Dallas Cowboys vs. Chicago Bears: Full Report Card Grades for Chicago
A week after struggling on offense in a loss to the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, the Chicago Bears were unable to get into a rhythm offensively until the fourth quarter in their 41-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.
After picking up 100 yards through the air with Jay Cutler and five yards on the ground with Matt Forte in the first half, the Bears trailed the Cowboys 14-7 at halftime. A series of miscues and bad plays led to the Cowboys jumping out to a 35-7 lead before the Bears were able to muster up some offense late in the second half. The Cowboys came away with the victory, but Chicago managed to put up 376 yards of total offense.
Despite Chicago's fourth-quarter efforts, Dallas' DeMarco Murray was simply too much for the defense to handle. He finished the game with 179 yards on 32 carries with one touchdown.
With the loss on Thursday night, Chicago's slim playoff hopes were all but dashed.
"You just want to be in it at the end (of the season)," Cutler said after the game, via ESPN.com. "Unfortunately throughout the year we've done some things to not give ourselves a chance, and we're upset about that."
Regardless of the final score, head coach Marc Trestman did not think his team gave up on Thursday night.
"This team competes hard every day to get better, and it competes hard in the football game," Trestman said, via ESPN.com. "That would be totally disrespecting our football team to think they're not going out and competing as hard as they can."
When asked about his job security following his team's eighth loss of the season, Trestman avoided the question, via Adam Hoge of TheGameChicago.com:
"Here is Marc Trestman’s response when asked if he is concerned about his job security: pic.twitter.com/tAnTTR96Ig
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 5, 2014"
The Bears will now focus their attention on the New Orleans Saints. The two teams are set to square off at Soldier Field on December 15 on Monday Night Football.
Here are our grades for each Bears unit following the Week 14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Quarterback
1 of 10
After racking up just 100 yards passing on 10 completions in the first half, Jay Cutler exploded in the second half and finished with 341 yards passing on 32 completions.
In addition to the big yardage, he finished the game with two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, one interception and a 96.4 quarterback rating. Despite the big numbers, Cutler will likely be remembered for throwing a costly interception near the end of the game.
With the Bears charging downfield with a chance to get within one score of the Cowboys, Cutler underthrew a ball intended for wide receiver Josh Morgan. Dallas cornerback Orlando Scandrick then came away with the interception. Cutler was then seen on the sidelines pointing at himself for the mistake, via Bleacher Report's Bear Heiser:
"I wonder if this is the type of accountability #Bears fans want to see from Jay Cutler. #NFL https://t.co/BdUaiz6rL9
— Bear Heiser (@BearHeiser) December 5, 2014"
Despite the loss, Cutler still played one of his better games of the season. His footwork and mechanics were suspect at times in the first half, but once his offensive line settled down, he started to look more comfortable in the pocket.
His interception ended up sealing the victory for the Cowboys, but his play as a whole was not the biggest reason for Chicago's loss.
Grade: C+
Running Back
2 of 10
Matt Forte carried the football just five times against the Detroit Lions in Week 13, and Bears general manager Phil Emery spoke before the game about the team needing more balance on offense, via the Chicago Tribune's David Haugh:
"Phil Emery tells @WBBMNewsradio: "Offensively we do need to achieve a better balance...We need to do a better job of running the football.''
— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) December 5, 2014"
Forte ran the football 13 times against the Cowboys for 26 yards with one touchdown. For the first time in his career, he ended the first quarter with negative rushing yards.
"This is first time Matt Forte has had negative rushing yards in a quarter in his career
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 5, 2014"
While Chicago once again went away from Forte in the running game, he did catch eight passes for 74 yards, but he had a costly fumble in the third quarter. With eight catches on Thursday night, Forte is now just 14 catches away from 100 on the season, via Bleacher Report's Zach Kruse:
"Eight more catches for Matt Forte. He has 86 this season. Still on pace for over 100.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 5, 2014"
Forte had a couple of nice runs, but Chicago's offensive line simply did not produce against a Cowboys defense that has struggled to stop the run all season long.
He did not have a big impact in the running game, but Forte once again proved that Chicago's offense is at its best when he is a focal point.
Grade: C
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery missed practice this week due to a nagging hamstring injury but suited up Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished the game with six catches for 95 yards with one touchdown.
While most of the focus was placed on Jeffery returning from injury, Brandon Marshall had to leave the game in the first half with a rib injury. He was later transported to the hospital by ambulance.
