Snap counts, stats and more: Chicago Bears fail to play 60 minutes again

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

In a few years, if I ever decide to look back on the 2016 season for the Chicago Bears, the two things I’ll remember are the high number of injuries and the teams inability to play 60 minutes of football. Injuries are just one of those unfortunate things and the failure to play a full game is directly related to playing so many backups.

(Be sure you peruse WCG for all the latest on the numerous injury and suspension news that broke today.)

Maybe in a few years, when young players like Eric Kush, Ben Braunecker, Cameron Meredith, Deon Bush and Cre'Von LeBlanc are key contributors to the Bears success (fingers crossed), we’ll also look back on 2016 and remember the valuable experience these players gained as the Bears are rolling towards the post season.

These inconsistent Bears led 16-9 at the half, having outgained the Giants by 68 yards. They had three more first downs than the Giants and also led in time of possession by nearly 4 minutes the 1st half.

But in the 2nd half the Bears only gained 101 more yards, and they ended up losing in total yardage 329 to 315. New York also ended up leading in first downs 19 to 17. N.Y. was slightly better in 3rd down conversions, 5-14 for 36% to 4-12 for 33%, but they were successful on both of their 4th down tires.

Neither team was penalized much, but the Bears were hit with more (5 for 40 yards to 4 for 35).

The Giants also closed the time of possession gap, but still fell short of the Bears’ (30:29 to 29:31). Yay!

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.

QB

J Cutler - 64 (100%)

Jay Cutler had a very efficient first half, going 11 of 14 for 126 yards, 1 touchdown and a 128.0 passer rating. He also wasn’t sacked once. In the 2nd half the Giants started to get to Cutler, sacking him 4 times in the final quarter. Cutler went 6 for 16 for 108 yards, an interception and a passer rating of 35.4 in the 2nd half.

His overall numbers were 17 of 30 for 252 yards, with 1 TD and 1 Int, and a 81.5 passer rating. He fumbled once, but the Bears recovered, and he also had 1 run for 3 yards.

OL

C Leno LT - 64 (100%) - 4 (14%)

M Adams RT - 64 (100%) - 4 (14%)

T Larsen RG - 64 (100%) - 4 (14%)

C Whitehair C - 64 (100%) - 1 (3%)

J Sitton LG - 38 (59%) - 3 (10%)

E Kush LG - 26 (41%) - 4 (14%)

The Giants’ defense had 4 sacks, 6 QBH, 7 TFL and they held the Bears to 3.7 yards per carry.

Ted Larsen and Mike Adams each got hit with a holding penalty.

RB

J Howard - 46 (72%)

J Langford - 18 (28%)

P Lasike - 10 (16%) - 5 (17%)

Chicago’s running game was a tale of 2 halves too, with them racking up 88 yards on 17 carries in the 1st, but only 5 yards on 8 rushes in the 2nd.

Jordan Howard ended up with 17 rushing attempts for 77 yards. He also caught 1 of the 8 passes thrown his way for a 22 yard gain.

Jeremy Langford had a rushing TD and 8 yards on 6 carries. In the passing game he was targeted 3 times, catching all 3 for 30 yards.

Fullback Paul Lasike had 1 run for 5 yards.

WR

C Meredith - 56 (88%)

M Wilson - 29 (45%)

E Royal - 25 (39%) - 5 (17%)

J Bellamy - 22 (34%) - 21 (72%)

D Thompson - 22 (34%) - 11 (38%)

Cameron Meredith caught 4 of 4 for 49 yards, Josh Bellamy caught 2 of 2 for 32 yards, and in his return from the PUP list, Marquess Wilson was targeted 4 times, catching 1 for 35 yards. Meredith was also flagged for an illegal shift.

Deonte Thompson snagged the only ball thrown his way for 10 yards, while also returning 4 kickoffs for 116 yards. Eddie Royal caught 2 of 3 for 13 yards, and he also returned 3 punts for 12 yards.

TE

L Paulsen - 33 (52%) - 11 (38%)

B Braunecker - 30 (47%) - 22 (76%)

Z Miller - 29 (45%) - 3 (10%)

Zach Miller seemed like he was about to have a career day before breaking his foot. He had a TD on 3 receptions (3 targets) and 61 yards in the first half.

Logan Paulsen was targeted one time.

Special Teams

These players only appeared in the 3rd phase

N Kwiatkoski - 21 (72%)

C Jones - 20 (69%)

K Carey - 17 (59%)

H Jones-Quartey - 14 (48%)

P O'Donnell - 10 (34%)

P Scales - 10 (34%)

C Barth - 8 (28%)

C Edison - 4 (14%)

Christian Jones assisted on a tackle and long snapper Patrick Scales had a tackle.

Conner Barth made 1 of 2 extra points and 1 of 2 field goals. Chicago’s kick coverage gave up a 28.3 yards on 3 returns including a 46 yarder.

Patrick O’Donnell punted 6 times for a 48.2 average (45.8 net avg) with 2 punts placed inside the 20.

CB

B Callahan - 66 (99%) - 1 (3%)

T Porter - 66 (99%)

D Hurst - 40 (60%) - 14 (48%)

C LeBlanc - 26 (39%)

S McManis - 1 (1%) - 25 (86%)

Bryce Callahan had 5 tackles and a PD in is return form his hamstring injury. Tracy Porter had 2 tackles and 2 PD, and a defensive holding penalty. Cre'Von LeBlanc had 4 tackles and Demontre Hurst had 3 tackles and a PD on D and another tackle on special teams.

Sherrick McManis had three tackles in the 3rd phase.

S

D Bush - 67 (100%) - 6 (21%)

A Amos - 67 (100%) - 4 (14%)

C Prosinski - 1 (1%) - 25 (86%)

Rookie Deon Bush received the first start of his career and he tallied 7 tackles. Adrian Amos had 6 tackles and a PD on defense and another tackle on ST.

Chris Prosinski was flagged for offensive holding while performing on special teams.

LB

J Freeman ILB - 67 (100%) - 4 (14%)

D Trevathan ILB - 67 (100%)

L Floyd OLB - 52 (78%)

W Young OLB - 43 (64%) - 4 (14%)

P McPhee OLB - 26 (39%)

S Acho OLB - 13 (19%) - 22 (76%)

Jerrell Freeman had 10 tackles and a PD and Danny Trevathan had 11 tackles.

Willie Young had 3 tackles, Leonard Floyd had 2 tackles and a TFL, Sam Acho had a tackle and a forced fumble and Pernell McPhee had 1 tackle, 1 TFL, 1 QBH and zero asses tore up.

DL

A Hicks - 60 (90%) - 4 (14%)

C Washington - 40 (60%)

J Bullard - 19 (28%) - 4 (14%)

C Wilson - 16 (24%) - 4 (14%)

Akiem Hicks had 5 tackles and a QBH, Cornelius Washington had 2 tackles and rookie Jonathan Bullard had 1 tackle. The newly signed C.J. Wilson had 3 tackles and 2 QBH.

What are your thoughts on the numbers this week?