What a Thanksgiving it was for Chicago Bears fans.
Not only did the Bears defeat the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field to keep their playoff hopes alive, they also spoiled Brett Favre’s jersey retirement as well. Now the win has the Bears thinking playoffs at 5-6 and just a game and half out of the sixth seed.
The Bears struggled early, but adjusted and found their way. In the end, it left a lot of Packers fans with a spoiled Thanksgiving and Bears fans enjoyed it.
Here’s how the Bears graded during their win:
Quarterback
Well Jay Cutler finally got that win in Lambeau Field. After early struggles, Cutler and the offense executed on the adjustments and played good enough to win. He also didn’t turn the ball over.
Grade: A
Running back
Matt Forte returned from a three game absence with a MCL injury and played on 37 snaps. Backup Jeremy Langford continued to get some quality playing time as well. Both performed well, but weren’t outstanding even with Langford’s touchdown.
Grade: C+
Wide receiver/Tight End
Chicago finally got Alshon Jeffery back after he missed the Broncos game and it made a difference. Jeffery hauled in seven receptions for 90 yards. Marquess Wilson also had a solid day for the Bears providing some help alongside Jeffery.
With Martellus Bennett out, Zach Miller became the primary tight end but wasn’t a big factor overall.
Grade: C+
Offensive line
Despite a few holding penalties and false starts, the Bears offensive line played very well against an aggressive Packers defense.
Grade: B
Defensive line
In the trenches, the Bears defensive line won the battle against the Packers offensive line and it was pretty obvious. They got pressure on Rodgers and forced him out of the pocket several times. This unit is starting to come together even with injuries.
Grade: B+
Linebackers
I don’t think I can say enough about the Bears linebackers on Thursday. Minus the big screen play that resulted in an Eddie Lacy touchdown, the Bears linebackers were really good against the Packers. They made key plays when needed and even got to Rodgers on the blitz a few times.
Grade: B+
Secondary
Let’s start by saying Tracy Porter had one of the best games I’ve seen from a Bears defensive back in years. Porter had an interception (should have had another) and played Packers receivers tough all game. James Jones was held in check this game which was huge. Both Bryce Callahan and Kyle Fuller were also solid in pass coverage.
The safety play was really good as well. Rookie Adrian Amos continues to impress and looks like he could be the safety of the future for the Bears.
#Bears CB Tracy Porter was thrown at 11 times last night, gave up just 2 completions. Aaron Rodgers had a 1.7 QB rating throwing at Porter.
— Jeremy Stoltz (@WJeremyStoltz) November 27, 2015
Grade: A
Special Teams
It wasn’t a terrible performance, but it wasn’t a good one either. The Bears still had a few special teams penalties and punter Patrick O’Donnell wasn’t great on Thursday. Still Robbie Gould was solid again and the unit gets a passing grade.
Grade: C –
Coaching
For the majority of the first quarter it looked like Chicago’s offense wouldn’t be able to move the ball at all against the Packers. But Adam Gase adjusted and the Bears offense moved the ball against the Packers pretty efficiently.
Then there was Vic Fangio who put the Bears defense in positions to succeed and they did just that by holding off Rodgers and the Packers at the end.
Grade: A
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