Grading Justin Fields, offense, defense in Browns loss

Schrock’s Bears Report Card: Grading Justin Fields, offense, defense in Browns loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Bears had everything in their grasp Sunday in Cleveland: a marquee win, a defensive statement, and their playoff destiny.

Dread it, run from it: A Bears collapse arrives all the same.

The Bears led the Browns 17-7 entering the fourth quarter. Chicago’s defense had suffocated Browns quarterback Joe Flacco and even gave the offense a boost by providing a pick-six and another interception return that set them up at the Cleveland 1-yard line.

But for the third time this season, the Bears threw up on themselves and gave up a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead.

After the Browns scored 13 unanswered points to take the lead, quarterback Justin Fields’ Hail Mary attempt was intercepted after wide receiver Darnell Mooney couldn’t secure what would have been a miraculous game-winning grab.

Final score: Browns 20, Bears 17

The Bears’ playoff hopes aren’t mathematically dashed. But that dream is after another late-game collapse.

What follows is a report card from a collapse that had no business happening:

Passing offense

There was very little positive from Sunday’s offensive performance.

Some might say it’s OK to grade them on a curve, given the quality of the opponent. But the Browns’ defense entered Sunday surrendering 27.5 points to teams above .500 while only giving up 13.7 points to teams at or below that mark.

Whether or not you can effectively move the ball and score on the Browns is a good barometer for what kind of offense you have.

The Bears didn’t pass it.

Fields finished the game 19-for-40 for 166 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, both of which came on Hail Mary attempts.

Fields played efficient football in the first half. He kept the negative plays to a minimum and took shots downfield. He threw a beautiful pass to Robert Tonyan that would have been a 73-yard touchdown that Tonyan cold-dropped.

The offensive line got…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/schrocks-bears-report-card-grading-040957343.html

Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2023-12-18 04:09:57

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.