Positional grading breakdown as Nick Foles steps in for the Chicago Bears
It looks like the only way the Chicago Bears can win this season is to make a dramatic comeback in a game. In Week 3, the Bears (3-0) fought back from a 16-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons by the score of 30-26. But of all three of their victories in the early part of this year, this win was probably the most memorable.
Offensively, Chicago managed to accumulate 437 total yards. However, their 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter didn’t come until a surprising quarterback change was made. Chicago’s third-down efficiency (26 percent) was a matter of concern for the majority of the contest, as well as the decline of the production in the running game.
As for the defense, they continued to display their bend-but-don’t-break attitude that gave the team a fighting chance to come away with the win. Big plays were made by both the pass rush and the secondary during crucial points of the game. Unfortunately, that didn’t keep them from shooting themselves in the foot by committing penalties that helped put the Bears in a hole.
With the combination of another win and having a new face at quarterback, the Bears could be at the start of a major turnaround that could further catapult their undefeated start to the 2020 NFL season. Once again, this game wasn’t pretty from start to finish, but it is yet another win that will keep them at the top of the NFC North. Let’s take a look at Chicago’s grades for their Week 3 win over the Dirty Birds.
Quarterbacks
Well, it appears that the leash on Mitchell Trubisky was much shorter than some thought it would be. Even after helping lead the Bears to a 2-0 start on the season, the Bears’ coaching staff felt that it was time to give the 2017 second-overall draft pick the hook after not being able to put together a productive full game.
Trubisky’s last throw was an interception in the third quarter, and he finished by completing 13 of 22 pass attempts for 128 yards. The four-year veteran did put good use to his legs with a 45-yard scramble that set up his only touchdown pass in the second quarter.
As for Nick Foles, he immediately proved why he was offered a $24 million contract. After Trubisky’s interception, Foles moved the ball downfield drive after drive and led Chicago to three consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. The MVP of Super Bowl LII was 16 of 29 for 188 yards, threw three touchdowns, and an interception (which probably should’ve been ruled a touchdown).
Grade: B
Running Backs
Unlike the first two games of the season, Chicago’s running game wasn’t a major part of the offensive game plan. The Bears’ running backs combined for only 20 combined carries on the afternoon. David Montgomery’s 45 rushing yards on 14 carries led the group, while Tarik Cohen gained 21 yards on two carries and 20 yards on three receptions before leaving the game with a torn ACL. Cordarrelle Patterson’s four carries for 13 yards topped off the corps’ contribution.
Grade: C
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Allen Robinson II was the receiving star of the game. Robinson hauled in 10 catches for 123 yards (both game-highs) and a touchdown. He could’ve had two scores had a touchdown not been overturned and ruled an interception.
For the second week in a row, Anthony Miller dropped a surefire touchdown in the end zone. Although he did let one slip from his grasp, Miller did manage to redeem himself with the game-clinching 28-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter. Miller finished the game catching two balls for 41 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.
With Foles at the helm, Jimmy Graham was much more involved. Of the ten balls thrown Graham’s way, seven of those passes were from Foles. Graham caught touchdown passes from both Trubisky and Foles and ended the afternoon with six receptions for 60 yards. Graham also coughed up the ball, but it was recovered by Miller.
Grade: B
Offensive Line
If it wasn’t for Trubisky’s 45-yard scramble, Chicago’s backfield would have rushed for a mere 79 yards. It was mentioned that the running game didn’t get a lot of opportunities, but Atlanta’s defense found themselves making a number of stops in the Bears’ backfield. As for the pass protection, both Trubisky and Foles did feel some pressure in the pocket. The offensive line surrendered two sacks on the afternoon.
After having two very strong weeks to start the season, this was a slight step backward for the Chicago Bears offensive line. This does not mean the unit cannot rebound versus the Colts in Week 4, but honestly they better because the Colts front seven is much better than what the team saw in Atlanta in Week 3. The line must not allow that easy, interior penetration. Nick Foles will need time to operate and David Montgomery and company will need some holes to work with.
Grade: C
Defensive Line
Chicago’s defensive line was a big part of the pressure that was put on Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, but their presence in stopping the run wasn’t as impactful. Falcons running backs Todd Gurley and Brian Hill combined for 138 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Once again, Akiem Hicks was the standout on the Bears’ defensive line. Hicks was credited for four tackles, and was disruptive in the pocket, recording 1.5 sacks. Mario Edwards Jr. did commit a costly roughing-the-passer penalty, which negated a strip-sack and fumble recovery by Chicago. Atlanta would score a touchdown four plays later. Hicks was also charged with the same penalty.
Grade: C+
Linebackers
If it wasn’t for that penalty by Edwards, Khalil Mack’s stat line would have looked a bit better. Although Mack’s strip-sack was wiped out, he did get credited for a half of a sack and five tackles. On the Bears’ first defensive series, Joel Iyiegbuniwe lost containment of Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst and allowed Atlanta’s first touchdown of the game.
The pressure from this unit did pick up though and you could tell it finally started to rattle Matt Ryan a little. Not sure this game ends with a victory had it not been for the consistent pressure up front, including Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Robert Quinn and more. The defense was not great for most of the game, but some singular performances and late-game heroics certainly helped the Bears come away victorious.
Grade: B
Defensive Backs
The Bears’ secondary didn’t have to worry about seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones, but they still managed to let Calvin Ridley run loose. Ridley took the top off of Chicago’s defense and beat Eddie Jackson on Atlanta’s first play from scrimmage for a 63-yard reception.
Ridley finished the contest by gaining 110 receiving yards on five catches against the Bears’ defensive backs. Besides that, the Falcons’ wide receivers weren’t much of a factor. Jackson did finish with a team-high seven tackles, and fellow safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. sealed the victory for Chicago with his first interception in a Bears uniform.
Grade: B
Special Teams
Cairo Santos connected on all three of his extra-point attempts and was good from 35 yards out on the Bears’ second drive of the game. Fortunately for Chicago, Santos’ missed field goal on the Bears’ first drive of the game didn’t come back to haunt them. Pat O’Donnell landed one of his four punts inside the 20-yard line and had an average of 53.8 yards per punt in the afternoon.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out this week. Eddy Pineiro should be eligible for a return this week. Do the Chicago Bears go with the younger, stronger-legged kicker in Pineiro versus the Colts in Week 4, or does the team try to stick things out with Cairo Santos who has had some struggles, but also looked poised and consistent.
Grade: B
Coaching
We could focus on why the play calling was heavy on the passing and not so much on the running. We could also question the decision of going for it on fourth-and-goal at the Falcons’ 17-yard line while trailing 26-10 (which resulted in Miller’s dropped touchdown pass). But why do that when the biggest decision of this game was the deciding factor of the outcome of this game.
Whether if this was talked about before the game, or if it was a sporadic choice, Matt Nagy and his staff made the right move in inserting Foles for Trubisky and didn’t wait until it was too late to do so. This was not only a game-changing move but could possibly be a season-changing move.
Grade: A-