2020 Week 10: Chicago Bears 13, Minnesota Vikings 19

One more shot.

Player Grades

The grading scale goes from -3 to +3 for each play. Screens are graded as runs. Penalties are counted in whatever phase they were committed. Pre- and post-snap penalties are in the “Misc.” column. “Short” throws are 10 yards or less, “Medium” is 10-20, “Deep” is over 20. Everything else (scrambles, throwaways, reads, etc.) is under “Miscellaneous.” Parentheses in a column denote grades/snaps from the opposite side of the ball and are not included in grades/snaps from the player’s usual side. Snap counts are from Pro Football Reference. Box score and other relevant info can be found at that link as well.

So…

Yep.

Was there, like, anything to feel good about here?

Definitely. For the second straight week, the Bears’ defense shut down one of the top running backs in the league. Once again, leading the charge on that front was Roquan Smith. Watching his college tape prior to the 2018 draft, I thought he looked a lot like Derrick Brooks. Watching him his first two years in the league, I thought he was on the path to becoming Derrick Brooks. That’s here now. He is the second coming of Derrick Brooks.

Also, Brent Urban had an awesome game. Another one would be appreciated Sunday night since the Bears may be without Akiem Hicks (more on that later). One thing you have to give Ryan Pace credit for – his ability to find D-lineman has been incredible.

And on offense?

An abject disaster. Bill Lazor’s play calling was actually okay early on, but once the Bears got past the scripted portion of the game, it was an even bigger mess than it was under Nagy. Multiple plays featured nobody running a route within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage despite the offensive line’s inability to give Foles time to let deep routes set up. Whitehair blew multiple line calls, reflected in his Misc. column. Ideally, he’ll be at guard next year, whether that means giving Daniels another shot at C or giving Mustipher a chance or drafting someone.

Monsters

Roquan, Urban, BoJack, Mack, Mingo, Patterson for the kick return

Chipmunks

Foles, Anthony Miller, Coward, Ifedi

Four Stars of the Game

Roquan Smith

  Brent Urban

  Khalil Mack

Cordarrelle Patterson, Eddie Jackson, Barkevious Mingo, Akiem Hicks (All men get one star because I feel bad for them having to carry that lead weight of an offense.)

Twitter: @KSchroeder_312