Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings: Full Report Card Grades for Chicago
After entering the 2014 season with lofty playoff aspirations, the Chicago Bears struggled on both sides of the football all season long and finished with a 5-11 record following their 13-9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17.
The Bears racked up just 264 yards of offense against the Vikings. Jay Cutler completed 23 of 36 passes for 172 yards and was sacked twice. Matt Forte finished with 51 yards on 17 carries and hauled in eight catches for 23 yards.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller commented on Chicago's season after the game:
"5-11 season for the Bears. What an embarrassment. Should have pick No. 7 overall.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 28, 2014"
Even with the loss, head coach Marc Trestman felt confident about returning as the team's head coach after the game, via Chicago Bears radio network sideline host Zach Zaidman:
"Marc Trestman to @WBBMNewsradio on if he expects to remain #Bears coach: "Absolutely, I expect to."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) December 28, 2014"
Cornerback Charles Tillman and tight end Martellus Bennett both voiced their displeasure after the game about how trust was broken inside the locker room, via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune and Jen Lada of CSN Chicago:
"Bears CB Charles Tillman: "This year there was a lot of trust broken. ...When you do have conflict, you need to let that...stay in house."
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) December 28, 2014"
"Bennett: Trust was broken. Every1 was put in a difficult/uncomfortable situation. Adversity came fr several different areas: in-house & out
— Jen Lada (@JenLada) December 28, 2014"
Even though Trestman sounded confident about returning next season, it appears the writing is on the wall for Chicago's coaching staff, via Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
After finishing last season 8-8, the Bears regressed this season on offense, and Sunday's performance against the Vikings may have helped seal Trestman's fate in Chicago.
Here are our grades for each Bears unit following the Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Quarterback
1 of 10
Jimmy Clausen got the start over Jay Cutler last week against the Detroit Lions, but Cutler reclaimed his starting role on Sunday.
"After Jimmy Clausen suffers concussion, #Bears coach Marc Trestman announces Jay Cutler will start at QB in season finale in Minnesota.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 22, 2014"
He finished the first half with 85 yards on 14 completions with an 82.1 quarterback rating. He finished the game with 172 yards on 23 completions with no touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 75.2.
The offensive line struggled all afternoon in pass protection, forcing Cutler to throw off his back foot on occasion. Cutler looked skittish in the pocket and was forced to throw a lot of screens and short passes.
With possible changes looming in the organization, there is no guarantee Cutler will be back in Chicago next season.
Grade: D
Running Back
2 of 10
Even though the Bears lost on Sunday and struggled all season long on offense, running back Matt Forte added his name to the record books a handful of times on Sunday, via the team's official Twitter account:
"With last carry, @MattForte22 has passed the 1,000 rushing yd mark for the season. It’s his 5th 1,000-yd season with the #Bears. #CHIvsMIN
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 28, 2014"
"With last catch, @MattForte22 also becomes 2nd player in NFL history to tally 1,000 yds & 100 catches in 1 season (Tomlinson ’03). #CHIvsMIN
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 28, 2014"
".@MattForte22 catches 102nd pass of the year, a record for most receptions by a RB in 1 season. #Bears #CHIvsMIN pic.twitter.com/DCfMlqPOqj
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 28, 2014"
He ran the football 17 times for 51 yards and hauled in eight catches for 23 yards. His eight receptions on Sunday got him to 102 on the season and helped him break Larry Centers' record for most catches in a season by a running back.
Rookie Ka'Deem Carey did not step on the field on offense for the second week in a row, via Kevin Fishbain of ChicagoFootball.com.
It was not one of Forte's best games of the season, particularly in terms of receiving yards, but he showed just how valuable he is to Chicago's offense.
Grade: B
Wide Receiver and Tight End
3 of 10
After Brandon Marshall went down with an injury against the Dallas Cowboys in early December, Chicago's wide receivers struggled to make an impact in the passing game.
Dan Durkin of 670TheScore.com felt the biggest reason the receivers struggled against the Vikings was because the Bears did not know where to attack the defense:
"Inside breaking routes/reads are non-existent in the #Bears attack. Willfully ignoring biggest area of field/defense to attack.
