Chicago Bears: Position-by-position grades through Week 4

Special Teams

Against Tampa, you didn’t see much of the special teams. Obviously, this was due to the fact that the offense scored so many touchdowns. But, throughout the first four weeks, special teams has not been a problem. It has not been a reason to worry.

New addition Cody Parkey has been nearly lights out in the kicking game. He has gone 9-of-10 on field goals, with a long of 50 yards. Parkey is also a perfect 12-for-12 on extra points.

In a year where we have seen so many missed field goals, botched extra points and downright incompetency at the kicker position, Parkey has yet to become an issue.

I say it like that, because throughout the preseason and camp, he worried us just a bit with some misses.

The return game has been strong, as they have averaged 20 yards per kickoff return (on just three) and 12.8 yards per punt return, thanks to Cohen.

Pat O’Donnell hasn’t killed the Bears yet either, which was a worry from many fans going into the season. This was a position where the Bears could have potentially upgraded this offseason, but decided to stay put for a year. Thus far, O’Donnell is at a respectable 47.2 yards per punt on 14 tries.

Grade: B

Overall Team Grade: A-

The Bears have had somewhat of a feasible schedule through four weeks, and they have done what I would have expected them to do if all goes right. At 3-1, fans can be very pleased with the outcome of the first quarter of the season. Going into the thick of the schedule down the stretch, though, is where it will be make-or-break for the Bears.

Winning games against the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions will be enormous, along with stealing back the game they dropped against the Packers. Divisional wins will be the difference between a potential playoff spot and just another season. There is absolutely reason to believe this Bears team can only get better, though, and if they do, look out.