Bears @ Jaguars
The Bears came into this game needing a win to keep their playoff destiny in their own hands, and the Jaguars came in needing a loss to keep a hold on the number one pick for the upcoming draft. As such, it was a little surprising that this game was so competitive in the first half. Each team scored on two of their first three drives, and they were tied at 10 heading into the end of the first half. Mitchell Trubisky drove the bears down the field and into field goal position before throwing an awful interception, but he was bailed out by a Mike Glennon interception after the Jaguars opted to play aggressively with only 24 seconds left in the half. The Bears were able to end the half with a field goal, and once they scored a touchdown to open the second half they never looked back. The Bears won 41 to 17, keeping their playoff hopes alive and allowing the Jaguars to clinch the number one overall pick in the draft.
Chicago Bears
Quarterback
Mitchell Trubisky: 24/35, 265 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 sack | 2 carries, 10 yards, 1 TD
Nick Foles: 0/1
Let’s start with the good for Mitchell Trubisky. He had a good statistical day, accounting for three total touchdowns, and he led his team to a comfortable win. Trubisky made a couple of nice throws and for the most part, limited his mistakes. The one mistake he did make though is easily one of the worst decisions I have ever seen a pro quarterback make.
3rd INT this season for @TheSchoGoesOn53!
📺:CBS | https://t.co/ipBIjeiLwZ#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/2KPDhpr4jU
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 27, 2020
In a tie game, on first down, in the red zone, with 35 seconds left in the half and a timeout in his pocket, Trubisky decided to throw what could generously be described as a jump ball. The ability to buy that extra time in the pocket is nice, but it is only worth something if you can make a good decision with that extra time. That type of throw should get you benched in a middle school game, let alone in the pros. From a fantasy perspective, Trubisky has been on a nice little tear against some bad defenses but he gets the Packers next week. If you’re playing for a title in Week 17, it is probably best to look elsewhere because Trubisky is still plenty capable of throwing his way to the bench.
Running Backs
David Montgomery: 23 carries, 95 yards, 1 TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 26 yards
Artavis Pierce: 2 carries, 26 yards, 1 TD
David Montgomery dominated the backfield touches for the Bears and was solid, if unspectacular. The Jaguars defense was not super interested in tackling, but they did prevent any huge gains in the running game. Montgomery punched in a short touchdown, and he had a 24-yard reception on a flat route where no defenders covered him, on his way to a productive fantasy outing.
Now walk it out, @MontgomerDavid!
📺: CBS#CHIvsJAX | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/Aw7zkoYgvc
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 27, 2020
Artavis Pierce got some snaps after the game was decided, and was rewarded after a nice run out of a Wildcat formation left him just short of the endzone by getting to cash in a short touchdown.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Allen Robinson: 13 targets, 10 receptions, 103 yards
Darnell Mooney: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 39 yards
Anthony Miller: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 10 yards
Jimmy Graham: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TDs
Cole Kmet: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 18 yards
Allen Robinson was great again today, making an acrobatic catch when necessary but mostly just abusing the defensive backs with his route running. Darnell Mooney had a tough drop early on, but the Bears went right back to him and he rewarded them by picking up a third-and-long. Jimmy Graham had a throwback performance, catching two touchdowns including this one where the defensive back did fall down but Graham still had to go full extension to get to the pass:
What goes up must come down – with @TheJimmyGraham.
TD ✌️ today.📺: CBS#CHIvsJAX | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/AfCD64DEPb
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 27, 2020
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Mike Glennon: 24/37, 211 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 1 sack
Mike Glennon followed the gameplan today, which was to make the Jaguars somewhat entertaining while also not coming close to winning so they would not risk losing their grasp on the number one pick in the upcoming draft. Glennon made one really great throw, a deep ball that he placed perfectly for a touchdown.
What a catch by @Viska2live 😮
📺:CBS | https://t.co/ipBIjeiLwZ#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/OJ8ppC3TIv
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 27, 2020
Glennon didn’t want to get carried away though, and threw two pretty bad interceptions including this one that immediately followed the aforementioned Trubisky interception:
.@Grindin_59 sniffs it out, @RoquanSmith1 takes care of the rest.
📺: CBS#CHIvsJAX | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/MEtvMxWVev
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 27, 2020
Glennon was good enough to let his receivers have nice fantasy outings, but if you need a quarterback for Week 17 you can certainly do better.
Running Backs
Dare Ogunbowale: 14 carries, 71 yards | 5 targets, 3 receptions, 7 yards
Craig Reynolds: 1 carry, 4 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards
Devine Ozigbo: 1 carry, 1 yard | 1 target, 1 reception, 3 yards
With James Robinson held out due to injury (tanking), it was Dare Ogunbowale who handled the load for the Jaguars today. He was fine, but for someone with a reputation of being a good pass catcher, he was a bit of a let down in that area today. He definitely did not do enough to carve out a more regular role once Robinson returns, and as soon as JRob is back no other player in this backfield will be fantasy relevant.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
D.J. Chark: 7 targets, 4 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD
Laviska Shenault Jr.: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD
Chris Conley: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 27 yards
Keelan Cole: 4 targets, 3 reception, 26 yards
Tyler Eifert: 5 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards
Laviska Shenault Jr. caught the above touchdown, and while it was a nice throw it may have been an even better catch. Shenault also had an impressive play where a defender who was trying to tackle him just bounced off. Coming into the NFL this year we knew Shenault was a great athlete, and he seems like a great candidate to break out next season if the Jacksonville quarterback situation improves dramatically. D.J. Chark also made a really nice touchdown catch, simultaneously going up over the defender for the ball and getting both his feet down in-bounds.
That #ToeDragSwag for the @DJChark82 touchdown 👀
📺:CBS | https://t.co/wXsPRg81WJ#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/f0FpG9P6th
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) December 27, 2020
— Dan Adams (@dadams0323 on Twitter)