Nicholas Moreano identifies five Chicago Bears players whose stock went up or down in the Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
CHICAGO -- The elements were in full effect at Soldier Field for the Chicago Bears' NFC North matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
The forecast brought rain well before kickoff and it continued throughout the entirety of the game.
Bears linebacker Devin Bush dropped what should have been an interception on quarterback Carson Wentz's fourth pass of the game. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams fumbled a shotgun snap and improvised, running for a 19-yard gain. Wentz had a snap sail over his head on a third-and-2 attempt, forcing the Vikings to punt on their second offensive possession.
In the end, the Vikings came away with a 9-3 victory, but the main concern is centered around quarterback Caleb Williams and his hamstring injury he sustained midway through the fourth quarter.
Head coach Ben Johnson said Williams is in good spirits, but will have a better indication of the severity of the injury on Monday.
Here are the five players who raised and lowered their stock in the Week 2 loss.
Stock Up: Kalif Raymond
Reliable is the best way to describe Kalif Raymond in the Week 2 game against the Vikings. He securely caught three of the Vikings punts in the first half, two were fair caught and one he returned for 24 yards. He did let the first punt in the third quarter hit the ground, but he made good decisions under the wet conditions.
He also caught all five of his targets for 40 yards, including an 8-yard pass on third down that set up the Bears on their own 1-yard line. Running back D'Andre Swift fumbled the ball on the next play, but Raymond found open space and made a play for his offense to set up the offense.
There wasn't much offensive firepower in this game, but Raymond was easily the most consistent of the Bears' players.
Stock Up: Dillon Thieneman
The Bears' first-round draft pick made his presence felt on the team's first defensive drive of the game. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's unit covered a screen pass on second down, forcing Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz to run. Thieneman came up to make the tackle to limit him to a 4-yard gain.
Facing a third-and-6 from Chicago's 17-yard line, Wentz to a shot at the end zone towards wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who caught a 30-yard pass earlier in the drive. Thieneman showed off his range and speed, hitting Jefferson in the end zone as he was about to catch the football.
The Vikings were forced to settle for a field goal.
Thieneman did allow tight end Josh Oliver to break free for a 24-yard gain late in the third quarter, but the Bears did force a punt after rookie Malik Muhammad sacked Wentz. Thieneman took on one block, which freed up Muhammad to make the play.
Stock Up: Kyle Monangai
The Bears came out running in the second half and Monangai broke up some big runs to get the offense moving up field. He ran the ball three straight times for gains of 15, 4 and 12 yards.
That drive ended in a Swift fumble, but Monangai got the rushing attack going to start the third quarter. He finished the day with 10 carries for 47 yards, leading the team on the ground. He also caught two passes for 11 yards.
Stock Down: Garrett Bradury
The veteran center heard his name called often in the first half -- never a good sign for any offensive lineman. Here is how his day went with each of his penalties that were called throughout the first half.
- 1st Q (7:42) 1st & 10 at MIN 35 -- Holding but offset by Minnesota's roughing the passer penalty
- 1st Q (2:57) 1st & 10 at CHI 42 -- False start on the first play of drive
- 2nd Q (3:02) 1st & 15 at MIN 35 -- Holding
- 2nd Q (2:00) 3rd & 24 at MIN 44 -- False Start
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores wants the opposing team to think, and that appears to be what was impacting Bradbury. The veteran with seven years of NFL experience and two seasons practicing against Flores' scheme didn't help out his team in the first half of Sunday's game.
Stock Down: D'Andre Swift
The Minnesota Vikings' defense did a a good job of containing on the ground after his big day against the Panthers in Week 1. He made a reception on fourth-and-3 to keep the offense on the field late in the second quarter, but the Bears wasted that effort with a series of penalties.
On the first drive of the second half, the Bears put together a promising drive that featured explosive runs from Williams, Monangai and Swift. The Bears got down to the Vikings' 1-yard line after Raymond's reception on third down, giving the offense a fresh set of downs with Minnesota leading 6-3.
Head coach Ben Johnson called a run for Swift, and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond knocked out the football and the Vikings recovered. It was a critical mistake at a crucial part of the field.
