Bears Grades: Linebackers superb at precisely right times

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The Bears benefitted from running back Jamaal Charles going out with a suspected torn ACL in the second half but the Bears were able to mount superb defensive efforts at precisely right times.

Examples: Christian Jones and Sam Acho delivered run stops of running back Charcandrick West on successive plays in the fourth quarter to set up a three-and-out that returned the football to the Bears’ offense for what would be the winning touchdown drive. Jones was credited with six tackles and a pass broken up; Acho broke up a pass in addition to being credited with five solo tackles in initial press box statistics.

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Jones’ pass breakup came on a third-down conversion attempt with a perfectly timed leveling of tight end Travis Kelce. Jones also was tasked with taking over the defensive signal-calling after Shea McClellin was forced to the locker room with a knee injury.

“Christian did real good,” said defensive end Jarvis Jenkins. “Even when Shea’s in there, Christian is really good communicating, so he got the calls out, we got lined up and he did really good.”

Pernell McPhee produced his third sack of the season at precisely the right time, coming back around with a second-effort takedown of Alex Smith on a third down in the Bears’ end and forcing Kansas City to punt with the Bears already down 11 points.

McClellin badly overran a tackle opportunity against Charles, turning a short game into one of 26 yards but contributed five tackles before his knee injury.

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In his stead, recently acquired LaRoy Reynolds contributed three solo tackles in relief, including one for a loss.

“I’m just extremely grateful," said Reynolds. "I kept my faith and just tried to make the plays within how the coaches set up the defense and I was really happy to be able to communicate.”

Moon's Grade: A

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