2017 Chicago Bears: Week 6 Report Card vs. Baltimore Ravens

Even when they have a game well in hand, the Chicago Bears always find a way to make it interesting. After having a commanding 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Bears left the door open for the Baltimore Ravens to tie the game before the end of regulation. Fortunately, Chicago had enough in the tank to come away with a 27-24 victory in overtime.

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This win can very well be credited to the Bears’ running game and defense. Chicago’s offense leaned heavily on their ground attack, while their defense didn’t allow a touchdown for the first time this season. In addition, the Bears caused three turnovers—which matches their season total entering Week 6. As for the passing game and special teams, they both struggled mightily, but contributed just enough to help get the win.

After earning their second win of 2017, let’s take a look at the Bears’ grades for Week 6.

Quarterback

Rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky didn’t have many opportunities to show off his arm strength in this contest. The first-round draft pick threw the ball only 16 times all game, while connecting on eight of his attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown. Trubisky did use his legs when needed, gaining 32 yards on the ground. However, the North Carolina product did fumble the ball twice, losing one of them, and sometimes held the ball too long while waiting for receivers to get open.

Grade: C

Running Back

With career-highs in both carries and yards in a single game, running back Jordan Howard pretty much was Chicago’s offense. Howard finished the game with 167 yards on 36 carries, which included a 53-yard run in overtime that set up the Bears’ game-winning field goal. Rookie Tarik Cohen chipped in with 14 carries of his own for 32 yards. But Cohen’s biggest play was his touchdown pass in the second quarter that put Chicago up 10-0. Cohen did lose a fumble late in the third quarter, which resulted in the Ravens kicking a field goal to cut the Bears’ lead to four points.

Grade: A-

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

As mentioned earlier, there wasn’t many opportunities in the passing game, so naturally, the numbers for the wide receivers and tight ends were dismal. Tight ends Zach Miller and Dion Sims both caught touchdown passes, while Kendall Wright was the only wide receiver to touch the ball throughout the game (two catches for 36 yards). Sims struggled in blocking for the run game, and allowed Ravens defenders to have tackles for loss.

Grade: C

Offensive Line

The offensive line was extremely dominant in run blocking, allowing Chicago to rush for a total of 231 yards. As for pass protection, they surrendered four sacks. Center Cody Whitehair continues to have problems with snapping the ball out of the shotgun. If it wasn’t for Trubisky’s athleticism, one bad snap could’ve resulted in a safety.

Grade: C

Defensive Line

Everything started up front for the Bears on defense. With the exception of one long run by the Ravens, Chicago pretty much held Baltimore’s running game in check. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman was in on several plays at the line of scrimmage, ending the game with six tackles. Defensive end Akiem Hicks was getting constant pressure in the backfield, and recorded another sack on the season.

Grade: B+

Linebackers

The play from Chicago’s corps of linebackers was dramatically improved from last week, and the main difference was the return of Danny Travathan. The six-year veteran filled the stat sheet with six tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Pernell McPhee got a little revenge on his former team as he recorded a sack of his own.

Grade: A

Defensive Backs

With zero interceptions in the first five weeks of the season, the Bears’ secondary decided that enough was enough. Cornerback Bryce Callahan picked off a deflected Joe Flacco pass in the second quarter and returned it to the Ravens’ 20-yard line. This set up Chicago’s first touchdown of the game. In the fourth quarter, safety Adrian Amos grabbed an interception and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. Even with those two big plays, the secondary’s biggest player was probably cornerback Kyle Fuller. The Ravens threw Fuller’s way often, especially in the red zone, and he denied a catch virtually every time. Looks like Fuller is trying to earn another contract with the Bears.

Grade: A

Special Teams

If there was one thing that could’ve cost the Bears this game, it was the play of the special teams unit. On five kickoffs, kicker Connor Barth failed to get a touchback. After a much-needed touchdown in the third quarter, the kickoff unit fell asleep, allowing Ravens kick returner Bobby Rainey Jr. to score on a 96-yard return. When leading by eight points late in the fourth quarter, punter Pat O’Donnell punted the ball directly to Ravens punt returner Michael Campanaro instead of directing it to the sideline with no gunners outside. The result was Campanaro returning the punt 77 yards for a touchdown, and Baltimore tying the game with a two-point conversion to go into overtime. O’Donnell also shanked a punt in overtime, but the refs blessed him with a generous spot. The only good thing on special teams was Barth connecting on both of his field goal attempts, including the game-winner in overtime.

Grade: F

Coaching

With limited weapons on offense, Chicago’s coaching staff did the best that they could do, and stuck with what they’re best at doing. The playbook didn’t seem too overwhelming for their rookie quarterback, but might have been a bit too conservative. Of the Bears’ 75 offensive snaps, 50 of those were called run plays. Trubisky is known for his ability to make plays with his arm, but they rarely gave him a chance. Such an off-balanced offensive attack won’t be this effective week after week. They put in Trubisky because they thought he could give them a better chance at winning than Mike Glennon could. Then what’s with the same play-calling that Glennon had when he was starting?

The coaching staff should’ve also told Howard to not run out of bounds on third down with time winding down in regulation, and O’Donnell to punt the ball to the sideline.

Grade: C