QUARTERBACK: B
Caleb Williams muted doubts that emerged from a three-game slump with an encouraging performance that was more reassuring than prolific. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 231 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions for a 95.0 passer rating, plus nine rushes for 70 yards — all of them vital. Above all else, he did what franchise quarterbacks do — overcoming adversity in a tough moment to give the Bears a chance to win, with completions of 16 and 21 yards to Rome Odunze to get out of a dire third-and-19 hole.
THOMAS BROWN: A
Brown’s imprint on the Bears’ offense in his first game in place of fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron seemed pretty clear. The Bears, held to 156 yards (2.4 yards per play) against the 25th-ranked Patriots last week, gained 391 yards (5.8 yards per play) — against a Packers 12th-ranked defense that held the Lions to 261 yards (4.7 yards per play) two weeks ago. The Bears converted 9 of 16 third-down situations after converting 1 of 14 against the Patriots.
WIDE RECEIVERS: B
The Bears’ longest pass play was only 25 yards and they didn’t have a receiving touchdown, but DJ Moore (seven receptions, 62 yards), Rome Odunze (6-65), Keenan Allen (4-41) and Cole Kmet (3-42) found ways to get open and give Williams a chance. Running back Roschon Johnson added an eight-yard reception to convert a fourth-and-2, leading to a third-quarter touchdown.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D
Cairo Santos made field goals of 53 and 27 yards to keep the Bears within striking distance, but the field goal unit contributed to the Bears disappointing 2024 demise by failing at the most inopportune time — with a chance to win the game. Blocked field goals happen, but they shouldn’t happen with the game on the line. The Bears could have made the kick easier for Santos, but he was 7 for 7 this season from 46-55 yards.
MATT EBERFLUS: C
The embattled Bears head coach can’t win for losing. After a difficult week that turned up the heat on his job security, Eberflus had his team in position for an impressive victory over a playoff-caliber team — only to lose on a blocked field goal that turned a step forward into a step sideways. Changing offensive coordinators already is paying dividends, but Eberflus has a long road ahead of him toward redemption.