Top-graded Bears in preseason win over Bengals

We’re down to just one week left in the preseason after the Chicago Bears trounced the Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 on Saturday.

With roster cutdowns looming, it was an important game for several players.

Here’s a look at the top-graded Bears, according to Pro Football Focus, in the second preseason game.

Related: Bears defense dominant again in 27-3 preseason win over Bengals

Offense

• QB Tyson Bagent — 93.3
• Dante Pettis — 90.9
• TE Brenden Bates — 89.8
• RT Ja’Tyre Carter — 81.9
• RT Aviante Collins — 79.4
• TE Stephen Carlson — 79.3
• TE Cole Kmet — 78.5
• RT Darnell Wright — 77.8
• RT Bill Murray — 76.7
• RT Jake Curhan — 69.8

Meanwhile, the lowest-graded Bears on offense were C Jerome Carvin (48.2), WR Keenan Allen (52.4), RB Travis Homer (52.9), RB/WR Velus Jones Jr. (53.3) and WR DJ Moore (53.3).

This is where it’s good to remember that these are small sample sizes from just a preseason game, so no, Bears fans don’t need to worry about Allen and Moore showing up here. After a flashy debut at running back last week, Jones didn’t have the same success against the Bills, but it’s always going to take some time for a player switching positions. The question there is just how patient the Bears are willing to be.

Finally, the quarterbacks looked good. Sure, Caleb Williams didn’t have the same level of success as he did against the Bills but he still flashed his upside, and both Bagent and Brett Rypien were solid. It’ll be interesting to see how that backup spot shakes out.

Defense

• S Tarvarius Moore — 82.2
• LB Amen Ogbongbemiga — 79.0
• LB Javin White — 78.8
• CB Terell Smith — 78.5
• DT Gervon Dexter Sr. — 76.7
• LB Jack Sanborn — 76.0
• DT Andrew Billings — 75.3
• DE Daniel Hardy — 73.5
• S Douglas Coleman II — 72.9
• CB Josh Blackwell — 72.2

The lowest-graded Bears defenders were CB Reddy Steward (45.4), S Elijah Hicks (47.9), DT Zacch Pickens (50.0), DT Byron Cowart (53.6) and LB Carl Jones Jr. (54.6).

Overall, Chicago’s defense did really well so there’s not a lot to complain about. Even those bottom five all did pretty well against the run and were strong tacklers, and both Pickens and Cowart recorded a pressure.

The bigger point is whether it’s too late for guys like Pickens and Dominique Robinson — who had the sixth-lowest grade and didn’t have a pressure or particularly strong game in any area — to earn a spot over guys who’ve had a better preseason, like Austin Booker, who tallied another pressure and tackle on Saturday.

The Bears will now finish up the preseason on Thursday night at the Chiefs. Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. in that one.