The Chicago Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 34-21 in their final preseason game on Thursday night to improve their record to 4-0. Even though the regulars weren’t on the field, there was plenty to watch as players fought for jobs and spots on the roster.
Pro Football Focus has assigned the player ratings of those who handled the ball in Chicago’s win over Kansas City. We broke them down by offense and defense, analyzing the three highest and lowest rated players on each side, as well as some other notable performers.
There were a few surprises — and then a few less — in terms of the highest and lowest-rated players on both offense and defense. Here’s a look:
Top 3 Attack
- LG Bill Murray – 91.3
- C Doug Kramer – 80.2
- RB Velus Jones Jr. – 77.3
Murray played 58 snaps at left guard, making him the highest-rated offensive player on the roster. He excelled in both run blocking (91.9) and pass protection (86.6). Kramer played 22 reps at center, earning high ratings in run blocking (80.9) and pass protection (80.1). Jones had 13 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown, earning a run rating of 76.7.
Attack of the lower 3
- RB Travis Homer – 43.8
- WR John Jackson III – 45.7
- TE Stephen Carlson – 52.5
Homer started at running back, where he was the lowest-rated offensive player. He managed four total runs for 13 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per run, and did not have a single catch on two targets. Homer received a run rating of 50.8 and a pass rating of 27.9. Jackson had two catches for nine yards on three targets and was rated poorly in passing (46.7) and run blocking (37.9). Carlson played nine snaps, where he was rated poorly in passing (52.1) and run blocking (60.1).
Top 3 Defense
- S Tarvarius Moore – 86.9
- DE Austin Booker – 86.1
- DE Khalid Kareem – 85.4
Moore, the Bears’ top-rated defensive lineman, had six tackles, including a crucial tackle that led to a loss of yardage on fourth down early in the game. He received high ratings in coverage (80.9) and run defense (71.8). Booker continued his strong preseason, totaling one tackle and one QB hit in 16 snaps. He received strong ratings in pass rush (82.5), tackling (69.2) and run defense (66.5). Kareem also had a strong game, totaling two tackles, one QB hit and one pass breakup. He received high ratings in pass rush (85.1), tackling (71.7) and run defense (65.3).
Defending the bottom 3
- DT Keith Randolph Jr. – 36.1
- CB Josh Blackwell – 40.1
- LB Noah Sewell – 41.1
Randolph, who had just one tackle in 20 reps, was the lowest-rated defensive lineman. He received poor marks for tackling (26.0) and run defense (34.8). Blackwell, who had 25 snaps, received poor marks in all areas for tackling (23.1), coverage (41.4) and run defense (51.2). Sewell, who had just one tackle in 19 reps, received poor marks for tackling (21.1), run defense (48.2), coverage (50.5) and pass rush (59.4).
Other celebrities
- CB Reddy Steward – 78.0
- DE Daniel Hardy – 74.5
- QB Tyson Bagent – 72.0
- WR Tyler Scott – 66.5
Steward had his best game of the preseason with two interceptions in critical situations, including a pick-6, earning him high grades in coverage (89.0) and tackling (77.5). Hardy continues to have a strong chance of making the roster and had four tackles and one tackle for loss. He received high grades in tackling (73.6), run defense (68.4) and pass rush (67.7). Bagent got the starting lineup at quarterback and led the Bears to an impressive touchdown drive on the first possession. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 57 yards and a rushing touchdown. He received high grades in passing (66.1) and rushing (64.4). Scott just missed a 100-yard game, led the team with six catches for 99 yards and earned a passing grade of 65.0.
