2023 Season

Game Balls from Bears’ Week 2 Loss to Bucs

Bears vs. Buccaneers: Here are the four Chicago Bears players who earned a game ball for their efforts in Week 2’s loss to Tampa Bay.

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2023

Pete Martuneac

Game Balls from Bears' Week 2 Loss to Bucs (2023 Season)

This is a hole I never expected the Chicago Bears to be in this season, but they are officially 0-2 and are posing more questions than answers.

Week 2’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers featured more of the same problems we saw in Week 1. The Bears’ defensive line got almost no pressure on quarterback Baker Mayfield, and the offense started off hot but came completely unglued after the first drive.

Even a blocked field goal couldn’t generate points.

But not all was doom and gloom. Despite the loss, there are still Bears worth recognizing for their efforts.

Let’s hand out some game balls.

Darnell Wright

The offensive line actually had a decent day against a ferocious defensive front, but they were led by rookie right tackle Darnell Wright.

In all his pass-blocking snaps, I counted just three where he lost his rep and two that were close.

It’s only been two games into his career, but the early returns for Chicago’s 10th overall pick are good.

Tremaine Edmunds

A week after the Packers’ offense bullied Chicago’s defense, Edmunds returned with a vengeance.

He led the team with 16 total tackles, flying around the field and constantly in the middle of the action. Poles gave him a significant contract a few months ago, and he needs to prove himself worthy of it. Through two games, all arrows are pointing up for the young linebacker.

DJ Moore

Speaking of bounce-back performances, how about the first 100-yard game for a Chicago receiver in what feels like forever? Moore caught six of his seven targets for 104 yards, including two beautiful deep balls on the game’s opening drive.

If quarterback Justin Fields had let the ball rip a bit more frequently, Moore might have finished with more than 150 yards.

Rasheem Green

A spectacular special teams play will always land you on this list. Green hasn’t done much to earn the love of fans, but on Sunday, he blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter, which gave the Bears the ball around midfield with a chance to increase their lead. Credit where credit is due.

Honorable Mention:

Cairo Santos for drilling a 52-yard field goal.