Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears' Week 1 Report Card

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears’ 2016 season opener against the Houston Texans was a tale of two halves. Everything seemed to be going fine in the first half. Chicago actually ended the first quarter with the lead; this was something that they did only once in 2015. But, the second half saw the gradual decline of a Bears offense that accumulated only 71 total yards, and a defense that couldn’t contain a flashy rookie receiver. The Bears’ 23-14 loss to the Texans marks the fourth consecutive loss to Houston (0-4 all-time), and the third straight year in which Chicago has lost a season opener. Let’s take a look at just how bad this was.

Quarterback

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Cutler seemed to be managing the game very well by connecting on 10 of 13 pass attempts for 156 yards and a touchdown in the first half. When given the protection, Cutler easily found his favorite target Alshon Jeffery for big chucks of yardage. Unfortunately, the second half featured Cutler throwing an interception on the Bears’ second offensive play (which appeared to not be his fault). Furthermore, the 11-year veteran quarterback was under constant pressure behind an offensive line that crumbled as the game went on, and did the best that he could under such circumstances. Cutler finished the contest 16 of 29 for 216 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Grade: B

Running Backs

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago only called 18 running plays throughout the entire game, and Jeremy Langford received 17 of those carries for 57 yards. Langford did score the Bears’ first touchdown of the 2016 season from the Texans’ one-yard line in the first quarter. Along with the limited carries, Langford (just like Cutler) was a victim of the poor blocking by the offensive line, and didn’t get may chances to break loose into the secondary. Langford also had two receptions for six yards.

Grade: C

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) makes a catch in front of Houston Texans free safety Andre Hal (29) during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Things were looking great for Alshon Jeffery, who had 105 receiving yards in the first half. Jeffery drew a pass interference call, which led to the Bears’ first touchdown of the game, and later caught a 54-yard pass to put Chicago in position to take a 14-10 lead going into halftime. However, Jeffery didn’t have a single catch in the second half, and did have a crucial drop on a third-and-seven in the third quarter. Kevin White’s anticipated NFL debut was less than mediocre at best. White ran the wrong route, which resulted in Cutler’s interception at the start of the second half, and pretty much helped set the tone for the rest of the game. The West Virginia product finished his first professional game with three catches for 34 yards. Eddie Royal looked like he could be reverting to his old self, ending up with four receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Zach Miller was virtually invisible with three grabs of his own for 14 yards.

Grade: C

Offensive Line

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) grabs the leg of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned earlier, things looked great in the beginning. Eventually everything went downhill as the game progressed, and the offensive line is the main culprit. Hardly any time was given to Cutler to pick apart the Texans’ secondary, and Chicago’s quarterback was found picking himself up five times after being sacked (and many other times after late hits). Bobby Massie had problems protecting the right side of the O-line, as did Charles Leno Jr. on the opposite side. Rookie Cody Whitehair, who got the nod to start at center, had a bad snap on fourth-and-inches, which resulted in a lost fumble.

Grade: F

Defensive Line

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) celebrates after Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) is tackled during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago’s defensive line had a tough time setting the tone along the line of scrimmage when defending the run. Texans running back Lamar Miller ended the first half with 83 yards on the ground, and finished the game with 106. The only two D-linemen who recorded tackles were Akiem Hicks (three) and Eddie Goldman (two). Goldman also had a half sack. The defensive front did assist in getting some pressure on Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler.

Grade: C

Linebackers

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs as Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) defends during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Both Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman proved to be worth every penny they received from the Bears this offseason. Trevathan and Freeman flew from sideline to sideline making the majority of Chicago’s tackles. Rookie Leonard Floyd had a couple of solo tackles, and recorded a half sack in his professional debut.

Grade: C

Defensive Backs

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) makes a catch past Chicago Bears cornerback Deiondre

As the veteran in the secondary, Tracy Porter started the season off right by getting an interception on first drive of the game. Porter was also beaten by Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Already thin at the cornerback position, rookie Deiondre Hall had to step in after Jacoby Glenn left the game with an injury. Hall did a decent job filling in, but did get beat for a 35-yard gain along sideline against fellow rookie Will Fuller in the fourth quarter. The Bears’ defensive backfield had no answer for the speedy Fuller, allowing the Texans wide receiver to accumulate five catches for 107 yards and a TD.

Grade: D

Special Teams

Sep 11, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) runs past Chicago Bears cornerback Jacoby Glenn (39) during the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Sherrick McManis partially blocked a field goal attempt, but the ball managed to get over the crossbar anyway. Royal did put the Bears in good field position with a 31-yard punt return. Connor Barth had no field goal attempts, but did connect on his two extra point attempts. Kick returner Deonte Thompson’s longest return was 26 yards, but should have opted to kneel the ball in the end zone once or twice. Rookie Deandre Houston-Carson was flagged for a block-in-the-back penalty on a kickoff return.

Grade: C

Coaching

Sep 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, head coach John Fox and the rest of his coaching staff did a good job in attempting to orchestrate a positive outcome in the Bears’ 2016 opening game. The only knock that I have on Fox is the balance in play calling on the offensive side of the ball. Chicago called 34 pass plays versus 18 run plays. Granted, the Bears were trailing in the second half, but seeing that the pass protection was porous, maybe adding Ka’Deem Carey and rookie Jordan Howard in the mix on the ground could have helped turn things around.

Grade: C