Grading the Chicago Bears: Back-to-back losses to open the season

Just a week after it looked like the culture in the Chicago Bears organization had changed, the team comes out and lays an egg against the Arizona Cardinals.

With Jay Cutler starting off hot and completing his first eight passes of the game, the game took a turn once he left due to an injury. The Bears offense was non-existent and couldn’t capitalize on two big Cardinals turnovers to end the half.

The second half was much of the same as the Bears couldn’t move the ball and couldn’t stop the Cardinals from moving the ball.

Here’s how the Bears graded in their loss:

Quarterback

Cutler started off perfect on his first eight attempts as Adam Gase put the quarterback in situations where he could complete high-percentage passes. Then came the interception and the injury. After that? It wasn’t the same.

Jimmy Clausen came in and went 14 of 23 for 121 yards and an interception.

Grade: D

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Running back

For the second straight week, the Bears core of running backs had another impressive game. Matt Forte got the early workload as Jacquizz Rodgers and rookie Jeremy Langford spelled Forte.

Langford scored his first career touchdown to tie the game.

Grade: B

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Wide receivers/Tight End

The Bears were missing their top threat in Alshon Jeffery, so they needed some receivers to step up. Like last week, it really didn’t happen.

The receivers are still struggling to establish chemistry with Cutler and now if he’s out, they will have to develop it with Clausen. This core is in trouble.

Tight end Martellus Bennett was targeted six times and made four receptions for 48 yards.

Grade: D

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Offensive line

When you have problems on your offensive line, your team is likely to struggle. That’s exactly what is happening with the Bears thus far in two games.

The line continues to be bad, allowing the Cardinals to get pressure on both quarterbacks in the game. They gave up two sacks and couldn’t hold protection on passes. We can’t forget the holding and false start penalties either.

Grade: D-

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Defensive line

While improvements on the line have been slowly developing, they can’t finish a sack on a play and it’s hurting them. Through two games, the Bears haven’t registered a sack and have allowed Aaron Rodgers and Carson palmer to sit back there and pick apart the defense.

Grade: D –

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Linebackers

If it wasn’t for Pernell McPhee’s play and Jared Allen’s interception, this grade would be an F.

Shea McClellin still looks completely lost out there, Christian Jones was nowhere to be found and even Allen struggled (again). It’s becoming increasingly frustrating that the unit hasn’t played close to good in two games.

Grade: D –

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Secondary

The Bears secondary is another unit that has had an overall poor performance. Carson Palmer picked apart the secondary giving up a few big plays. Larry Fitzgerald also recorded his first three touchdown game of his career.

The Bears also committed a few big pass interference penalties that setup the Cardinals deep in Chicago’s territory. Second year cornerback Kyle Fuller had his second-straight bad game as well.

Grade: F

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Special Teams

After a pretty good week vs. the Packers, the Bears special teams was pretty bad in week two right from the start. The Bears gave up a touchdown on the opening kickoff to David Brown and coverage broke down a few times in the game.

Robbie Gould saved the grade from failing by converting on all three of his field goals.

Grade: D

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Overall

There’s really no other word to describe Sunday’s performance other than “disaster” as the Bears were embarrassed in front of their home crowd. The 48 points the Bears gave up set a new record for most points allowed at Solider Field by the team.

The schedule doesn’t get much easier either. The Bears will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks in the home opener.

Grade: F

 

 

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