Christian Watson a bunch and held his own. This group, even without Gordon, Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker continues to be the Bears strength on defense.

Coaching: D

There were three odd moments that stand out. Luke Getsy called for a quarterback sneak in the first quarter. Why? Can we please ban that play call until 2023? Give the ball to a running back and hope for the best. Getsy also called for a run on third and 5 in the fourth quarter when his quarterback was 14-16. It might have been an RPO, but regardless letting Fields try to win the game dropping back is what the Bears should be doing even if it ends up with an interception or two thrown to Alexander and Keisean Nixon. Lastly, Matt Eberflus burned one of the Bears three timeouts with the Bears driving when he would need all 3 to stop the clock had the Bears scored again to get the ball back. The coaching staff is still a work in progress managing the game to give the Bears the best chance to win.

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