Inside the Numbers: Chicago Bears Week 2 Wrapup

Sep 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs (55) reacts during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

As we wrap up another successful week and a 2-0 start, it’s time to look at the stat sheets and look Inside the Numbers to see where the Bears rank across various categories and what the experts at Pro Football Focus thought.  First, let’s look at the Week 2 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

The Bears blew their streak in the Red Zone, going 2/4 in red zone opportunities against the Vikings.  They had been perfect after Week 1 but a Cutler interception in the end zone on a tipped past ended that streak.  We knew it wasn’t going to last, right?  Cutler had been much better with the ball in the red zone in recent years after a horrible start when he first arrived in Chicago.

From Pro Football Focus, offensive linemen, Roberto Garza (+3.2) and guards Matt Slauson and Kyle Long (both +2.1) ended up on the plus side while tackles   Jermon Bushrod (-0.4) and rookie Jordan Mills (-2.4) didn’t grade out as well.   Jared Allen and Brian Robinson will do that to you.

Tight End Martellus Bennett drew the second highest overall grade with a +2.6 grade.  Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall also finished with positive marks.  Despite a terrific catch on that game winning drive, Alshon Jeffery received the second lowest grade, a -2.2.

On the defensive side of the ball, the grades were not as good.  Lance Briggs led the defense with a +3.8, while Nate Collins (with a key forced fumble) and Tim Jennings (with a pick-6), had plus grades.  There was a slew of Bears with negative grades including four defensive linemen – Henry Melton (-2.4), Stephen Paea and Shea McClellin (both -2.3) and Julius Peppers (-1.6) – with the four worst overall defensive grades.  It goes to show that our regular old eyeballs tell us as much as these advanced metrics can.

Hit the next page for some overall 2013 rankings after two weeks on the season.