Here's where the arrows are pointing after the Bears' 35-16 loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
There’s no feeling in sports quite like falling into a playoff berth. On one hand, the Bears are back in the playoffs after being left for dead a month ago. It’s impressive! On the other hand, they just got outclassed by the Packers for, like, the 150th straight time. It’s less impressive! Here’s where the arrows are pointing after the Bears’ 35-16 loss:
Arrow Down – Duke Shelley
Was there really any doubt this was going to happen? Shelley very well may be a capable corner for the Bears one day, but he was badly exposed on Sunday afternoon. Shelley was (rightfully) called for a PI in the first quarter that not only gave the Packers an automatic first down on third and five, but moved the ball all the way up to the Bears’ seven. The second-year corner got burned again only two plays later – this time on a three-yard Robert Tonyan touchdown catch. We won’t even talk about the touchdown ball that Marquez Valdez-Scantling dropped in the 3rd quarter. Starting CB4 against this offense was never going to go especially well, but the Bears (see: Chuck Pagano) really had no plan for how often Rodgers and the Packers went after Shelley.
Arrow Up – Darnell Mooney
The breakout game arrived! Before leaving with an ankle injury at the start of the 4th quarter, Mooney had put up 93 yards on 11 (!!) receptions, including a b-e-a-utiful 53-yard connection in the 3rd quarter (you know, the one that led to the Bears kicking a field goal, from the two-yard line, down eight). He was huge on an afternoon where Allen Robinson (two catches, 37 yards) was quite literally left out in the cold.
Arrow Down – Chuck Pagano
Kyle Fuller is great at what he does, but at some point he’s gotta shadow Adams, right? Did they really need to see what an entire half of soft zone looked like? Why was Danny Trevathan playing man coverage Valdez-Scantling – and his 4.3 speed – in the slot? Spending all week talking about how you’re going to ‘unload the chamber’ only to have Aaron Rodgers literally not throw one incomplete pass the entire first half (10/10) is a tough look.
Arrow Up – David Montgomery
No one suffers seemingly terrible injuries only to bounce back like, four plays later quite like Montgomery. After getting his knee twisted up on a tackle in the first quarter, it looked like the Bears were in for a heavy dose of Ryan Nall and Artavis Pierce. Instead, Montgomery returned minutes later and picked up right where he left off – which was, basically, being the Bears’ best offensive option. He finished the game with 127 total yards (69 rushing, 63 receiving) and a touchdown. Someone find that man an ice tub.
Arrow Down – Mitch Trubisky
It wasn’t the worst game he’s ever played, but the Bears needed Trubisky to be better on Sunday. He finished 32/41 with 249 yards, but none of it felt particularly impactful. The game was probably cooked by the time he threw his 4th quarter interception into the hands of old friend Adrian Amos, but Trubisky needs to be leagues better if they want to have any chance at beating New Orleans on the road next week.
Arrow Up Hon. Mention – Sean McVay, John Wolford, Leonard Floyd
Arrow Down Hon. Mention – Eddie Jackson, the pass rush, playing tackle football in cold weather
