Bears Preseason Evaluation: Top and Bottom Performers According to PFF Grades in Loss to Colts
The Chicago Bears lost 24-17 to the Indianapolis Colts, ending Matt Eberflus' flawless preseason record. In a game dominated by reserve players, most starters were held back.
Pro Football Focus has assigned player grades to those who participated in the Bears' loss to the Colts, and we've analyzed them by offense and defense. We assessed the three highest- and lowest-graded players on both sides of the ball, as well as other notable contributors. A few of the highest- and lowest-graded players, both offensively and defensively, were unexpected, while others were predictable.
Top 5 on Offense:OT Larry Borom � 91.1QB Tyson Bagent � 86.38OT Kellen Diesch � 82.5WR Daurice Fountain � 76.1OT Robert Haskins � 73.5
Bagent was the standout performer in the second preseason game, leading a 17-play, 92-yard scoring drive, during which he completed 7-of-8 passes for 61 yards. He earned an impressive 81.4 passing grade and a 69.3 rushing grade, including his 2-yard rushing touchdown. Fountain also shone, leading the Bears with five catches for 86 yards, including a notable 35-yard touchdown from Nathan Peterman. Fountain received a 75.5 passing grade. Three offensive tackles featured in the top five for Chicago: Borom, Diesch, and Haskins. Borom earned a stellar 92.8 run blocking grade and an 80.9 pass blocking grade. Diesch impressed with an 82.2 pass blocking and an 81.6 run blocking grade. Haskins got an 80.3 pass blocking grade, but his run blocking was less impressive at 69.0.
Bottom 5 on Offense:WR Equanimeous St. Brown � 38.2QB P.J. Walker � 43.8WR Nsimba Webster � 51.9TE Lachlan Pitts � 52.2FB Robert Burns � 52.3
St. Brown struggled against the Colts, failing to make any catches on his only target. He was the lowest-graded offensive player for the Bears, earning low scores in passing (41.3) and run blocking (59.1). Walker, starting in place of Justin Fields, struggled, completing just 1-of-4 passes for 6 yards. Walker earned a disappointing 44.4 passing grade. Burns carried the ball eight times for 40 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry, but a costly fumble lowered his stock. Despite strong passing (71.7) and pass protection (75.2) grades, his run grade suffered at 45.3.
Top 5 on Defense:DE Terrell Lewis � 91.5DE D'Anthony Jones � 79.1LB Jack Sanborn � 79.1DE Trevis Gipson � 78.4CB Kindle Vildor � 76.9
Lewis, aiming for a roster spot, had another outstanding preseason performance, recording a strip sack for the second straight game. He led the defense with a 91.5 grade, boasting an impressive 91.5 pass rush grade, as well as solid tackling (71.2) and run defense (66.1) grades. Gipson, also vying for a roster spot, had a solid outing with three tackles and a QB hit, earning strong pass rush (76.5) and tackling (73.0) grades. Jones impressed with two tackles and a QB hit, receiving an 82.0 pass rush grade and a 73.2 run grade. His only weak point was a lowly 38.6 tackling grade. Vildor, competing for a roster spot, had a good day with strong coverage (75.0), tackling (75.4), and run defense (73.3) grades.
Bottom 5 on Defense:S Adrian Colbert � 29.8LB Barrington Wade � 35.4CB Jaylon Jones � 39.3LB Mykal Walker � 40.2LB Davion Taylor � 45.1
The Bears had three linebackers among the lowest-graded defensive players: Walker (40.2) and Taylor (45.1). Walker led the team with seven tackles, while Taylor had five. Walker had an impressive 77.8 tackling grade but was marked down in coverage (30.7). Taylor was marked down across the board in tackling (27.6), run defense (50.6), and coverage (51.3). Jones, competing for a coveted cornerback spot on the roster, had four tackles, earning a 78.2 tackling grade but was marked down in coverage (33.9).
| POLL | ||
21 AOUT | 51 ANSWERS Bears Preseason Evaluation: Top and Bottom Performers According to PFF Grades in Loss to Colts Are you pleased about the Bears' preseason game so far? | ||
| yes | 34 | 66.7 % |
| No | 17 | 33.3 % |
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