Making the grade: Assessing Bears' players, coaches in victory over Jaguars
QUARTERBACK (A)
Caleb Williams (23 of 29, 236 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, 124.4 passer rating) didn’t flinch when the Bears opened the game with two three-outs for seven total yards. And his biggest mistake — a poorly thrown ball that turned a big-gainer to DJ Moore into an interception — only heightened his focus. The Bears drove for touchdowns on their next four drives — 31 plays, 217 yards — with pinpoint passes to Keenan Allen for two of the scores.
Williams also was an effective scrambler, with four carries for 56 yards, including a 23-yard run.
OFFENSIVE LINE (A)
With Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Coleman Shelton, Matt Pryor and Darnell Wright starting for the second consecutive game, the o-line had its best game of the season, and even though the degree-of-difficulty was lower against a weaker Jaguars defensive line, progress is progress.
The Bears had 29 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown. Williams was sacked three times, but for only five yards. There were few if any noticeable breakdowns and Williams was given enough time on several occasions to survey the field and find open running room.
RECEIVERS (A)
Running back Roschon Johnson (two receptions, 25 yards) got it started, breaking a tackle after a short pass for a 17-yard gain to convert a third-and-six at the Jaguars 48. On the next play, tight end Cole Kmet (5-70, two touchdowns) was wide open on a well-designed play, then broke a tackle at the 31-yard touchdown catch, and before long everyone was contributing. Four others had two or more receptions: Keenan Allen (5-41, two touchdowns), Rome Odunze (2-40), DJ Moore (4-20) and running back D’Andre Swift (4-28).
SECONDARY (A)
The Bears showed off their depth. Safety Elijah Hicks, starting for injured Jaquan Brisker, made an early impact with a pass break-up in the end zone that forced the Jaguars to settle for a field goal. He also had a fumble recovery. Jaylon Jones had a team-high 10 tackles. And Josh Blackwell, replacing an injured Kyler Gordon in the third quarter, had an interception to help clinch it.
COACHING (A)
This could have been a tricky game against a team that is more familiar with the difficulty of the London travel and game. But the Bears were convincing winners on both sides of the ball. From Shane Waldron’s game plan, to Matt Eberflus’ defense thriving with two and three starters out.