As I reflect upon this miserable season as it finally comes to an end, there is one single good thing about it that I will never forget. And that is Robert Quinn.
For most of last year, the entire offseason and for about the first 4 games of this year, I could not stop ragging Quinn as the worst free agent signing in Bears history. After singing a $70 million contract in the 2020 offseason, Quinn had a grand total of 2 sacks. He looked to be a disaster.
And then, low and behold, he showed up in 2021. And without Khalil Mack on the other side to draw attention away from him for most of the year he not only produces a good season, he produces a Bears record breaking 18 sacks in 16 games to replace Richard Dent as the Bears single season sack leader.
This is truly the most remarkable turnaround I’ve ever seen a football player make. It is a lesson in what hard work and perseverance can do.
Robert Quinn, you are a bright star as night falls on a dismal 2021 season. I salute you, sir.
Defense
- The Giants game plan was a simple one. Run the ball. And run they did. 40 if their total of 55 plays were rushing attempts. And at 4 yards per carry, considering that the whole stadium knew they were going to throw it, they didn’t do it too badly. It just didn’t get them many points.
- There were two reasons the Giants had to run the ball. First, they probably watched the tape from last week where the Bears couldn’t stop the run with their nickel defense on the field. Eventually they went to the “big nickel” where they made safety Eddie Jackson the nickel back to plug the run. The second reason is that the Giants team as a whole and their offensive line in particular is decimated by injuries. They flat out couldn’t protect the quarterback. As little as they passed the ball, the Giants still gave up 4 sacks including Quinn’s record breaker. Running was their only option.
- Unfortunately for the Giants, if you are going to run the football to win, you have to play mistake free football. This they did not do. Three points and a long flight home was the result.
- Speaking of injuries, something is wrong with Saquon Barkley. It could be his ankle. It could be a knee that still hasn’t completely recovered from surgery after a torn ACL last year. But something isn’t right. Here’s hoping he has a more healthy 2022.
- Mike Glennon as unimpressive in his return to Chicago. In fairness, see my comment about the Giants offensive line above. The Giants were 4 of 11 for -10 yards passing and were 1 for 2 for -16 yards at half time. This was a really dismal game.
- The Beras never did a thing to adjust to the Giants running the ball. They remained in their nickel defense and, other than creeping extra guys up towards the line of scrimmage a bit more, they just waited for the Giants to shoot themselves in the foot. It worked like a charm.
Offense
- The Bears had the right idea for most of this game. Eventually in the middle of the second quarter, they started running the ball. they had enough success with is to set themselves up to pass and when they moved the ball, the two intermeshed well. They were so successful that the Giants eventually just gave in and started putting 8 men in the box to try to stop it, something that rarely happens in the NFL anymore.
- I was a bit surprise dot see Jason Peters get the start at left tackle over Teven Jenkins. I dn’t have a big problem with it, myself. I want to see young players develop in a successful offense and Jenkins just isn’t ready. He finally came in and got some playing time midway through the fourth quarter.
- The Bears seemed to me to be targeting Darnell Mooney too much and they seemed to forget that Allen Robinson was out there for much of this game. I understand that their wide receivers aren’t good but they aren’t even effectively using what they have. They need to spread the ball around more.
- David Montgomery continues to impress. The yards after contact were amazing this game. He’s been a pleasure to watch.
Miscellaneous
- As is so often the case, the turnovers told the story of this game more than anything else. Trevis Gipson had the game of his life with two strip sacks. Interceptions by Deon Bush and Tashaun Gipson rounded it out. The first two turnovers setting the Bears up deep in Giants territory resulted in 14 points and the game was on its way to being over halfway through the first quarter.
- My New Year’s wish for 2022? Please lose the Bear Raid Siren. It annoys those of us who have to hear it every other week far more than the opponent.