Which Chicago Bears were winners in Week 11 vs. Falcons?

The Chicago Bears lost another close game, this week it was to the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 27-24. It was another game that the Chicago Bears could have and probably should have won. While lack of execution late and bad play calling led to the Bears’ loss, there were some key performances that should be noted, especially since this is an evaluation year after all.

The Chicago Bears had some big performances from a couple of key rookies

Week 11 Winner No. 1: Jack Sanborn, linebacker

Once again, it seems that Jack Sanborn might be the best defensive player on this team right now. Yes, it might be a bit rash to say this already, but it is clear that Sanborn has been an impact player over the last three weeks. He is still growing as a player, but there is a lot of potential with the rookie linebacker.

The play everyone is going to think of is the missed tackle by Jack Sanborn on the key third down late in the fourth quarter. While he did make a sloppy tackle attempt, he instantly diagnosed the play and was able to shoot the gap to hit the running back way behind the line of scrimmage. He is going to learn from the play and make sure to tackle lower next time. Still, he put himself in a spot to make the play, even if he did not finish it.

This is a perfect example of what we have seen from Sanborn so far. He has made plays all over the field already, and he is intelligent and aware enough to put himself in a good position to contribute. His development is going to be working on finishing and executing the play to be the complete player. He is undrafted and already showing signs of being a part of the Bears’ future linebacking core. He is outplaying his fellow linebackers and seems to be building on each week.

Keep an eye out for Jack Sanborn for the rest of the season. There is not a lot to root for right now, especially with the defense, but Sanborn is not only a feel-good story but also a real player on this team going forward.