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Chicago Bears Collapse vs Panthers: Week 5 Report Card

By Mike "Boomer" Burzawa

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Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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Defensive Line (C+)

There were a couple of bright spots on Sunday from the defensive line.  Ego Ferguson had a couple of tipped passes, one of which led to a Lance Briggs interception.  Ferguson finished with a +2.3 grade from PFF, the best among Bears defenders.  Lamarr Houston also showed signs of life, recovering a fumble and getting a positive grade from PFF.  Willie Young had a nice strip sack that forced a fumble and set up a score.  Stephen Paea gave you some pass rush from the DT position with a sack.  The Panthers gained 90 yards with their 4th and 5th options at running back and ended up with just two sacks.

Linebackers (C)

The linebackers had a rough outing against the Panthers.  Other than Lance Briggs’ interception on a tipped pass, I can’t think of any big plays they were able to make.  Briggs looked slow and got blown up by Cam Newton on an end around.  Jon Bostic was on the sidelines with a back issue, so Christian Jones was pressed into action.  Looking across the sideline, watching Luke Kuechly make just about every stop made you realize how far this group has to go.

Safeties (D)

Another week, another injury to Chris Conte. It’s hard to believe that we’d miss him as much as we have, but the safeties have been almost as invisible as the defensive line for most of the season.  If you want to know where the Bears safeties are at any point in time, but look at where the opposing wide receivers are going, right in front of them.  Ryan Mundy and Danny McCray did a decent job with 4 tackles apiece but McCray has to get a push on Greg Olsen on the deciding score.  Olsen got a free release off the line and converted an easy score.

Cornerbacks (B)

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Fuller scored a -1.3 in PFF’s grading system, but he appeared to get the best of the battle of rookie players of the month.  Kelvin Benjamin was targeted 11 times but only caught 3 balls for 38 yards.  He drew a pass interference flag in the end zone, but it was a shaky call at best.  Tim Jennings had a solid game on the other side while Isaiah Frey had a nice forced fumble for the first takeaway of the game.  Cornerback play didn’t get you beat.

Defense (C)

The defense only earns a C grade because they didn’t do enough to get the W.  The pass rush has been lackluster and gave Cam Newton enough time to carve up the secondary.  Greg Olsen torched his old team.  He might not be able to block well, but the Panthers put him in a position to succeed and succeed he did.  There are signs of life from some of the newcomers, but a lot of these old guys need to shape up or ship out.  Lance Briggs was whiffing on some guy named Reaves who we’ll never hear from again.  Mel Tucker has been stagnant and predictable the last couple of weeks.

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