Giants @ Bears
Final Score: Bears 29, Giants 3
Writer: Mike Miklius (@SIRL0INofBEEF on Twitter)
There are only three types of people who watched this game: Bears fans, Giants fans, and people who longingly miss the 1950s. With Andy Dalton and Mike Glennon starting, no one expected a shootout. Well, we were still underwhelmed. Glennon was sacked and lost a fumble on the Giants’ first possession, he threw a pick on the second possession, and the G-men were quickly down 14-0. They went into halftime down 22-3–finishing the half by getting safetied with less than a minute in the half. The Bears scored once more in the third to make it 29-3, and that was the final score. New York never had a chance as they were content to run, run, run–despite a huge deficit from the get-go. Let’s break down what we saw today.
Here's the video: A fiery Joe Judge says there are players who left the team last year who tell him they wish they were still with the Giants, and there are players currently on the team who are set to be free agents who beg that they want to stay.pic.twitter.com/YpxXQOGLl6
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 3, 2022
New York Giants
Quarterback
Mike Glennon: 4/11, 24 yards, 2 INT, 4 sacks | 1 carry, 13 yards, 4 fumbles
Woof. All I can say is woof. The Giants clearly did not want to pass today, rarely letting their quarterback drop back with the ball despite an ever-present deficit. It’s easy to see why though: Glennon was turning the ball over as quickly as he could get his hands on it. Here’s how the Giants drives went today: fumble, interception, punt, punt, field goal, safety, punt, fumble, punt, downs, interception, end of game. Glennon is only free of blame for that safety. To be fair, he didn’t have time to work, and he didn’t get many opportunities to actually try. It was either New York running the ball or Glennon running for his life. This team needs a new GM, a new coach, and a new quarterback. At least the loss helps their draft positioning.
Where tf is Mike Glennon throwing this ball?? pic.twitter.com/w5enLo9yBt
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) December 19, 2021
Running Backs/Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Saquon Barkley: 21 carries, 102 yards | 1 target
Devontae Booker: 18 carries, 46 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 0 yards
Evan Engram: 2 targets, 1 reception, 12 yards
David Sills: 1 target, 1 reception, 12 yards
I’ve done a lot of write-ups for QBList, but this is the first time I ever didn’t give a team a section for their wide receivers and tight ends. When you only complete four passes and two of them go to a backup running back, what is there to say? There’s plenty to say about the running backs though. Saquon Barkley ran well today, looking something like the back we remember from a couple of years ago. Barkley used his limited blocking as best he could, often finding every yard available. He did this despite a game plan that was completely transparent. If the Giants can figure something–I’m talking league-average ability–at quarterback, Barkley should be a great option next season, coming at a discount thanks to how this season went. Devontae Booker was spelling Barkley, but he was clearly the number two. Booker saw 18 carries of his own, but it’s hard to imagine this workload being there against offenses that aren’t so pathetic as Chicago’s group.
Chicago Bears
Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton: 18/35, 173 yards, TD, INT, 2 sacks | 3 carries, 14 yards
When I watch Andy Dalton play quarterback, I can’t help but feel like he could have been good. Dalton often seems to know where he is supposed to go with the ball. The issue is typically one of two things: the ball arriving late, or him missing the throw. The Bears’ first scoring drive was a single rush from two yards out to make it 7-0. The second drive was seven plays and ended with a great pass from Dalton. He found Darnell Mooney at the back of the endzone and gave him just enough room to make a play. Dalton should find a role somewhere as a backup and I could easily see the Bears re-signing him next season. He won’t be starting anywhere unless things go wrong.
Running Backs
David Montgomery: 22 carries, 64 yards, 2 TD | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards
Khalil Herbert: 2 carries, 9 yards
Given the game flow, this was a disappointing outcome for David Montgomery in my opinion. With basically a 14-0 lead spotted, I expected a heavy dose of Chicago running. I would have expected 30-40 carries and Herbert having a decent day of his own. It just didn’t materialize. The Giants did a good job slowing down the Bears’ backs, and Chicago was apparently happy to let Dalton throw 35 times. Montgomery still ran hard, as we are used to, and he should be in line for another big workload next season. If the Bears make the expected change at head coach, I actually see the makings of a great rushing attack here: Montgomery as the lead, and a heavy dose of Herbert and Fields to keep defenses on their heels. Speaking of Khalil Herbert, he only had two carries. I’ll be the broken record and again say how much I love his talent. He should have earned a bigger role next season.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Darnell Mooney: 13 targets, 7 receptions, 69 yards, TD
Allen Robinson: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 35 yards
Cole Kmet: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 25 yards
Damiere Byrd: 2 targets, 1 reception, 23 yards
Jesse James: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Darnell Mooney continues to impress as his second season winds to a close, making an excellent touchdown grab to turn this into a 14-0 game. Mooney was lined up on the left side of the field and ran across the middle, fading to the back of the endzone. He lept and made a grab right at the backline, just managing to get both feet in bounds.
Andy Dalton threads this one into the endzone to put the Chicago #Bears up 14-0 #Touchdown #DaBears pic.twitter.com/4Dwl480jqb
— Win Big Sports (@WBSNsports) January 2, 2022
It was a great play and another sign of what’s hopefully to come next year. Mooney will likely become the team’s number one next year. Allen Robinson looked good on his limited targets, showing flashes of the player he was last season. Robinson has been a non-factor most of the season, seemingly disappointed after not getting the big contract he hoped for in the offseason. Cole Kmet had a couple of nice catches as well. His development into next season will be a big story: there should be plenty of targets for the taking if he can keep developing.
— Mike Miklius (@SIRL0INofBEEF on Twitter)