The Chicago Bears (1-1) were defeated by the Houston Texans (2-0) in a defensive battle 19-13 on Sunday Night Football in Week 2. While Chicago’s defense was able to contain Houston’s explosive offense, limiting them to just 19 points and one touchdown, the Bears’ offensive problems were too great to overcome.
Pro Football Focus assigned the player ratings of those involved in the snap in Chicago’s loss to Houston. 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 Teven Jenkins – 72.7
- RB Khalil Herbert – 68.7
- RB Travis Homer – 66.3
Jenkins was surprisingly Chicago’s highest-graded offensive player. Like the rest of the offensive line, he struggled in pass defense, earning a 59.8 grade. But he was solid in run blocking, earning a 76.1 grade. Speaking of the running game, Herbert was the second-highest-graded player in limited action. Herbert had just two runs for three yards and the offense’s first touchdown of the season, in addition to catching two balls for four yards. He earned high grades in both rushing (66.9) and passing (66.3). Meanwhile, Homer rounded out the top three on offense. He had one run for six yards, but he excelled as a pass blocker (86.1), which explains his high grade.
Attack of the lower 3
- TE Marcedes Lewis – 35.1
- TE Gerald Everett – 41.7
- QB Caleb Williams – 45.1
With Khari Blasingame out, Lewis doubled as a run blocker against the Texans. He received poor grades in both run blocking (53.3) and passing (57.4). Everett had two catches for one yard on two targets and struggled in Week 2. While he was solid as a pass blocker (75.3), he was downgraded in passing (42.8) and run blocking (34.9). For the second week in a row, Williams was among the lowest-graded offensive players. Although he had a solid first half, he threw two interceptions in the second half and struggled behind an offensive line. Williams, who completed 22 of 34 passes for 147 yards and was sacked seven times, was downgraded in passing (44.1).
Top 3 Defense
- LB Jack Sanborn – 91.2
- S Jaquan Brisker – 80,5
- DT Andrew Billings – 80.5
Sanborn was the highest-rated player on Chicago’s roster in Week 2. He totaled two tackles, including one tackle for a loss, a sack, a QB hit and a pass breakup. Sanborn received high ratings for tackling (75.9) and pass rush (79.3). Brisker, who had eight tackles, including one for a loss, was the highest-rated member of the Bears secondary. He received high ratings for tackling (83.8), coverage (77.0) and run defense (64.7). Billings, who had two tackles, rounded out the top three defensive performances. He received high ratings for pass rush (82.1) and run defense (65.7), but received a low rating for tackling (28.1).
Defending the bottom 3
- DE Austin Booker – 37.6
- CB Tyrique Stevenson – 41.5
- CB Jaylon Johnson – 54.6
Booker played 20 snaps against the Texans and totaled two tackles. He struggled in particular on the run game (31.5), but was rated highly in tackling (69.2) and pass rush (60.7). Last week’s reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week struggled against this Houston receiver corps. He totaled five tackles and one pass defense, but received poor ratings in tackling (28.5), run defense (34.8) and coverage (49.8). Johnson, who was the highest-rated cornerback last week, meanwhile was one of Chicago’s lowest-rated defenders. He was solid on the run game (64.4), but was rated poorly in tackling (23.2) and coverage (49.8).
Other celebrities
- LB Tremaine Edmunds – 73.7
- DE Montez Sweat – 73.1
- WR DJ Moore – 63.8
Edmunds had 11 total tackles against the Texans, including one tackle for a loss, and had one sack and one QB hit. He earned high ratings in run defense (84.7), tackling (82.9) and pass rush (68.9). Sweat had a quiet night and is still looking for his first sack of the season, but he had an early pass breakup. He posted a solid pass rush rating (71.4). Meanwhile, Moore led the Bears with six receptions for 53 yards on 10 targets. He posted a passer rating of 63.7.