"VIDEO: Brandon Marshall leaves Soldier Field in ambulance with rib injury http://t.co/QeBsM2KVuP #DALvsCHI pic.twitter.com/na9idssTxJ
— NFL Now (@NFLNow) December 5, 2014"
He did not return to the game but finished with three catches for 61 yards. Before the injury, Marshall hauled in this impressive catch from Jay Cutler:
"Brandon Marshall's sick one-handed catch https://t.co/vmy7XBKVRY
— Sports Vines (@TheSportsVines) December 5, 2014"
Due to Marshall's injury, reserves Josh Morgan and Marquess Wilson saw increased playing time. Morgan finished with one catch for eight yards on three targets, while Wilson finished with two catches for 19 yards on five targets.
Tight end Martellus Bennett made his old team pay in the second quarter with his sixth touchdown catch of the season. He had three catches for 21 yards heading into halftime and finished with 12 catches for 84 yards.
Even though Morgan and Wilson struggled to replace Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett both played solid games on Thursday night.
Grade: B-
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
Chicago's offensive line did not allow a sack on Thursday night but did play one of its worst games of the season against the Cowboys.
The line consistently gave up pressure on Cutler and failed to open up any running lanes for Forte on the ground.
After left guard Michael Ola struggled in the first half and part of the third quarter, the Bears opted to put undrafted guard Ryan Groy in at guard in the third quarter, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com:
"Michael Ola on the sidelines. No. 79 Ryan Groy lined up at LG.
— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) December 5, 2014"
Groy struggled a bit in his first series but settled in as the game wore on. He eventually helped paved the way for Forte's lone rushing touchdown.
Left tackle Jermon Bushrod, center Roberto Garza and right tackle Jordan Mills all had their share of miscues on Thursday night, particularly in the running game. Right guard Kyle Long continued to be the lone bright spot on an offensive line that has regressed from last season.
Grade: D
Defensive Line
5 of 10
Chicago's defensive line took a hit before the game even started when it was announced that defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff was inactive, via NFL.com's Ian Rapoport:
"Surprising to hear #Bears DT Jeremiah Ratliff is inactive. Had told reporters Tuesday he’d play, heard the same today
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2014"
Rookie Will Sutton got the start in place of Ratliff and was expected to be a big contributor, via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune:
"Rookie three-technique Will Sutton has replaced Jay Ratliff in the 4 games he has missed due to injury. Big role for him in run D tonight
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) December 5, 2014"
Sutton finished the game with just one tackle.
Chicago's defensive line struggled all night to put any pressure on Dallas quarterback Tony Romo. Defensive ends Willie Young and Jared Allen both finished with a half sack apiece. The hits by Young and Allen on Romo went down as Chicago's only quarterback hits of the game.
In addition to getting little pressure on Romo all night, Chicago's defensive line struggled to help slow down running back DeMarco Murray. He finished the game with 179 rushing yards on 32 carries.
Allen and defensive tackle Stephen Paea led the defensive line with five tackles each, while Young finished with four. Defensive end David Bass and rookie defensive tackle Ego Ferguson both finished with one tackle.
Since the defensive line could not get pressure on Romo, Dallas was able to move the football down the field at will. It is no secret that Chicago's defensive line has been one of the team's weakest units this season.
Grade: F
Linebacker
6 of 10
Veteran Lance Briggs injured his groin against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12 and was officially placed on injured reserve last Friday. With Briggs officially out of the lineup, Jon Bostic took over Briggs' spot at strong-side linebacker, while rookie Christian Jones slipped in alongside Bostic in the team's nickel package on Thursday night.
Bostic led the team in tackles with seven but struggled with his angles against the run all night. In addition to taking poor angles, he also had trouble with reading and reacting to running plays. At times he looked like he did in his rookie season in 2013, via 670TheScore.com's Dan Durkin:
"Shades of Jon Bostic's rookie season on that run, completely overran that play. #Bears
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) December 5, 2014"
Jones finished the game with six tackles but struggled in pass coverage. Third-year man Shea McClellin finished with six tackles, while veteran middle linebacker D.J. Williams finished with three.
Chicago's linebackers did few things right on Thursday night. When they were not getting gashed in the running game by DeMarco Murray, he was beating them in the middle of the field in the passing game.
