{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Quarterbacks: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Trubisky_M_USATSI_15364854_168392293_lowres_1.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609101987,"caption":"

The Bears’ run/pass balance was out of whack in the first half – 11 rushes to 20 throws – and it showed in Trubisky’s disjointed play early on. He threw a terrible interception in the back of the end zone and the offense managed just one touchdown in the first 30 minutes.

The second half was much better for Trubisky and the entire offense, though. With Montgomery carrying 15 times for 59 yards, Trubisky completed 12 of 15 passes, threw a touchdown and rushed for another as the Bears’ lead swelled to a blowout.

What we saw against Jacksonville, then, was what we already knew about Trubisky: He plays well when he has help, and doesn’t play well when he doesn’t have help. The Bears need to make sure he has help (as in: An effective run game and Allen Robinson playing at a high level) next weekend against the Packers if they want to ensure a spot in the playoffs.

"},{"title":"Running backs: A","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Montgomery_D_USATSI_15365262_168392293_lowres_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102665,"caption":"

Montgomery ripped off a 26-yard run on his third carry of the game, but was otherwise bottled up in the first half, gaining 10 yards on his other seven carries. Matt Nagy and Bill Lazor stuck with Montgomery after halftime, though, and it paid off. Montgomery now has over 1,000 rushing yards this season, a testament to his toughness, agility, balance and vision, which all shined in Jacksonville on Sunday.

Undrafted rookie Artavis Pierce scored his first career touchdown, which came one play after he gashed a 23-yard run in the second half. Cordarrelle Patterson, nursing a knee injury, did not play a single snap on offense.

"},{"title":"Wide receivers: A","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Robinson_A_USATSI_15365613_168392293_lowres_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102700,"caption":"

Sunday was one of my favorite games I’ve seen Allen Robinson play in a Bears uniform. Eight of his 10 catches resulted in a first down; the two that didn’t set up fourth downs the Bears went for and converted (one with a throw to Robinson). Robinson’s ability to set up his routes with crisp inside or outside releases made him almost un-guardable when the Bears needed a play to be made. He now has 100 receptions and consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for the first time in his career. There’s no question in my mind that he’s a top-10 wide receiver in the NFL, and he’ll get paid as such next spring – either by the Bears or some other team.

Darnell Mooney had another solid game, snagging four passes for 39 yards, while Anthony Miller was quiet yet again with just two catches on three targets for 10 yards.

"},{"title":"Tight ends: A-","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Graham_J_Bears_TD_USATSI_15365281_168392293_lowres_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102757,"caption":"

Jimmy Graham now has eight touchdowns on the season and has settled in nicely to a TE2 role lately. He’s having a similar season to what he did in 2017 with the Seattle Seahawks, when he made the Pro Bowl:

2017: 57 catches, 520 yards, 10 TDs, 9.1 yards/reception

2020: 48 catches, 451 yards, 8 TDs, 9.4 yards/reception

Graham has been an excellent red zone threat all year but over the last few games, the Bears have honed in on a better role for him in between the 20’s, too. He’s been fine this year overall.

Cole Kmet played 67 of the Bears’ 72 snaps and is clearly the team’s most trusted tight end right now, allowing Graham to slide into a more suitable role in the offense. Kmet would’ve caught a 38-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter had Trubisky not overthrown him. And it’s not Kmet’s fault the Bears liked that awful sweep play so much.

"},{"title":"Offensive line: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Whitehair_C_USATSI_15364853_168392293_lowres_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102795,"caption":"

The first half wasn’t particularly impressive for a group that’s played well as of late, but things turned around for Juan Castillo’s guys in the second half. A massive test looms next weekend against the Green Bay Packers, whose front overwhelmed the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line on Sunday Night Football.

"},{"title":"Defensive line: B-","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Glennon_M_Bears_D_U_SATSI_15365318_168392293_lowres_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102823,"caption":"

Things were a little too comfortable for Jacksonville in the first half – save for a fiery first few plays from Akiem Hicks – but Bilal Nichols turned in another stellar game, especially in the second half. He nearly had his second interception of the year, which would’ve been a pick-six if he could’ve hung on to the ball. Mario Edwards Jr. and John Jenkins both played well in limited snaps, too.

"},{"title":"Outside linebackers: D","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Gipson_Tr_USATSI_15364857_168392293_lowres_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102851,"caption":"

Mike Glennon was only under pressure on four his 34 dropbacks, per Pro Football Focus, and Khalil Mack failed to record a pressure for just the second time in a Bears uniform. Robert Quinn was a non-factor, halting what had been a fairly effective three-game stretch for the $70 million free agent. Rookie Trevis Gipson missed a tackle on running back Dare Ogunbowale that spring a 25-yard gain in the first quarter.

"},{"title":"Inside linebackers: A+","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Smith_R_USATSI_15365285_168392293_lowres_0.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102886,"caption":"

Roquan Smith picked off Glennon twice in what was one of his best games of 2020. While he didn’t get a Pro Bowl nod, he still should get some All-Pro buzz with the way he’s played. Danny Trevathan landed the only sack on his ex-teammate Glennon and assisted Smith’s second interception.

"},{"title":"Cornerbacks: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Vildor_K_USATSI_15365570_168392293_lowres.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102959,"caption":"

Kindle Vildor was beat by D.J. Chark for a 20-yard touchdown in the first half, but the Jaguars weren’t able to get many more mis-matches against the rookie fifth round pick the rest of the day. Duke Shelley had a solid game in the slot, holding Laviska Shenault and Keelan Cole to two catches for eight yards when Glennon threw his way.

"},{"title":"Safeties: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Gipson_Ta_USATSI_15365485_168392293_lowres.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609102992,"caption":"

DeAndre Houston-Carson and Tashaun Gipson both made nice plays in the first half, while Glennon had no interest in throwing near Eddie Jackson, who was not targeted on Sunday. Jackson did have a pretty rough missed tackle on a running play in the first half, though.

"},{"title":"Special Teams: B+","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Patterson_C_USATSI_15364519_168392293_lowres.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609103019,"caption":"

Cairo Santos was automatic, again, hitting field goals from 20 and 40 yards – with that 40-yarder sending the Bears into halftime with a lead. DeAndre Carter absorbed a violent (and penalized) hit on a punt return and had a solid day, averaging 8.3 yards per return on three attempts.

"},{"title":"Coaching: B","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Nagy_M_USATSI_15365391_168392293_lowres.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1609103046,"caption":"

The run play to Cole Kmet was a disaster, and Bill Lazor’s playcalling got away from him a bit in the first half with David Montgomery not getting the ball enough. But Nagy’s decision to go for it on fourth and five on the Bears’ first drive after halftime felt like a spark; the Bears went on to score 21 points in the third quarter after it.

Nagy’s job is almost certainly safe at this point for 2021. The combination of giving up playcalling, fitting an offense to Trubisky’s skillset, keeping his locker room together, not having a losing record in three years and playing a meaningful game in Week 17 will all be enough to save his job.

"}]}

Bears vs. Jaguars grades: Allen Robinson shows why he's top-10 WR in NFL