Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots: Full Report Card Grades for New England
For most of the first seven weeks, skepticism has emerged about the New England Patriots' viability as Super Bowl contenders. But after an eye-opening 51-23 win over the Chicago Bears, in which the Pats controlled every facet of the game for 60 minutes, those doubts are beginning to appear increasingly unfounded.
With its best starting five along the offensive line back intact, the Patriots offense started strong, mauling the Bears en route to an easy five-yard touchdown drive and a season-long 17-play field-goal drive to start the game. New England held the ball for essentially the entire first quarter, as the physical secondary held Jay Cutler to just six passing yards to stymie any offensive rhythm for the Bears.
The Pats continued that pattern into the second quarter, capping off a 10-play drive with a one-yard Tim Wright touchdown. New England's tight ends looked like a poor matchup for Chicago's battered back seven on paper, and Tom Brady was able to exploit the Bears down the seams the entire afternoon.
An onslaught to end the half really blew the game open, as the Pats recorded two offensive touchdowns to Rob Gronkowski and Brandon LaFell, while Rob Ninkovich recovered a bizarre Cutler fumble and returned it for New England's first defensive touchdown of the season. New England took a 38-7 lead into the intermission, a lead that resulted from their best all-around half of the season
Defensively, the Patriots were able to stifle Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery on the perimeter with their physical press coverage. This is exactly the type of defensive game plan the Pats envisioned when inking Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner this offseason, and although the pass rush was inconsistent, this coverage can give nearly any offense significant issues.
The Pats essentially shut things down in the second half, running out the clock and allowing a couple of junk-time touchdowns to the Bears' first-stringers. In a season where few things have come easily, it was a refreshing change to see New England on cruise control for the final 30 minutes.
Read on for full analysis of the Patriots' most lopsided win of the season, which moved the team to an AFC East-leading 6-2.
Quarterback
1 of 10
"Tom Brady has 13 touchdowns and 0 interceptions since everyone in the media pissed him off four weeks ago.
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) October 26, 2014"
This game was eerily reminiscent of Tom Brady's record-setting domination of the Jacksonville Jaguars back in the 2007 postseason. No. 12 continued to make a mockery of the early-season convictions about his demise, going a remarkable 30-of-35 for 354 yards and five touchdowns.
In the first half, two of three Brady incompletions were drops, illustrating his pinpoint accuracy, which has returned as the timing with his receivers has improved. Brady also generally had a clean pocket to work with, though his best throw of the day may have been a dart to Gronkowski in the red zone on 3rd-and-18 to set up a first-half touchdown.
New England is opening up its offensive playbook now, utilizing more tempo variations and attacking the field with both horizontal and vertical stretch-route concepts. While the Pats offense will always favor quick-strike three-step concepts with Brady under center, they have burned the Bears and Buffalo Bills in recent weeks with deep perimeter concepts.
Jimmy Garoppolo got some run as well at the end of the blowout, finishing with 22 yards, while completing all three of his attempts. Garoppolo took a big sack in trying to scramble away from Lamarr Houston, though it is difficult to take away much from such a limited sample size.
When Brady operates at this level, the Patriots are virtually unbeatable. As New England faces a gauntlet of prolific offenses, Brady must sustain his stellar month-long form to keep the Pats' winning streak intact.
Grade: A+
Running Back
2 of 10
It is becoming increasingly clear that the Jonas Gray-Shane Vereen tandem will hold up fine in Stevan Ridley's absence. While both received plenty of help from the offensive line's superb blocking, both demonstrated the contrasting qualities that will make them difficult to game plan for moving forward.
Gray continued to receive the early-down carries, ending the day with 86 yards on 17 carries, good for a 5.1 yards-per-attempt average. In an increased role from last week, the third-year back showed the same physical finish and low pad level that makes him a reliable bruising option.
Gray does not possess great speed, but on zone runs, he seems to have nice vision to press the hole and find the right lane. In this scheme, his running style and ball security are both important assets that should keep him as a steady option moving forward.
Meanwhile, Vereen gave Chicago's depleted linebacking corps fits. New England was able to exploit some anxious lack-of-containment discipline on shotgun draws, and Vereen compiled 45 yards on just eight total touches. Using Vereen in a plus-split alignment as a far outside receiver continues to present significant difficulties, as opposing defenses are having difficulties dealing with his speed on quick-breaking rub routes.
James White also saw some carries at the end of the game, finishing with 17 yards on six carries. Like Brandon Bolden before him, White may be mixed in for a handful of snaps as the No. 3 back.
If there is one qualm with this unit, it is that the Pats had three separate drives where they were unable to run the ball into the end zone from inside the 5-yard line. That was not an issue Sunday, given Chicago's inability to match up with New England's size, but running the ball in that constricted area remains the easiest route to the end zone. This is an area the Pats would do well to shore up.
Grade: B+
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
The Bears' battered back seven hardly presents the stiffest test, but despite that, it is clear New England's receivers have taken significant steps forward in diversifying this season's passing game. Between Gronkowski's return to full speed and LaFell's size on the perimeter, defenses can no longer shrink the field and assume they can stymie Brady's rhythm.
