Chicago Bears lose to Atlanta Falcons: Offensive grades

In a game where the Chicago Bears desperately needed their ground game, they got production from a slightly unexpected source.

Instead of Jordan Howard dominating as he did for much of last year, Chicago’s mighty mouse, Tarik Cohen, stole the show.

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Cohen busted out for 158 all-purpose yards, including 66 yards on the ground and 47 yards through the air. Specifically, his emergence in the passing game helped mitigate Glennon’s reluctance to challenge defenses down the field, as he proved a solid security blanket out of the backfield and on short routes.

Then again, Glennon and Cohen also nearly connected on a huge touchdown throw that Cohen couldn’t hold onto.

Truthfully, Cohen’s play might have been this offense’s lone bright spot for the first three quarters of action. And that includes Howard.

Howard only mustered 52 yards on 13 carries, struggling to find running room at times against an aggressive defensive front. And though he managed three catches for 14 yards, his costly fourth-quarter drop may have cost the Bears the game.

Sure, you can split hairs about Glennon seeing him late or whether or not he would’ve been tackled short of the goal line. But in the end, one thing’s for sure: you have to catch that ball.

Given how decimated the Chicago Bears’ receiving corps is, they’re going to need Cohen and Howard badly this season. They got off to a solid start, but there are still yards out there for them to pick up.