It was bound to happen at some point in the season.
The Chicago Bears were bound to lose a game this season but many people didn’t expect it to be this bad when it happened. Or this bad to a team like the Detroit Lions.
Give the Lions credit though. They aren’t a pushover in the NFC this season and have the potential to be a a good team.
This game was bad all-around for the Bears who look to rebound with a tough match-up against the New Orleans Saints.
Here are how the Bears graded during Sunday’s loss at Detroit.
Quarterback
We got another look at the “Bad” Jay Cutler on Sunday, yet the Bears were still a touchdown and a two-point conversion away from tying the game late.
Cutler threw three interceptions and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. That marked his total of the past three games combined for turnovers.
Cutler did finish with two touchdown passes, both late in the game.
On two interceptions, Cutler looked really bad. The Bears can only hope that they see more of the “Good” Cutler rather than the “Bad” Cutler as the season moves forward.
Grade: D
Running Backs
Matt Forte continued to take on his work horse role in the Bears offense. He had a 53-yard touchdown run that was sprung by excellent blocks from Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall.
Forte was a factor in both the run and passing game as the Bears continue to try and get him as involved as possible in Trestman’s offense.
Michael Bush didn’t receive any carries which marks another game he has been non-existent in the Bears rushing attack.
Grade: B
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Another bright spot in the Bears offense this week came from wide receiver Alshon Jeffery who finished with his first ever 100+ receiving yard game. Jeffery had a few nice grabs in the game including his 14-yard touchdown in the fourth-quarter.
If the Bears can get production like this from Jeffery often it could open up the offense and give opposing defenses other players to worry about.
Martellus Bennett had another solid game with eight receptions for 90 yards. The Bears used different packages featuring Evan Britton to relieve some of the pain on Bennett’s shoulder.
With seven receptions for 79 yards, it was a rather quiet day for number one receiver Brandon Marshall. Earl Bennett had another touchdown giving him back-to-back games where he has a touchdown reception.
Grade: B
Offensive Line
The Bears offensive line was going up against a fierce Lions pass rush who made it difficult on Cutler all game. They gave up two sacks to Ndamukong Suh, one was a back breaker where Cutler fumbled.
Though the Bears offensive line never really broke down, they did play a relatively good game.
Eyes will be on them again this week as they look to keep Cutler clean in the pocket against a good Saints defense.
Grade: C+
Defensive Line
The Bears struggles on the defensive line continue and it looks like it will be a problem moving forward.
The defensive line recorded just one sack, by Julius Peppers, and couldn’t establish a pass rush on Matt Stafford. Stop me if you’ve heard that one before.
The loss of Henry Melton certainly showed for the Bears on Sunday as Lions running back Reggie Bush tore up the Bears defense and found holes in that defensive line.
Grade: D+
Linebackers
This was as bad as the Bears linebackers have looked all season. They had no answer for the Lions short passing attack and running back Reggie Bush.
Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew hauled in seven passes for 54 yards and was matched up often with the Bears linebackers.
If this defense want’s to be better, the linebackers will have to be better.
Grade: C-
Secondary
The Bears secondary held Calvin Johnson in check for most of the game and did their job. Other parts of the game it didn’t look good at all for the Bears.
While Major Wright did have an interception that give the Bears a glimmer of hope, his counter-part Chris Conte looked bad. Conte was blown by a few times by Reggie Bush. His play must improve or the Bears might have to look elsewhere.
The secondary missed a few big tackles but over all played a pretty decent game.
Grade: C-
Special Teams
The special teams unit is usually a bright spot for the Bears. Sunday that wasn’t the case however.
The Bears allowed a 57-yard punt return that gave the Lions great field position and became the beginning of a major turning point in the game.
Adam Podlesh had a bad game punting wise, landing just one punt inside the Lions own 20 yard line. Podlesh has struggled so far this season and could become an area of concern for the Bears moving forward.
Grade: D
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