Grade: F
Secondary
7 of 10
After leaving last Thursday's game against the Detroit Lions with an eye injury, free safety Chris Conte returned to the lineup against the Cowboys in Week 14, via Chicago Bears radio network sideline reporter Zach Zaidman:
"Chris Conte is good to go tonight for the #Bears
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) December 4, 2014"
Conte only played a few snaps before a back injury ended his night. When it was announced at Soldier Field that he was out with an injury, Chicago's fans disgustingly cheered, via Adam Hoge of TheGameChicago.com:
"#Bears fans here at Soldier Field just cheered when they displayed Conte’s injury on the scoreboard. No excuse for that.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 5, 2014"
Rookie Brock Vereen replaced Conte and finished the game with two tackles. Strong safety Ryan Mundy finished with six tackles and played well against the run.
Cornerback Kyle Fuller was dealt another difficult hand on Thursday night in the form of Dez Bryant after he squared off against Detroit's Calvin Johnson a week ago. Fuller played off-coverage for most of the night, but Bleacher Report's Matt Bowen did not agree with Fuller's technique:
"Fuller doesn't need to shuffle when playing off-man. Read through the 3-step drop & drive on the throw.
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) December 5, 2014"
Fuller finished the game with five tackles. Nickelback Demontre Hurst registered four tackles, and cornerback Tim Jennings finished with two.
While it is difficult to cover wide receivers when the defensive line is not getting pressure on the quarterback, Chicago's secondary struggled all night to keep Bryant, Cole Beasley and Jason Witten in check.
Grade: F
Special Teams
8 of 10
After kicker Robbie Gould suffered a quad injury earlier this week, the team signed veteran Jay Feely to back up the 10-year veteran. Gould was inactive Thursday night, which left Feely as the team's kicker against the Dallas Cowboys, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com:
"Feely active tonight, as expected. Robbie Gould (quad) will be inactive.
— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) December 4, 2014"
Feely did not attempt a field goal, made two extra points and had another extra-point attempt blocked. The Bears recovered one of his three onside kick attempts.
Chicago waived kick returner Chris Williams earlier in the week, which left Marc Mariani as the team's lone return man. The five-year veteran returned six kicks for 136 yards and one punt for four yards.
Punter Pat O'Donnell punted four times for 134 yards, including one punt inside the 20-yard line. He also had one punt tipped by Dallas.
Despite some positives, Chicago had plenty of negatives on special teams, via NFL Network's Rich Eisen:
"To recap: on Bears special teams we have a tipped punt, blocked extra point and penalties on a trick return and on-sides kick.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) December 5, 2014"
After years of having one of the league's best special teams units, Chicago has seen a dramatic drop in specials teams play over the last two seasons.
Grade: F
Coaching
9 of 10
A week after calling just five running plays for Matt Forte, head coach Marc Trestman gave the workhorse back 13 carries on Thursday night. Even though Dallas has struggled to stop the run all season, Trestman once again abandoned the run and had Jay Cutler throw the football 46 times.
Trestman's offense has now become completely predictable after being one of the league's best last season.
Chicago fired head coach Lovie Smith in 2012 following a 10-win season. The Bears finished 8-8 last season, which prompted Bleacher Report's Zach Kruse to question how Trestman would keep his job if the Bears finish 5-11:
"Let's say Bears finish 5-11 (very doable). That's three less wins than 2013. Five less than 2012. How does Trestman survive that trend?
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 5, 2014"
While Trestman's offense was struggling to move the football, Mel Tucker's defense was struggling to slow down Dallas' DeMarco Murray. He finished the game with 228 yards of total offense on 41 touches. Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar believes it is time for Tucker to go:
"Mel Tucker's gotta go.
— SI_DougFarrar (@SI_DougFarrar) December 5, 2014"
Dallas finished Thursday night's game with 397 yards of total offense.
If Chicago continues this trend on both sides of the football in its final three games, it seems unlikely that Trestman and his staff will return next season.
Grade: F
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Unit | Overall Grade |
| QB | C+ |
| RB | C |
| WR/TE | B- |
| OL | D |
| DL | F |
| LB | F |
| Secondary | F |
| Special Teams | F |
| Coaching | F |
| Cumulative Grade | F |
Following back-to-back Thursday games, the Chicago Bears will get a little time off before they square off against the New Orleans Saints on December 15 on Monday Night Football.
Chicago's Week 15 matchup with the Saints will mark its third straight nationally televised game. After its loss to the Cowboys on Thursday night, the Bears are now 2-3 in nationally televised games this season.
Even though the Saints currently sit at 5-7 heading into their Week 14 matchup with the Carolina Panthers, they will still be fighting hard for a playoff berth when they come to Chicago in Week 15.
The Bears are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but they will likely only be playing the role of spoiler in the final three weeks of the season.
Record/statistical information provided via email from the Chicago Bears or ESPN.com.
Matt Eurich is an NFL/Chicago Bears Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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