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) December 28, 2014"
Alshon Jeffery finished the game with just two catches for 34 yards, including a 19-yard reception. He was targeted just five times.
Tight end Martellus Bennett led the way with eight catches for 59 yards on 11 targets. Backup tight end Dante Rosario hauled in two catches for 25 yards.
Receivers Marquess Wilson and Josh Morgan combined for just 31 yards on three catches.
Whether it was a poor game plan or poor execution, Chicago's receivers and tight ends, with the exception of Bennett, all appeared like they were just going through the motions.
It wasn't the group's worst performance this season, but they failed to make life easier on Cutler all afternoon.
Grade: D
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
After missing last week's game against the Detroit Lions with a hip injury, right guard Kyle Long returned to the lineup on Sunday. He was also named to the Pro Bowl this past week, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com:
"Congratulations to #Bears RG Kyle Long for being named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl.
— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) December 24, 2014"
In addition to Long receiving accolades this past week, center Roberto Garza signed a one-year extension to remain with the team in 2015, via Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald:
"#Bears announce they have signed C Roberto Garza to a one-year contract for 2015.
— Bob LeGere (@BobLeGere) December 26, 2014"
While Long held his own on Sunday, Garza struggled a bit at times against Minnesota's defensive tackles. He gave up pressure in the middle and struggled to open up holes for Forte in the running game.
Undrafted rookie Ryan Groy got his third straight start at left guard and struggled throughout the afternoon, via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune:
"Undrafted rookie LG Ryan Groy having a rough go of it today. DIdn't get off the ball in time to prevent that QB pressure.
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) December 28, 2014"
Left tackle Jermon Bushrod struggled in both the passing and running game.
The offensive line allowed just two sacks, but Cutler was faced with pressure all game long. After starting the same five offensive linemen in all 16 games last season, all five of the team's Week 1 starters missed at least one game this season. They struggled with continuity all season, and it showed against the Vikings.
Grade: F
Defensive Line
5 of 10
Defensive end Jared Allen and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff were both active after missing time during the week due to injuries, via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times:
"Jeremiah Ratliff (knee) and Jared Allen (ribs) are playing today for the #Bears.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) December 28, 2014"
Ratliff led all defensive linemen with six tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit. Allen finished with two tackles and nearly came away with an interception on a screen pass thrown by quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the first half.
With Willie Young out of the lineup after he was placed on injured reserve last week, second-year man David Bass got the start at left defensive end. He finished with four tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hit.
Stephen Paea and Cornelius Washington both finished the game with three tackles each, but Washington suffered an apparent knee injury late in the fourth quarter. He was optimistic about his knee after the game, via Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune:
"Bears DE Cornelius Washington is optimistic his left knee injury is NOT worst-case scenario, based on immediate evaluations. Good news there
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) December 28, 2014"
The defensive line only took down Bridgewater twice in the backfield but did a nice job of creating pressure.
It is no secret the Bears will need to get help along the defensive line in 2015 if they want to compete for a playoff spot.
Grade: C
Linebacker
6 of 10
A week after registering a team-high 11 tackles against the Detroit Lions, undrafted rookie Christian Jones finished Sunday's game with seven tackles. He also registered one sack, a tackle for loss and one quarterback hit.
“I think he’s a lot more confident in what we need him to do from an assignment standpoint,” said defensive coordinator Mel Tucker last week about Jones, via Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com. “And that just comes with reps. He’s a football guy. He loves to play the game. It means a lot to him. But in order to learn how to play the position, you have to play. You have to get reps."
In a season filled with so much turmoil on defense, Jones has developed into a solid linebacker.
Second-year man Jon Bostic led all linebackers with 10 tackles, including six solo, and had one tackle for loss. He was active against the run and moved well from sideline to sideline, but he still had some mental lapses, especially on a run to the outside by Bridgewater on a quarterback keeper, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune:
"Jon Bostic didn't even see Bridgewater on that QB keeper.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 28, 2014"
Strong-side linebacker Shea McClellin finished with three tackles and made a big stop on a reverse early in the game, via the Chicago Sun-Times' Patrick Finley:
"Cheers erupt from the McCaskey luxury box as Shea McClellin gets not-fooled by the reverse
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) December 28, 2014"
Even though Matt Asiata was able to pick up extra yards in the running game when he made it to the second level, Chicago's linebackers played one of their better games of the season.
