Report Card: Grading the Bears' MNF win over the Patriots
The Chicago Bears (3-4) picked an opportune time to play its most complete game of the season, downing the New England Patriots (3-4) by the score of 33-14 on Monday Night Football. Chicago dominated New England in every phase, making this report card one that belongs on head coach Matt Eberflus’ refrigerator. Coaching: A Going […]
The Chicago Bears (3-4) picked an opportune time to play its most complete game of the season, downing the New England Patriots (3-4) by the score of 33-14 on Monday Night Football.
Chicago dominated New England in every phase, making this report card one that belongs on head coach Matt Eberflus’ refrigerator.
Coaching: A
Going toe-to-toe with the best head coach in the history of the NFL, Eberflus and his staff put together a flawless game plan for this road test. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy called his best game of the season, drawing up designed runs for QB Justin Fields and getting both running backs involved.
Though Patriots QB Mac Jones was rumored to start all week, Eberflus and his defensive staff put together an effective plan which, not only chased Jones from the game in the second quarter, but made Bailey Zappe uncomfortable all night long.
Getsy's frustrating surrender run calls on third-and-long stand in the way of an otherwise perfect performance.
Offense: A
The Bears achieved season highs in total yards (390) and rushing yards (243) in the win. The offense converted on 11-of-18 third down tries (61.1%), which also marks a season best. The team’s 33 points are the most the Bears have scored with Fields under center.
Fields was more efficient than his stat line leads one to believe at 13/21 for 179 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He added 82 yards and a score on 14 rushing attempts.
Running backs David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert were rotated effectively, combining for 124 yards on 27 carries (4.5 YPA). Getsy did a magnificent job in putting each his backs in a position that caters to their unique strengths.
Fields went into New England and bucked a Bill Belichick trend with a win, moving Belichick’s record against rookie and second-year quarterbacks in Foxborough to a ho-hum 42-4 since 2003.
Defense: A+
The Bears’ defense created four turnovers, marking yet another season high. Roquan Smith, Jaquan Brisker, and Kyler Gordon each hauled in an interception, and Justin Jones recovered a fumble.
Neither New England quarterback was able to find any sort of rhythm outside of Zappe’s first drive which resulted in a touchdown. The Patriots’ rushing attack was held to just 70 yards with the Bears defensive front getting the best of New England in the trenches.
Special Teams: A
Cairo Santos went four-for-four on field goal attempts, doing so on a wet playing surface in Gillette Stadium. Santos connected from 50, 42, 38, and 23, ensuring the Bears’ efforts on offense did not go to waste.
Punter Trenton Gill was only utilized twice, but he managed to put one inside the 20-yard-line. Dante Pettis returned three punts for 33 yards, including a 27-yard return that set the Bears up inside Patriots territory. The Bears later cashed Pettis' return in for seven points to go up 33-14.
This is a win that should make Bears fans optimistic about the team’s future. Growing pains are to be expected with a new coaching staff and a 23-year-old quarterback leading the charge.
Confidence is critical for a team comprised of young talent like the Bears are. Chicago will look to build off this momentum as they go back on the road to face the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8.
Featured image via Paul Rutherford – USA TODAY Sports
