Sam's Grading the Pack Week 4: "A" is for Aaron, and the Bears Still Suck
The Packers last had the advantage in this all-time series in 1932. Now, the Packers have a 95-94-6 record against the Bears, and I don't think they're losing that advantage anytime soon. Growing up in Green Bay, one of the constants of life was no matter what, "The Bears Still Suck." That being said, I still remember the epic NFC Championship game win in 2011 and the highly contested December games that usually determined one of the two teams was making the playoffs (it was always us). This Bears team, however, is nothing like the Bears teams I grew up rooting against. Their defense CAN play well, but they also blow coverage more often than not on any down field threat. Both Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen are good running backs, but Mike Glennon is a liability at QB and they're refusing to put in Mitch Trubisky for god knows what reason. The receiving core is a joke, and they can't kick an easy field goal. Don't get me wrong, the Packers played tremendously, but this Chicago Bears team and Mike Glennon's four turnovers just by himself were much more responsible for the outcome than anything the Packers did.
OVERALL: B-
Offense: B- QB/RB: B+ WR/TE: B OL: C
Defense: C+ DL: C LB: B DB: C+ Special Teams: B
BEST GRADE:
A: Aaron Rodgers, QB; and Jordy Nelson, WR
If it weren't for the lack of yards, Aaron Rodgers would have had an A+ game. His QBR was 79.6, his Passer Rating 128, and he had 4 Touchdowns and zero interceptions. Hell, he got me 31 fantasy points too. His completion rate was just about 70% and neither of the two sacks were his fault. He had a fantastic game, he just didn't have a ton of production needed to win the game. Jordy Nelson had 4 receptions for 75 Yards and 2 Touchdown catches, staying consistent with his All-Pro form so far this year, but a couple of dumb drops prevented him from getting to that A+ mark.
WORST GRADE:
F: Justin McCray, RT
I'm not even surprised at this point. I was honestly expecting Lucas Patrick, the fill-in Left Guard when Lane Taylor moved over to Left Tackle, to join him on this list, but Patrick held his own. Justin McCray, however, proved once again why he shouldn't be seeing a single snap on an NFL football field. Both of the two sacks were his responsibility, and the only time he was able to prevent Leonard Floyd from doing damage was when a Tight End was able to help out or Right Guard Jahri Evans slid over. Let's hope that the ten-day rest will be enough time for both David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga to suit up come the Cowboys game.
Honorable Mentions: A-: Lane Taylor, LT
Yes, you read that right, an offensive lineman played well enough to get into the "A" range. Lane Taylor had a good season last year filling in for the surprising cut Josh Sitton, but that was at Left Guard. He surprisingly slid over to Left Tackle with David Bakhtiari out and Jason Spriggs and Kyle Murphy on Injured Reserve. What's even more surprising is how well he played. He didn't let a single loose rusher get to Aaron Rodgers on his blind side. There's a reason why Left Tackles get drafted so high and make so much money compared to other lineman, and Lane Taylor did exactly that. If David Bakhtiari has to miss any more time this season, I don't want to see anyone else play that coveted role other than Lane Taylor.
MVP Watch: In order to qualify for the MVP race in my grading system, you have to play at least 70% of your team's snaps over the course of the season. Now that he's played nearly every offensive snap in three of the four games, Jordy Nelson qualifies and is undoubtedly the best player so far this season. In 3 games, he has 17 Receptions for 206 Yards and FIVE touchdowns. Yes, that means he's on pace to get 20 Touchdowns on the season. He's Aaron Rodgers' favorite target, and when Aaron gets enough blocking to make a play on his own accord, Jordy is the first person he looks for - and clearly for a good reason. Jordy's 4.06 GPA puts him at an "A" for the season, meaning he's as good as anybody out there. Last week's leading candidate Mason Crosby is now in second with a 3.46 GPA, with Aaron Rodgers close behind in third with a 3.42 GPA.
STATS OVERVIEW:
Passing = Rodgers: A (18/26, 179 Yds, 4 TD; 1 Rush, -1 Yds)
Rushing = Montgomery: C+ (5 Rush, 28 Yds); Williams: C (4 Rush, 11 Yds); A. Jones: B+ (13 Rush, 49 Yds, 1 TD)
Receiving = Nelson: A (4 Rec, 75 Yds, 2 TDs); Cobb: B+ (4 Rec, 44 Yds, 1 TD), Adams: B (2 Rec, 13 Yds, 1 TD); Bennett: C+ (6 Rec, 39 Yds)
Defense = 2 INTs (Clinton-Dix, Brice), 1 Sack (Matthews), 1 Fumble Forced (Matthews), 2 Fumbles Recovered (Ryan, Martinez)
Question? Comments? Concerns? General Feedback? Think Danny Trevathan should be suspended? Let me know!!
Thank you and God Bless,
Samuel R. Fuller
