Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears' Week 5 Report Card

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:53 p.m. ET

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Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

There were so many good things to take away from the Chicago Bears’ Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Offensively, Chicago had a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher, a 100-yard receiver, over 500 yards in offense, and they scored more than 20 points for the first time this season. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears’ 26th ranked run defense held the Colts under 100 yards on the ground, and their pass rush racked up five sacks. Despite all of the stat-filling numbers, Chicago still found themselves on the losing end of the game by the score of 29-23.

Now falling to a record of 1-4, the Bears are still in a place where they need to find a winning formula. It appeared as if things were heading in the right direction after last week’s win. And seeing how the team played overall versus the Colts, one would’ve thought that the trend would continue. But, unfortunately, penalties played a big part in this loss, and now it’s back to the drawing board for the Bears.

As mentioned earlier, even in defeat, Chicago can still take pride in some of the things that they did at Lucas Oil Stadium. Let’s take a look at what those things are.

Quarterback

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With this performance, Brian Hoyer could have officially unseated Jay Cuter as the Bears’ starting quarterback. The eight-year veteran managed the game, while at the same time putting up big numbers. Hoyer recorded his third-straight 300-yard game (397 yards to be exact) and threw two touchdowns with no interceptions. The only knock on Hoyer in this game could be the fact that he threw the ball behind his intended receiver on Chicago’s final offensive play of the game, while not looking in the direction of a wide open Alshon Jeffery down the side line.

Grade: A-

Running Backs

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Jordan Howard picked up right where he left off last week by carrying the load on the ground for the Bears once again. Howard ripped off a 57-yard run in second quarter, which set up Chicago’s first touchdown, tying the game at 13-13. The fifth-round draft pick out of Indiana University made his presence known once again in the Hoosier State by rushing for 118 yards on only 16 carries, while catching three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. Howard also did a good job in pass protection. There was a facemask penalty called on the rookie that prevented the Bears from having the ball on the Colts’ one-yard line, resulting in Chicago settling for a field goal on their opening drive.

Grade: A-

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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Cameron Meredith had a very big game with nine receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. However, nothing was bigger than the fumble he lost at the 3:29 mark in the fourth quarter with the Bears trailing 26-23. Alshon Jeffery was quiet in the first half, but came on strong to finish the game with five catches for 77 yards. Eddie Royal and Zach Miller both shook off injuries they were nursing this week. Royal hauled in seven balls for 43 yards, while Miller recorded the same number of receptions for 73 yards.

Grade: B

Offensive Line

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Even though the Colts’ pass rush isn’t one of the best in the league, the Bears’ offensive line managed to keep them at bay all game long and not surrender any sacks. The O-line also got enough push on the line of scrimmage for Chicago to average 6.6 yards per carry as a team. Bobby Massie was beat pretty bad late in the fourth quarter, causing him to get flagged for holding on their potential game-winning drive. Kyle Long was also guilty of a holding penalty in the first half that negated a first down and stalled a drive.

Grade: B

Defensive Line

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The defensive line did what they had to do in both playing against the run and the pass. Chicago was stout against the Colts and their ground attack, controlling the line of scrimmage and helping the defense hold Indianapolis under 100 yards rushing. Defensive ends Akiem Hicks and rookie Jonathan Bullard each had a sack on quarterback Andrew Luck.

Grade: B

Linebackers

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With rookie Leonard Floyd sidelined, and the rest of the Bears’ top pass rushers on the self, Willie Young stepped in and took advantage of Indy’s porous offensive line by ending the game with three sacks. Danny Trevathan made his return to the field after a two-game hiatus and solidified the middle of the linebacking corps with Jerrell Freeman against the run, finishing the game with six and seven tackles respectively.

Grade: B

Defensive Backs

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Bryce Callahan was probably the standout player in the Bears’ secondary, with solid coverage on receivers, and finishing with six tackles, including one tackle at the goal line to prevent a touchdown before halftime. Unfortunately, as a unit, the secondary was lit up for 322 yards in the air, and couldn’t contain Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, who had 117 yards receiving in the first half, and finished with 10 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown. Safeties Adrian Amos and Harold Jones-Quartey lost containment of tight end Dwayne Allen on a fourth-and-goal for a touchdown early in the second quarter.

Grade: D

Special Teams

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Kicker Connor Barth did connect on three field goal attempts, but still gave Bears fans a reason to question his being on the roster. Barth missed a 54-yard attempt, but was bailed out on a roughing-the-kicker penalty on the Colts. Unfortunately, Barth missed on the ensuing 49-yard attempt. Paul Lasike nearly blocked a punt that could’ve given the Bears great field position late in the third quarter.

Grade: C

Coaching

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Just when you thought the offensive play calling was fixed after last week’s well-balanced attack, Chicago’s coaching staff once again got one-dimensional. The Bears called 44 pass plays and only 18 run plays all game long. Looking at how productive Howard was on the ground, one would think that head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains would’ve kept it on the ground. Howard averaged 7.4 yards per run against the Colts, and even without his 57-yard run, Howard would have still averaged 4.1 yards. Yes, Hoyer was effective in the passing game, but just imagine how much damage Andrew Luck wouldn’t have been able to do if Chicago would’ve taken the air out of the ball with the running game.

As for the defense, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio did his best with what he had and still managed to put his front seven in good position to put pressure on Indy’s quarterback. Unfortunately, he couldn’t duplicate that same success with his defensive backs versus the pass.

Grade: C-