Making the grade: Assessing Bears players, coaches in victory against Panthers
QUARTERBACK — A
Caleb Williams was productive and efficient in the best performance of his rookie season to date. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 304 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a 126.2 passer rating. He added 34 yards on five carries, scrambling for two first downs on the touchdown drive that gave the Bears a 14-7 lead. He had a couple of miscommunications, but those were not costly against a subpar — and short-handed — Panthers defense.
OFFENSIVE LINE — B
It didn’t look good when left guard Teven Jenkins, who was playing with bruised ribs, left in the second quarter with an ankle injury, but that was not costly against a subpar — and short-handed — Panthers defense. In fact, with Bill Murray replacing Jenkins, the line gave Williams ample time on several occasions.
With Doug Kramer being used as an extra blocker, the Bears rushed for three touchdowns. But D’Andre Swift (21 carries, 73 yards, one touchdown) and Roschon Johnson (10, 25, two) were held to a combined 31 carries for 98 yards (3.2-yard average). Matt Pryor was called for a false start and an ineligible man downfield, but penalties were not an issue.
SHANE WALDRON — B
The Bears’ offensive coordinator had an effective game plan that used the running game (31 running-back carries) even when it wasn’t particularly effective. That helped open things up in the passing game, as the Bears had more open and wide-open receivers in this game than in any other game under Waldron.
The offense opened with a three-and-out but never had another one in gaining 424 yards on 69 plays (6.1 yards per play) and scoring 30 points against a subpar — and short-handed — Panthers’ defense. After the Bears fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the offense responded with four touchdowns on its next five possessions.
DEFENSIVE LINE — A
Second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter continues to get better with every game. Dexter had a sack for the fourth time in the first five games and four quarterback hits overall, and he recovered a fumble for a key takeaway. Andrew Billings had a sack, and DeMarcus Walker shared one with cornerback Kyler Gordon.
SECONDARY — A
Safety Jaquan Brisker’s forced fumble on a big hit was a big play with the Bears leading 14-7 in the second quarter. Safety Kevin Byard had an interception and a tackle for loss. Gordon shared a sack and recovered a fumble. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson broke up two passes.