Chicago Bears Report Card: Grades from Week 1 Against the Atlanta Falcons

The Chicago Bears have started this season off with a bang. They looked great in Week 1 against one of the best teams in the NFL from 2010, the Atlanta Falcons. 

The Bears embarrassed the Falcons last Sunday, easily winning 30-6. 

This is the perfect start the Bears needed, especially because it will help build momentum they will need with a difficult road ahead. 

The Bears face Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans this weekend, then host their rivals and defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers the following week. 

I expect the Bears to use this game to springboard into a great season. 

Here is the Bears report card from Week 1. 

Jay Cutler

Grade: A

Jay Cutler played lights out on Sunday. He threw for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while completing 68.8 percent of his passes.

Not only did Cutler rack up the yards, he spread the ball throughout the whole offense and utilized all his weapons.

Cutler completed passes to eight different receivers and moved the ball effectively down the field, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt.

The best part of his performance is that he passed the eye test with flying colors. He wasn't throwing off his back foot, throwing across the field or his body and did not turn the ball over in the red-zone.

Cutler did have a few forced passes that were almost intercepted, but he also had a few passes that were almost touchdowns, so we can not play the "what-if game."

Jay Cutler showed how good he is and if he can keep that play up, then he will finish top seven in NFL quarterbacks. 

Matt Forte

Grade: A

I feel like a broken record, but I can not say it enough. Matt Forte is one of the most underrated and talented running backs in the NFL. 

On Sunday Forte compiled 158 total yards (90 receiving, 68 rushing) along with two touchdowns.

Yes, I understand 68 yards is not that impressive and most of Forte's receiving yardage came on a 56 yards screen pass, but he still rushed for 4.3 yards per carry and caught five passes.

Matt Forte can do it all. He makes the offense run and he looked outstanding on Sunday.

Forte should put up numbers closer to his rookie season and finish the year with over 1,600 total yards.   

Wide Receivers

Grade: B - 

The Chicago Bears wide receivers played well against the Falcons, but I attribute their success more to Jay Cutler instead of the wide receivers themselves. 

None of the receivers had a big game and no receiver caught more than four passes or eclipsed 60 yards. The wide outs also failed to record a touchdown. 

While the receivers were not super impressive, none of them played poorly either.

Johnny Knox and Roy Williams each chipped in with three receptions a piece for first downs. Again not great, but that's six first downs.  

The Bears receivers must continue to move the sticks and generate first downs because they are the keys to making the offense click.  

Offensive Line

Grade: B

I think the Bears' offensive line looked great against the Falcons. They did give up four sacks, but those sacks were more of individual breakdowns instead of the pocket just imploding on Cutler like we saw last season.

The o-line provided ample time for Cutler to throw the ball and their performance shows how good Cutler is when he isn't scrambling for his life every play.

They also freed up rushing lanes for Matt Forte who also had a great day.

Overall it looks like the Bears' line coach Mike Tice has been working some magic and is turning the Bears offensive line woes around.

Hopefully they will be able to continue to play well as unit, but give up a few less sacks.   

Defense

Grade: A +

The Bears defense was arguably the best in the NFL in Week 1. The Bears recorded five sacks, forced three turnovers and scored a touchdown. 

The defense did not allow the Falcons to see the end zone, giving up six points on just two field goals.  

The Falcons were only able to convert on just 4 of 13 (30.7 percent) attempts on third down and were 0-1 on fourth down underneath the Bears stifling defense.  

If the Bears defense keeps up this unreal play then the Bears will not lose. 

Although this Sunday might be difficult for Captain Brian Urlacher, who unexpectedly lost his mother on Monday.

I expect the defense to rally around their leader and play a spectacular game in honor of Lavoyda (Brian's mother).