Snap counts, stats and more: Chicago Bears play their best game of the year

All statistics and snap counts are taken directly from the NFL's Game Statistic and Information System.

If the Chicago Bears had played like that in every game this season they’d probably be undefeated. It was a complete four quarter game by the Bears with excellent execution of the offensive and defensive game-plan. They were only penalized two times (to Minnesota’s 1) and that was about the only category where the Vikings held an advantage.

The Bears knocked off the NFC North leading Vikings by a score of 20 to 10. Chicago held the yardage advantage (403 to 258), they had more first downs (19 to 15), a better 3rd down efficiency (7/14-50% to 2/13-15%), although Minnesota did make both of their 4th down tries, and the Bears won the time of position battle (32:41 to 27:19).

Even though the Bears only won by 10 points, the flow of the game made it feel as though they were dominant.

Now on to the snap counts and individual stats

All snap counts will be in the ‘Player - total offensive/defensive snaps (percentage) - total special teams snaps (percentage)’ format.

Quarterback

J Cutler - 61 100%

The circumstances surrounding Jay Cutler’s “comeback” made his performance seem like one he’d like to hold on to for a while. He’s certainly had better games in his career, but after a rusty start (4 for 8 in the 1st quarter), he settled in to finish really strong. He ended the night 20 of 31 (64.5%) for 252 yards, with 1 TD pass and a 100.5 passer rating. He also had 1 run for 2 yards.

Offensive Line

T Larsen RG - 61 (100%) - 4 (15%)

B Massie RT - 61 (100%) - 4 (15%)

E Kush LG - 61 (100%) - 4 (15%)

C Leno LT 61 (100%) - 4 (15%)

C Whitehair C - 61 (100%)

I thought the game-plan by offensive coordinator Dowell Loggians was brilliantly written up to help out Chicago’s back up offensive guards. A successful running game helped him stick with the run, which let him call a lot of play action. There were screens, quick passes, a moving pocket and just enough shots downfield to keep the Vikes guessing all night long.

Minnesota’s pass rush accounted for 1 sack and 6 quarterback hits, and their D had 3 tackles for loss against the Bears.

Charles Leno was flagged for a false start.

Runningbacks

J Howard - 50 (82%)

K Carey - 6 (10%)

J Langford - 5 (8%)

I’m not sure if the plan was to use Jordan Howard on 82% of the snaps or if this was just a case of the Bears sticking with the hot hand. Whatever the reason, Howard took advantage and rumbled off 153 yards on 26 carries and a TD. He caught all 4 of the balls thrown his way for 49 yards.

Ka’Deem Carey had 2 runs for 3 yards and Jeremy Langford caught the lone pass intended for him for 11 yards and a first down.

Defensive tackle Mitch Unrein lined up for one play at fullback.

Wide Receivers

A Jeffery - 57 (93%) - 1 (4%)

C Meredith - 53 (87%) - 1 (4%)

J Bellamy - 16 (26%) - 17 (65%)

D Thompson - 14 (23%) - 3 (12%)

Alshon Jeffery led Bears’ wide outs with 8 targets, of which he caught 4 for 63 yards and his first TD on the season. Cameron Meredith caught 1 of 2 for 24 yards and Josh Bellamy caught 1 of 2 for 4 yards.

Deonte Thompson was targeted once and he had 1 kickoff return for 7 yards.

Tight Ends

Z Miller - 60 (98%) - 1 (4%)

L Paulsen - 35 (57%) - 7 (27%)

B Braunecker - 8 (13%) - 17 (65%)

Cutler was very active with his tights ends this week. Zach Miller led the team with 10 targets, 7 receptions and 88 yards. Logan Paulsen was targeted twice and he caught one for 5 yards, and Ben Braunecker caught the first pass of his NFL career (on 1 target), it went for 8 yards.

Special Teams

These players only appeared in the 3rd phase

S McManis - 22 (85%)

C Jones - 19 (73%)

J Timu - 15 (58%)

P O'Donnell - 9 (35%)

P Scales - 9 (35%)

C Barth - 9 (35%)

M Adams - 4 (15%)

C Edison - 4 (15%)

D Houston-Carson - 1 (4%)

Sherrick McManis had 1 tackle and Christian Jones had 1.

Conner Barth made both of his extra points and both of his field goals. He had 3 of his 5 kickoffs go for touchbacks and Chicago’s kick coverage held the Vikes to a 18 yard average on 2 returns.

Pat O’Donnell placed 3 of his 5 punts inside the 20 (he’s up to 9th in that category now), with a 44.4 average. Minnesota had 3 returns for 15 yards.

Cornerbacks

C LeBlanc - 60 (98%) - 7 (27%)

T Porter - 55 (90%) - 2 (8%)

D Bausby - 53 (87%)

D Hurst - 6 (10%) - 12 (46%)

Cre'Von LeBlanc received the start opposite Tracy Porter and he had 3 tackles. LeBlanc also had 3 punt returns for 26 yards. Porter had 6 tackles and he he did a nice job on Stefon Diggs.

When the Bears went to nickle it was usually De'Vante Bausby playing outside while LeBlanc moved to the slot corner, and Bausby had 4 tackles.

Demontre Hurst didn’t scratch the stat sheet.

Safeties

H Jones-Quartey - 60 (98%) - 11 (42%)

A Amos - 60 (98%) - 8 (31%)

C Prosinski - 4 (7%) - 20 (77%)

D Bush - 1 (2%) - 12 (46%)

Harold Jones-Quartey had 4 tackles on D and one more on special teams. Adrian Amos also had a ST tackle, but he had 5 tackles on D.

Chris Prosinski had a tackle on D and Deon Bush didn’t record any statistics.

Linebackers

J Freeman ILB - 61 (100%) - 2 (8%)

D Trevathan ILB - 58 (95%) - 2 (8%)

L Floyd OLB - 41 (67%) - 2 (8%)

W Young OLB - 36 (59%) - 1 (4%)

P McPhee OLB - 25 (41%) - 1 (4%)

S Acho OLB - 20 (33%) - 14 (54%)

N Kwiatkoski ILB - 2 (3%) - 17 (65%)

Jerrell Freeman led the Bears with 7 tackles. Danny Trevathan had 6 tackles and 2 passed defended.

Rookie OLB Leonard Floyd had 2 tackles, a sack, a TFL and a QBH. Pernell McPhee was credited with 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 4 QBH.

Sam Acho had a tackle and Willie Young had a PD. Nick Kwiatkoski did his damage in the 3rd phase with 2 tackles and a FF.

Defensive Line

M Unrein - 23 (38%) - 8 (31%)

A Hicks - 53 (87%) - 3 12%

J Bullard - 22 (36%) - 3 (12%)

C Washington - 19 (31%)

W Sutton - 12 (20%) - 6 (23%)

Akiem Hicks had another solid game, this time racking up 2 sacks, 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 QBH and a PD. Cornelius Washington had a sack, a tackle, 1 TFL, 2 QBH and a PD. He also had that silly unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for leaving the bench when no one realized the play was still alive.

Jonathan Bullard had a couple tackles and Will Sutton had a tackle.

Mitch Unrein had 2 tackles and that one play at fullback.

What are your thoughts on the numbers this week?