CHICAGO — The Bears closed out 2023 and their residence slate with a bang Sunday, dominating the Atlanta Falcons from the opening kick-off in a resounding 37-17 win at Soldier Area.
Quarterback Justin Fields put collectively certainly one of his most full video games, giving the Bears and common supervisor Ryan Poles one thing to consider on the day they earned the No. 1 choose. Vast receiver DJ Moore added one other 100-yard recreation to his ledger, and the protection did the remainder, suffocating Atlanta’s woeful offense from begin to end.
The Bears at the moment are 7-9 and are three inexplicable faceplants away from being a playoff crew. The playoffs must wait till subsequent 12 months, however Sunday’s back-alley smackdown the Bears delivered confirmed the Bears have pulled themselves out of the NFL’s basement and are firmly within the crowded center with a inexperienced arrow pointing up.
This is a New Yr’s Eve report card worthy of champagne and the victory cigars the Bears lit within the residence locker room after the win:
Passing offense
Fields was sensational from the opening thrown.
The third-year quarterback opened his day with a fantastic strike to Moore alongside the fitting sideline for a acquire of 32. Fields completed the drive by ripping a dot to Moore behind the top zone for a 7-yard landing.
Fields’ first half Sunday was amongst his greatest in a Bears uniform, trailing solely the proper first half he put collectively in opposition to the Denver Broncos earlier this season.
Fields missed a pair throws and was late on just a few, however he additionally threw a picture-perfect move up the seam to Tyler Scott for a landing that the rookie could not haul in.
The quarterback’s day additionally included an absurd 13-yard scramble on third-and-8, on which he shook off two Falcons defenses to keep away from a sack and choose up the primary down.
This was Fields at his greatest.
He completed the day 20-for-32 for 268 yards and one landing whereas including 45 yards and a rating on the bottom. Moore hauled in 9 passes for 159 yards and a rating.
With no Darnell Mooney and with Cole Kmet restricted, the Bears’ passing recreation wasn’t anticipated to have an enormous day in opposition to Atlanta’s top-10-ranked move protection.
As an alternative, Fields sliced them up and despatched a message within the course of.
Flawless. No notes.
Fields GRADE: A
Crew GRADE: A
Dashing offense
D’Onta Foreman was a shock wholesome scratch Sunday, however his absence did not hamper the Bears’ floor recreation.
Khalil Herbert as soon as once more had his juice again, speeding for 124 yards and a landing on 18 carries. Herbert was slippery and confirmed nice imaginative and prescient and acceleration within the open discipline.
Herbert did not appear to be himself throughout the first handful of video games after his return from the ankle harm he suffered in Week 5. However Herbert appeared like his outdated self final week in opposition to the Cardinals and once more confirmed his typical burst Sunday whereas gashing the Falcons.
The Bears rushed for 192 yards at 5.2 yards per tote Sunday.
Atlanta had no solutions for a Bears’ floor recreation that wore them down early and ripped them late.
GRADE: A
Go protection
Whereas the Bears left Soldier Area on Sunday with an enormous query mark about what to do at quarterback, the Falcons know they haven’t any reply.
Taylor Heinicke was terrible Sunday.
Should you take away a 75-yard catch-and-run by working again Tyler Allgeier, the Bears held Heinick to 88 yards move and 4 interceptions.
The Falcons’ receivers struggled to get open in opposition to the Bears’ defensive backs, and Chicago’s line of defense hounded Heinicke all day.
The Allgeier explosive is a blemish, however aside from that, the Bears have been good.
GRADE: B+
Run protection
The Bears’ top-ranked run did an admirable job in opposition to rookie Bijan Robinson, holding him to 75 yards on 15 carries.
The Falcons received down by two scores early and needed to go away from the run recreation within the second half. Outdoors of a pair scramble by Heinicke the place they misplaced include, the Bears’ run protection was once more good.
It was nothing to put in writing residence about however a strong, workman-like effort.
GRADE: B+
Teaching
In a season outlined by late-game meltdowns, there have been no step-on-a-rake moments for the Bears on Sunday.
The lone questionable choice got here when the Bears determined to roll Fields out of the pocket for a shot play late within the recreation whereas up by 20. Fields was hit on the play and fumbled, however the Bears recovered.
Head coach Matt Eberlfus stated they’d a free play forward of the two-minute warning and needed to get the lone first down wanted to salt the sport away.
Nonetheless, it was a curious choice to open your quarterback as much as an pointless hit in a recreation that was over.
GRADE: B+
General
This was the Bears’ greatest all-around efficiency of the season and doubtless their greatest since a Week 7 drubbing of the New England Patriots final season.
Fields was stellar, Moore tormented the Falcons, and the protection continued to be the dominant, elite unit it has been for over a month.
If that is who the Bears plan to be, 2024 goes to be enjoyable.
GRADE: A
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