The two combined for a monster effort, accruing 273 yards, 20 catches and four touchdowns. LaFell set a career high with 11 catches, most on the team. Brady was able to find both consistently off play action, which worked beautifully in drawing in Chicago's green linebackers.
The Bears made some curious personnel decisions, such as covering Gronk one-on-one with strong safety Ryan Mundy and turning to undrafted rookie Al Louis-Jean instead of Sherrick McManis, but it is clear that both would have excelled against nearly any coverage.
Gronkowski's three-touchdown effort was a particularly crucial development, as it signaled his return to full speed in terms of route tree and blocking usage. The Pats are still picking their spots to give him select amounts of rest, but that is simply prudent management that figures to stay consistent the entire season.
After Gronk left the game in the second half due to dehydration, Tim Wright received an extended opportunity to shine in the offense. Wright ended with seven receptions for 61 yards, as the Pats frequently targeted him on play-action rollouts in the flat. He also had his second one-yard touchdown in three weeks, illustrating his value as complementary red-zone target to Gronkowski.
Julian Edelman had his quietest game of the year, posting just 14 yards on a single catch. Edelman is developing a concerning case of the dropsies, as he has now dropped four passes over the past two games. It has not harmed the New England offense too significantly, but it is something to watch nonetheless.
Apart from that, it is hard to find anything to complain about. Once again, the Patriots are proving that their passing game remains among the league's elite units with a healthy Gronkowski.
Grade: A
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
With its best starting five back intact, the offensive line played its cleanest game of the season, consistently dominating the Bears at the point of attack to create clean pockets for Brady and lanes for the running backs. At this point, it is clear that the veteran tandem of Ryan Wendell and Dan Connolly has stabilized the guard position that was so problematic over the first month.
If there is one downgrade, it is Bryan Stork, who struggled in his return to the lineup. The rookie center committed three penalties, including two false starts in the red zone, while also botching a center-quarterback snap exchange that nearly resulted in a turnover. Rust is a reasonable explanation for Stork's struggles, but he is a player to keep an eye on moving forward.
Nonetheless, the O-line played as important a role as any unit in Sunday's offensive explosion. Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer were terrific in sealing the edges against Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young, as Brady was not sacked for the first time since Week 4 of the 2013 season.
This unit's turnaround has been dramatic, especially considering the injuries that wreaked havoc over the past two games. Although this starting five will receive a much tougher test against Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Terrance Knighton next week, their recent form has suggested that they are capable of meeting that challenge.
Grade: A
Defensive Line
5 of 10
This unit received plenty of concern following news of Chandler Jones' potential season-ending injury, and at least for one week, it answered the challenge.
Chicago tested New England early, running the ball on its first five plays, but the edge containment and gap fills were much more consistent than they had been against the New York Jets last week. The Bears did compile 153 rushing yards on a gaudy-looking 5.9 yards per attempt, but much of that came after the game's outcome had been sealed.
Rob Ninkovich was this unit's star, elevating his game with Jones absent. Ninkovich had a hit, tackle for loss and multiple pressures, but his biggest play was the fumble recovery at the end of the first half that blew open the game. Already an every-down workhorse, Jones' absence makes Ninkovich one of New England's most indispensable defenders the rest of the season.
Rookies Dominique Easley and Zach Moore rotated in at Jones' right defensive end slot, as the Pats shifted to a more pure 4-3 base.
Easley was particularly impressive in the first quarter, setting the edge consistently and drawing a holding penalty on Martellus Bennett that ended the Bears' first drive. Both posted big plays; Easley had his first career sack in the fourth quarter, while Moore stripped Cutler on the aforementioned Ninkovich scoop-and-score.
This unit is unlikely to post excellent pass-rushing numbers, as most of New England's pressure figures to arrive from the second level. Still, if it can control the line and stymie the running game as well as it did Sunday, it will still be a net positive overall.
Grade: B
Linebacker
6 of 10
Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins continued life as three-down linebackers, providing reliably versatile play in helping stifle any underneath passing rhythm for the Bears. Both demonstrated impressive diagnostic skills, as Chicago's vaunted screen game with Forte yielded nothing meaningful on the afternoon.
Hightower was not utilized as an edge-rusher in the 4-3, but he did execute some well-timed interior-gap blitzes. His A-gap pressure was what forced Cutler to step up and fumble at the end of the first half, as Hightower continues to excel as a situational blitzer. In a game where the Pats go with lighter dime fronts (like next week, for instance), Hightower may yet see some edge-rushing opportunities.
Collins had a mixed day, as his struggles in coverage continued. On Forte's 18-yard second-quarter touchdown reception, Collins exhibited poor reactionary athleticism, failing to turn his hips quick enough to keep Forte from creating separation on an improvised wheel route. Nevertheless, the second-year linebacker was much more assertive in run support, leading the team with 11 combined and six solo tackles.
New acquisition Akeem Ayers also saw some runs toward the end of the game, notching a couple of pressures in the second half.