Grade: B
Secondary
7 of 10
Kyle Fuller notched his fourth interception of the year after hauling in three in the team's first three games this season. He rumbled his way into the end zone but was later ruled down around the 10-yard line, via the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs:
"Upon review, referee Jeff Triplette announces #Bears CB Kyle Fuller was touched down. So no TD, 1st and goal.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) December 28, 2014"
While Fuller played a solid game, Tim Jennings got burned down the sidelines by Minnesota's Adam Thielen on what appeared to be broken coverage by the veteran cornerback, via Dan Durkin of 670TheScore.com:
"Saw the replay of the #Vikings TD, that's on Jennings. Played cover-2 technique on a Cover-3 call. Deep third was left uncovered by #Bears
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) December 28, 2014"
Chicago's miscommunication on the Thielen touchdown was a microcosm of its season on defense, via Bleacher Report's Zach Kruse:
"Receiver open deep behind Bears coverage. Not a rare tweet
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 28, 2014"
Jennings finished the game with two tackles, while nickelback Demontre Hurst finished with three.
Safety Ryan Mundy led the team in tackles with 11, and free safety Brock Vereen finished with five.
In order for the Bears to be even remotely competitive next season on defense, the secondary is going to need a major overhaul.
Grade: D
Special Teams
8 of 10
Kicker Jay Feely played his first game for the Bears back in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys but did not attempt his first field goal of the season until Sunday afternoon. He made three of his four attempts with a long of 48 yards.
Rookie punter Pat O'Donnell capped off his solid season by racking up 182 yards on four punts with a long of 56 yards. He nailed one of his punts inside the 20-yard line.
Return man Marc Mariani took back three kicks for 88 yards, while Sherrick McManis was credited with one punt return for zero yards after falling on a muffed ball.
Chicago's coverage units held Matt Asiata and Joe Banyard to three kick returns for 39 yards but gave up one punt for 31 yards to Marcus Sherels.
Joe DeCamillis' unit struggled all season long with production, but Chicago's special teams played one of its better games of the season on Sunday.
Grade: B
Coaching
9 of 10
Forced to go back to Cutler this Sunday after Jimmy Clausen suffered a concussion against the Lions, Marc Trestman had a lackluster game plan in place against the Vikings.
The Bears were much more balanced on offense, throwing the ball 36 times and running it 21 times, but Trestman appeared content with moving the football down the field with screens and short passes. His downfall all season long has been how predictable he has become with his play-calling, and that was evident in this tweet by TheGameChicago.com's Adam Hoge:
".@djdurkin is up here correctly calling out #Bears’ plays before the snap. Not taking anything away from Dan, but that’s sad for Trestman.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 28, 2014"
On the other side of the football, Mel Tucker's defense gave up 311 yards of total offense. According to Jen Lada of CSN Chicago, Tucker was seen crying on the sidelines:
"Per @ZachZaidman, Mel Tucker in tears on the sideline. #bears
— Jen Lada (@JenLada) December 28, 2014"
Because of Trestman's play-calling, combined with Tucker's flawed game plan, the coaching staff once again finished with a failing grade.
Grade: F
Final Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Unit | Overall Grade |
| QB | D |
| RB | B |
| WR/TE | D |
| OL | F |
| DL | C |
| LB | B |
| Secondary | D |
| Special Teams | B |
| Coaching | F |
| Cumulative Grade | D+ |
With the 2014 season officially in the books for the Chicago Bears, the organization will now turn its focus toward the 2015 season.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wrote over the weekend there could be a "full-blown Bears house-cleaning coming." Florio wrote there could be changes as high up as team president Ted Phillips. If the organization opts to completely clean house, former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan could be a candidate to replace Marc Trestman as head coach. Quarterback Jay Cutler praised his former coach after Sunday's game.
“My three years with him were very, very enjoyable," Cutler said about Shanahan, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. "He does a great job of leading teams on and off the field and offensively he knows how to get it done.”
According to Briggs, Shanahan has said he wants to return to the NFL as a head coach in 2015.
Regardless of what changes the Bears make this offseason, they are going to need to put a better product on the field in 2015 if they want to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
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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