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Bears PFF grades: Best and worst performers in Week 6 loss vs. Packers

Alyssa Barbieri
·5 min read
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The Chicago Bears suffered another frustrating defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, where Chicago wasn’t able to do enough in the 24-14 loss. It was especially frustrating given the Packers didn’t play great, but they did enough to win as the Bears fell to 3-3 on the season.

Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in the Bears’ win, and we broke them down by offense and defense, analyzing the three highest- and lowest-graded players on each side.

There were a few surprises in terms of the highest- and lowest-graded players, both on offense and defense.

Top 3 offense

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Peters has been one of Chicago’s better offensive linemen this season, and he earned the top grade in Sunday’s loss to Green Bay. Peters earned strong grades in both pass protection (84.2) and run blocking (88.9), and it looks like he’s getting better with each passing week as he works back into game shape.

One of the biggest surprises from Sunday was the emergence of Kmet, who had his best game of the season following a disappointing five-game start. Kmet had four receptions for 49 yards, a career high, and seems to be developing a nice chemistry with Justin Fields. Here’s hoping this is the beginning of Kmet’s continued development.

With David Montgomery and Damien Williams sidelined, Herbert made his starting debut, and he was one of the bright spots on offense for a run game that continues to thrive. Herbert had 19 carries for 97 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and a touchdown. Herbert isn’t as high as you’d expect in these grades due to his blocking struggles.

Bottom 3 offense

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

The Bears pass game has been the worst in the NFL this season, so it’s hard enough to get guys like Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney going yet along a fourth-string wideout like Byrd. Byrd hasn’t been involved much on offense this season, but he was targeted once — an incompletion — against the Packers.

After missing a game due to a personal reason, James returned to the lineup on Sunday. James played 11 snaps on offense, but he wasn’t involved in the passing game, serving primarily as a blocker. Considering James is someone Fields has some chemistry with from the offseason, it might be a good idea to get him involved in the passing game. Then again, it was a surprise Kmet, their top tight end, was actually a focal point this week.

Mustipher has been the Bears’ worst offensive lineman this season. Aside from a top-3 offensive grade last week, Mustipher has been among the bottom-graded offensive linemen this season. Mustipher had a poor snap that was fumbled and recovered by Khalil Herbert. Mustipher has proven himself to be a capable backup, but the Bears need to look for a new center next offseason.

Top 3 defense

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Trevathan was the Bears’ highest-graded defensive player at 91.6. But that might’ve had more to do with his limited reps than anything. Trevathan played just 15% of snaps in rotation with Alec Ogletree, who played 75% on Sunday, where he had three tackles.

Smith remains one of the best inside linebackers in the game, and he proved that again Sunday against the Packers. Smith continues to be one of the best tackles, notching another team-high 12 tackles in Sunday’s loss, and delivering some big hits.

Nichols, who’s in the middle of a contract year, had another solid game, where he notched two tackles and earned solid grades against the run and in tackling.

Bottom 3 defense

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

  • CB Jaylon Johnson – 28.2

  • ILB Alec Ogletree – 28.8

  • S Tashaun Gipson – 37.8

Johnson had been one of PFF’s highest-graded cornerbacks this season. But then, Davante Adams happened. This was dubbed one of the matchups to watch Sunday given both are among the top at their position, but this game served as a reminder that Johnson still has a long way to go to become an elite cornerback. Johnson did well against Adams on the outside. But when the Packers moved Adams into the slot, and Johnson followed, it wasn’t good. Adams finished with four receptions for 89 yards on five targets.

With Danny Trevathan’s return, Ogletree remains the starter at linebacker opposite Roquan Smith, as he played 75% of defensive reps on Sunday. While he was solid in coverage, he struggled against the run and tackling, which were the biggest issues for the Bears defense.

While the Bears were confident about their starting safety duo with Eddie Jackson and Gipson, it’s been far from impressive on the field. Gipson was among the worst-graded defensive players with a slew of missed tackles, including one that went for a touchdown.

Other notables

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

  • RT Elijah Wilkinson – 51.8

  • QB Justin Fields – 60.7

  • OLB Khalil Mack – 72.1

  • DT Akiem Hicks – 66.1

Fields had his good moments and his bad moments, which is to be expected from a rookie. While he continues to struggle holding onto the ball too long and missing some reads, he showed good command of the offense on a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive that cut their deficit to 17-14. He showed good awareness on a no-call offsides, when he decided to try to make a big play rather than check it down. There’s still plenty of room for growth, but he’s making progress with each game.

When the Bears lost Germain Ifedi for at least three games to a knee injury, there was confidence in Wilkinson to step up to the plate. But it was a rough go of it for Wilkinson, who had some lazy blocking at times.

Both Mack and Hicks were banged up heading into Sunday’s game, but they still made a big impact in bringing pressure on Aaron Rodgers. Mack and Hicks each recorded a sack, but it was clear they were still banged up as they sat out some plays.

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