2017 Chicago Bears: Week 12 Report Card vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Making the Chicago Bears a two-touchdown underdog in their Week 12 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles was a generous gesture. After all was said and done on Sunday, the Bears found themselves on the losing end of the lopsided score of 31-3. This game either indicates that the Eagles are just this good, or that the Bears are just this bad (or perhaps both statements are true). Nevertheless, Chicago is now 3-8 on the season, giving them no chance of having a winning record for the fifth consecutive year.

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To say that the Bears struggled out of the gate is an understatement. The offense gained a total of 34 yards in the first half, and didn’t even convert a first down until the third quarter. As for the defense, their pass rush was nonexistent, and just couldn’t find an answer to slow down Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz.

By looking at the final score, it shouldn’t be hard to imagine just how bad Chicago’s grades are for Week 12. But just for the sake of doing so, take a look.

Quarterback

For the fourth consecutive week, rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky had at least 30 pass attempts in a single game. Trubisky completed 17 of 33 passes for 147 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions. Some of his throws were off target because of bad footwork. His inaccuracy led to those two picks, and a number of three-and-outs. Trubisky also had two fumbles.

Grade: F

Running Backs

It’s hard to give the running backs such a harsh grade when they weren’t even given much of a chance to produce. Jordan Howard led the pack with just six yards on seven carries. Howard also hauled in two catches for 13 yards. Rookie Tarik Cohen had four touches for minus-three yards from scrimmage (-11 rushing, eight receiving). Even Benny Cunningham’s lone carry gained minus-one yard.

Grade: F

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

For the second week in a row, Dontrelle Inman was the Bears’ leading receiver. Inman caught four balls for 64 yards. His numbers could have been a bit better, but a couple of drops prevented that from happening. Tre McBride III and Kendall Wright each had two receptions for 20 yards and 15 yards respectively. Tight end Daniel Brown also had two catches for 20 yards, while fellow tight ends Dion Sims and rookie Adam Shaheen were nonfactors.

Grade: F

Offensive Line

The numbers from the run game is proof enough that the Bears’ offensive line didn’t win at the point of attack at the line of scrimmage. Left tackle Bobby Massie was beat for a strip-sack in the third quarter, but was aware enough to recover the fumble—as a result, the Bears scored their only points of the game.

Grade: F

Defensive Line

Just like the offensive front, the Bears’ defensive line showed little push on the line of scrimmage throughout the game. Philadelphia rushed for 176 yards, with LeGarrette Blount leading the way with 97 of those yards. Jonathan Bullard did manage to record Chicago’s only sack on the afternoon, but that was very insignificant.

Grade: F

Linebackers

It appears that life without Leonard Floyd will be a nightmare for the Bears’ corps of linebackers. Their outside pass rush was very ineffective, hardly getting any pressure on Wentz. No one could figure out how to cover Eagles tight end Zach Ertz as well. Ertz finished the game with 10 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown, becoming the first Eagle this season with a 100-yard receiving game.

Grade: F

Defensive Backs

Four of the Bears’ defensive backs were the team’s leading tacklers for the game. That’s not a good sign. Other than their high total of tackles, the secondary had a rough day. Prince Amukamara was flagged for holding twice, and former Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery had his way in the open field. However, they did force a couple of fumbles.

Grade: D-

Special Teams

The windy elements had an effect on the kicking and punting game. Punter Pat O’Donnell’s first punt went for just 34 yards, but he did manage to have a long of 58 yards. New kicker Cairo Santo missed a 54-yarder late in the first quarter. Jonathan Anderson was penalized for a block in the back on a kickoff return, pushing the offense back on their own eight-yard line. There was also a partially blocked punt by the Eagles.

Grade: D

Coaching

What else can be said about this coaching staff? Short pass plays being called on third-and-long. Not giving the best part of their offense a chance, which is the running game. A number of repeated penalties, which is a reflection of the discipline taught by the coaches. Maybe the right coach for the Bears was standing on the opposite sideline on Sunday (Frank Reich).

Grade: F