The Chicago Bears used an impressive defensive performance on Sunday to defeat the visiting Carolina Panthers, 17-3. Chicago QB Mitchell Trubisky attempted just seven pass attempts, completing four of them for 107 yards in the process but it was the Bears defense who put up the points in Chicago.
In fact, it was rookie defensive back Eddie Jackson who single-handledly outscored Carolina, as he returned both a fumble and an interception for touchdowns. His 75-yard scoop and score in the first quarter and 76-yard pick-six were good enough to hold off QB Cam Newton and the Panthers.
Neither offense seemed to get on track enough to sustain much of an attack, as Bears RB Jordan Howard carried the ball 21 times for 65 yards. On the other side of things, the Panthers rushing attack of Jonathan Stewart and Christian McCaffrey was bottled up, totaling just 58 yards on 21 carries.
With that, we give you our PFF exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team.
Top 5 Grades:
LB Danny Trevathan, 92.6 overall grade
S Eddie Jackson, 90.3 overall grade
S Adrian Amos, 88.9 overall grade
DI Akiem Hicks, 85.7 overall grade
DI Jonathan Bullard, 83.1 overall grade
Performances of Note:
QB Mitchell Trubisky, 67.3 overall grade
Trubisky only dropped back to pass 13 times and he completed 4 of his 7 pass attempts for 107 yards, including a deep post route to Tarik Cohen. Trubisky was sacked 4 times, one of which was charged to him. The Bears were never pressured to throw the ball down the field thanks to their defensive effort.
G Josh Sitton, 81.3 overall grade
Although yielding a sack in the fourth quarter, Sitton played consistent on the day and showed good athleticism with several nice reach blocks on Bears outside zone plays.
LB Danny Trevathan, 92.6 overall grade
It didn't matter if the Bears' asked him to rush the passer, drop in coverage, or stuff the run, Trevathan did it all. He recorded a sack, a hit, two hurries, a batted pass, and he notched three defensive stops. Not to mention his interception as he allowed three catches on four targets for just 19 yards.
S Adrian Amos, 88.9 overall grade
While his counterpart Eddie Jackson stole the show with his two defensive touchdowns, Amos made several plays of his own. Targeted on four occasions, Amos broke up a pass and allowed two catches to go for -2 yards. On top of his excellent work in coverage, Amos amassed six tackles, two assists, and two defensive stops.
Top 5 Grades:
T Daryl Williams, 81.9 overall grade
G Andrew Norwell, 78.9 overall grade
DI Kawann Short, 77.0 overall grade
LB Shaq Thompson, 76.2 overall grade
WR Devin Funchess, 73.6 overall grade
Performances of Note:
QB Cam Newton, 71.9 overall grade
While the stat line is unseemly, as Cam finished with 2 interceptions and a fumble, only one of those turnovers was truly his fault as a defended pass was deflected in the air for a pick six and the fumble dropped by rookie Curtis Samuel was also returned for a touchdown. Under pressure on 53.5 percent of his dropbacks, Newton completed just 8-of-15 for 100 yards but there was the one egregious interception. Against the third best defense coming into the week, Cam attempted just three deep passes, completing one for 37 yards.
T Matt Kalil, 36.3 overall grade
Kalil struggled to block Bears edge defender Pernell McPhee and Co., as the former Minnesota Viking surrendered 7 total pressures including a sack and a hit. He also struggled in run blocking, as Panthers' rushers gained just 14 yards on 7 carries when running left.
DI Kawann Short, 77.0 overall grade
Short was stout on the inside for the Panthers. Short generated a sack and a hurry rushing the passer and also had 2 stops in run defense.
Edge Mario Addison, 75.4 overall grade
Addison was productive, throwing off Trubisky's timing with a sack and hurry of his own. Addison also produced three run stops as the Panthers defense played well in the loss.
PFF Game Ball: Danny Trevathan, LB
*Grades are subject to change upon review
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