Chicago Bears Week 15 Report Card

Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end MarQueis Gray (47) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Line (C)

There are signs of life on the defensive line.  The Bears finally held an opposing running back and an opposing team to under 100 yards rushing.  That’s got to count for something, right?  Shea McClellin is so bad against the run, it’s downright offensive.  When the Browns ran the Wild Cat, he routinely took himself out of every play.  I guess they don’t see that in Boise State.  Despite the fact that’s he’s sucking gas, I like what I’ve seen out of Jeremiah Ratliff.

Linebackers (C)

There were a couple of instances where I actually thought the Bears had linebackers on the field.  That’s progress, right?  James Anderson led the team in tackles with 11 and Jon Bostic added 5 of his own.

Cornerbacks (B+)

Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Zack Bowman (38) celebrates with cornerback Tim Jennings (26) after intercepting a pass and scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

I really liked the game that Tim Jennings and Zac Bowman played.  Bowman had two interceptions, including a much needed pick-6.  The Bears held Josh Gordon down to just three catches for 67 yards and touchdown, with 43 coming on a pass play in garbage time.

Safeties (D)

The only player that pisses me off more than Shea McClellin is Chris Conte. Chris Conte took another horrible angle and failed to get to the sideline to head off Gordon on his touchdown catch of the day.  What part of being a safety doesn’t Conte comprehend?  On another big pass play to Greg Little that set up the Browns’ first score of the day, Major Wright just let himself get ushered right down the field.   The Bears’ safeties are pathetic.

Special Teams (B)

Devin Hester is making a heck of a pitch to come back to the Bears in some capacity next season.  He’s really been tearing it up on kick returns the last couple of weeks.  He averaged 35 yards per return on kickoffs and had a 21 yard punt return.  Adam Podlesh actually had to punt today.  A holding call on Corey Wootton cost the Bears a chance at a field goal at a time when they needed one.

Coaching (B)

Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Give Marc Trestman credit for sticking to his guns and sticking with Cutler.  It looked like the worst Cleveland-oriented decision since The Decision early on and many Bears fans were hoping Cutler would take his talents to South Beach.  Trestman was in the zone as a play caller, really wearing down the Browns in the fourth quarter, when the Bears came back and sealed the victory.

What do you think?  What grades would you hand out?