Ayers was mostly a special teams contributor, but in utilizing him as a 4-3 outside linebacker, the Pats illustrated their plans for him as a sub-package contributor. With the bye coming up in Week 10, Ayers will soon have ample time to grasp to playbook and carve out a more defined role on the defense.
Deontae Skinner also led the huddle at the end of the game, a nice practice run for the undrafted rookie. Skinner remains a situational run-stuffer at this point, but it is clear the Patriots appreciate his intelligence and downhill physicality.
Grade: B
Secondary
7 of 10
This is the type of game the Patriots envisioned when inking Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner this offseason. While Chicago's skyscraper wideout tandem of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery padded their stats in junk time, the two were largely irrelevant with the game on the line.
Indeed, Chicago's inability to generate any downfield passing was arguably its primary downfall in this game, as it allowed New England's offense to control the clock the entire first half.
Revis was particularly impressive in shadowing Marshall the majority of the afternoon, holding his old rival to a meager 35 yards on three receptions. TV cameras showed Revis jawing at Marshall on multiple instances, as No. 24 was clearly enjoying himself in compiling an interception and two pass deflections.
Browner was more up-and-down, which figures to represent his modus operandi the rest of the season.
Matched up against big tight end Martellus Bennett at times, Browner had a pass deflection and some physical third-down stops, but he also had two penalties on downfield throws, one of which nullified a Devin McCourty interception. Browner was an asset overall, but even at his best, there will still be some consequences for his relentlessly physical style.
Elsewhere, McCourty and Patrick Chung continued to provide nice complementary play in the secondary. Slot corners Kyle Arrington and Logan Ryan were not particularly active, as the Bears often went with two-receiver sets, while rookie Malcolm Butler struggled in junk time. Still, Revis and Browner executed their assignments as well as one could reasonably expect, playing central roles in the victory.
Grade: A-
Special Teams
8 of 10
Danny Amendola was initially on the punt return, but Julian Edelman returned later for a single return. His one opportunity went for a season-long 42 yards, setting up the Patriots with 1st-and-goal at the end of the first half. Amendola did not have a kick-return opportunity, as all of Chicago's kickoffs went for touchbacks.
The kick-coverage teams were stellar in facing a larger-than-normal volume of returns. Bears returner Chris Williams returned five kickoffs, but he netted just an average of 18.8 yards per return, consistently placing Chicago's struggling offense behind the eight ball. This unit received a bit of a scare when captain Matthew Slater ostensibly hurt his shoulder, but he returned without so much as an injury announcement.
In the kicking game, Stephen Gostkowski hit three chip-shot field goals, while Ryan Allen had a 36-yard net in his one punting opportunity. With the Patriots offense humming as efficiently as it did on Sunday, special teams did not play as significant a role in establishing field position and creating momentum.
Grade: A-
Coaching
9 of 10
Perhaps it was the 10-day rest, but the Patriots were clearly more energized than in their sluggish Week 7 win. Still, the coaching staff deserves some credit for the players' palpable energy and enthusiasm, as the Patriots were simply on a different wavelength than the Bears the entire afternoon.
Josh McDaniels had his best play-calling game of the season, as he mixed in runs and play action well to keep the Bears off balance. Chicago never had adjustments for the top New England staples—Brandon LaFell comebacks and slants, Rob Gronkowski seams, Shane Vereen draws, etc.—as McDaniels was able to exploit Chicago's lack of size in the secondary and its inexperience at linebacker.
Defensively, Bill Belichick made an important adjustment in switching from a 3-4 base to a 4-3 over system. While not a radically different scheme, this will free the defensive line to adapt a more penetrating role, while also asking less from the linebackers in terms of read-and-react filling responsibilities. There were also some well-timed linebacker blitzes, as the Pats had a nice bead on Cutler's snap count.
The coaching staff was not really stretched because of the Bears' implosion, but it is clear their game plan hit on all cylinders. With a few especially challenging matchups upcoming, it helps that the New England coaching staff is growing increasingly in rhythm with its personnel.
Grade: A
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Position Unit | Final Grade |
| QB | A+ |
| RB | B+ |
| WR/TE | A |
| OL | A |
| DL | B |
| LB | B |
| DB | A- |
| ST | A- |
| Coaching | A |
| Cumulative Grade | A |
With three strong offensive performances in the past four weeks, the questions surrounding Tom Brady's unit should begin to dissipate. So long as Gronkowski remains healthy, the Patriots clearly possess a Super Bowl-caliber offense, one capable of keeping pace with the elite attacks they will face over the next five games.
The defense, while battered, holds an ace in the hole with its secondary. As Sunday's contest showed, even when the Patriots fail to generate a consistent pass rush, exemplary coverage can mask plenty of deficiencies. It's a dangerous way to play against teams that run man coverage-beating concepts well, but there are few passing games capable of consistently exploiting New England's secondary personnel.
Ultimately, the Pats are peaking as they reach the teeth of their schedule. While that does not guarantee wins over the difficult stretch, the past month of wins suggests that the Patriots are capable of meeting this season-defining challenge.
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