The Bears led the Buffalo Payments 10-6 on frigid Soldier Subject, however have been finally undone by accidents, questionable play calls and an absence of expertise in key positions.
Quarterback Justin Fields was held again by the Payments’ protection and Buffalo left chilly Chicago with a 35-13 win.
The Bears’ offense lacked punch, and the protection was damage on the bottom by the Payments’ inconsistent dashing offense all season.
That is the Christmas report card the Bears don’t need of their fridge.
passing offense
The Bears’ air raid was marginally profitable in opposition to the Payments on Saturday.
With beginning guards Cody Whitehair and Teben Jenkins out by way of harm, the Bears’ offensive line struggled in opposition to Payments defensive deal with Ed Oliver and the Payments’ entrance 4.
The sector and passing recreation was crisp on the opening drive, because the second-year quarterback hit a wide-open Dante Pettis for a 6-yard landing after a 20-yard achieve by Byron Pringle. .
These are the one fireworks of the Bears’ passing assault. With Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney and Equianimus St. Brown out, the Bears lacked the playmakers wanted to emphasize the Payments vertically.
A 44-yard catch by Bellas Jones Jr. was the one spotlight after the Bears’ opening drive.
Grade: D+
rush offense
Floor video games, that are often led by Fields, have been comparatively quiet on Saturday.
The Payments made a concerted effort to stress off the sting to pressure Fields to surrender the ball on a lead play. Buffalo did an excellent job preserving Fields in his pocket so he could not exit and use his elite athleticism to create game-changing performs.
David Montgomery led the Bears with 62 yards (3.9 yards per carry) on 16 makes an attempt. Khalil Herbert seemed rusty as he rushed again for simply seven yards on six carries.
With 2/5 on the offensive line, the Bears struggled to achieve constant traction in run video games.
Grade: D.
cross protection
The Bears began three rookie cornerbacks on Saturday. On paper, it seemed just like the matchup Payments quarterback Josh Allen and huge receiver Stephon Diggs ought to make the most of.
The Bears’ rookie trio had different plans.
Kyler Gordon, Jaron Jones and Josh Blackwell have all been acquitted for his or her vaunted Payments Passing Assault.
Allen accomplished solely 15 of 26 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He additionally threw two interceptions. Gordon held up effectively because the Bears’ first nook and Jaron Johnson completed the season. A second-round decide helped hold Diggs to simply two catches for 26 yards.
No Payments receiver has gone previous 50 yards.
A great day in cross protection was overshadowed by a terrifying effort to cease a run.
Grade: B.
run protection
Nothing was irreparable within the Bears’ run protection in opposition to the Payments on Saturday.
The entrance 4 had little affect and the linebackers have been nowhere to be seen. The secondary took a very brutal angle when making an attempt to trace down James Prepare dinner and Devin Singletary.
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outcome?
The Payments rushed for 254 yards (8.2 yards on one try), together with landing runs of 33 and 27 yards.
The Bears have struggled to cease runs all season, however Saturday could have been their worst effort but.
Grade: F
particular group
Richard Hightower’s unit performed some fairly good soccer within the tough climate on Saturday.
Jones gained 113 kickoff return yards, Cairo Santos went 2-for-2 on subject targets with a PAT, and Trenton Gill averaged 49.3 yards per punt, going 1 of 4 inside 20 yards.
A strong Christmas Eve for particular groups.
Grade: B.
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