Bears vs Browns: Takeaways from the snap counts, stats, and more

Considering the level of excitement I had before that game, this was one of the most disappointed I’ve ever been after watching the Chicago Bears play. It’s not that they lost to the Cleveland Browns 23 to 6 — I expected them to lose — but it’s the fashion in which they lost with that awful and uninspired offensive game plan. Before this season I said that this would be a put-up-or-shut-up year for head coach Matt Nagy, and through three games I haven’t seen his offense put up a damn thing worth being excited about.

We all know what this week’s game plan should have had going for it, but Nagy felt no need to put in screens, bootlegs, max protect, play action, sprint outs, etc. to help out his young and athletic quarterback out.

Was this a case of ‘I know what the Browns think I’ll do so I’ll do the opposite’ from Nagy and his game plan this week?

Cleveland has a damn good defensive line, led by Myles Garrett, but what the Bears elected to do with their pass protection this week was inexcusable.

The Bears allowed 9 sacks which resulted in a loss of 67 yards, so that meant the Chicago Bears passing game picked up a grand total of 1 yard.

Overall the Bears gained just 47 yards to Cleveland’s 418 total yards. The Browns had the edge in first downs 26 to 6, total plays 78 to 42, third down efficiency 47.1% to 9.1%, and time of possession 39:34 to 20:26.

The Bears defense did what it could for as long as it could, but they just got worn down, and Chicago’s offense didn't pull it’s weight at all.

Now let’s take a closer look at the playing time break downs for the Bears and also some of their individual stats.

OFFENSE

Justin Fields is going to get criticized, but I’m not sure what he was supposed to do with the trash game plan the Bears gave him to work with. He was 6 of 20 passing for 68 yards, and a passer rating of 41.2, with 3 runs for 12 yards.

David Montgomery led the Bears in rushing with 34 yards on 10 attempts, and he caught 2 for 21 yards.

Allen Robinson was targeted 6 times and he caught 2 for 27 yards

Darnell Mooney had 1 reception for 9 yards and Cole Kmet had 1 for 11.

And that’s the entire offensive output.

Can someone tell me why Jimmy Graham is on this roster again?

DEFENSE

Roquan Smith’s 9 tackles led the Bears, and four players tied with 6 tackles each; Deon Bush (1 pass defended), Eddie Jackson, Bilal Nichols, and Duke Shelley.

Rookie Khyiris Tonga had 5 tackles as did Angelo Blackson who added a half a sack.

Robert Quinn had 1.5 sacks, 2 tackles, and 1 TFL, Mario Edwards Jr. had a sack, 2 tackles and a TFL, and Khalil Mack had 2 sacks, 2 tackles, and 2 TFL.

SPECIAL TEAMS*

*The above image has players that only played in the third phase.

Patrick O’Donnell punted 7 times for a 56.7 average (42.0 net).

Cairo Santos was a perfect 2 for 2 on fields goals, with a long of 47.

Nsimba Webster had 3 special teams tackles, and he had 4 yards on 2 punt returns and a fumble.

Khalil Herbert returned 4 kickoffs for 95 yards (23.8), and he had an assisted special teams tackle.

Damien Williams had 2 special teams tackles, and Caleb Johnson had a tackle and he recovered Webster’s fumble.

All statistics and snap counts are taken directly from the NFL’s Game Statistic and Information System, as are the accompanying pictures.

To check out the full Bears vs Browns box score I find that ESPN has an easy to navigate site.