NFL Week 17 Game Recap: Chicago Bears 29, New York Giants 3

The New York Giants have earned the unfortunate label of NFL’s least efficient offense since Week 10 based on expected points added (EPA) per play. This 29-3 loss to the Chicago Bears didn’t do them any favors. 

New York came in with a clear plan to keep the ball on the ground, and that was probably the right call given what their passing offense was able to do. Mike Glennon finished the game with a 5.3 passer rating, and the Giants averaged -0.1 yards per pass play.

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Chicago Bears

Quarterback

Andy Dalton outperformed Glennon, but that wasn’t exactly a high bar to clear. He completed 51% of his passes, averaged less than 5.0 passing yards per attempt and finished with zero big-time throws and two turnover-worthy plays in PFF’s first-run analysis. 

Dalton did push the ball further downfield against New York than he has for much of the season. His 9.0-yard average depth of target was nearly two yards higher than his season average coming into the week (7.3).

Running Back

David Montgomery averaged less than 3.0 rushing yards per attempt, picking up 64 yards on 22 carries. Forty-three of those 64 rushing yards came after contact. There wasn’t anything easy for him in this one. 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Darnell Mooney remained the top option for Chicago in the passing game. He finished with seven receptions on 11 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. Mooney averaged 1.92 receiving yards per route run, and the only other Bears receiver to average over 1.0 yards per route run was Allen Robinson (1.21). 

Offensive Line

Despite Chicago’s overall problems moving the ball on the ground, James Daniels had an impressive individual showing as a run blocker. He should end reviews as Chicago’s highest-graded run blocker. 

The unit as a whole fared well in pass protection. Cody Whitehair (two hurries) was the only offensive lineman charged with multiple pressures allowed, pending reviews. 

Defensive Line

There weren’t many pass-rushing opportunities for Chicago in this one, but Robert Quinn still managed to make his presence felt. He was credited with three pressures (one sack, one hit and one hurry) in 14 pass-rushing snaps.

Trevis Gipson managed two sacks in just three pass-rushing snaps, as well. 

Linebackers

Roquan Smith (56 defensive snaps) and Alec Ogletree (48 defensive snaps) split the linebacker snaps. Smith was credited with nine total tackles and two tackles for loss or no gain, and Ogletree was credited with seven total tackles in PFF’s first-run analysis.  

Secondary

Chicago’s defensive backs combined to allow one reception for 12 yards in the game. 

Fewest passing yards allowed by a secondary in a single week | 2021

Deon Bush and Tashaun Gipson Sr. both intercepted Glennon. While he didn’t join that group, Artie Burns had an impressive performance with two forced incompletions. 

New York Giants

Quarterback

You won’t see many quarterback stat lines worse than Glennon’s in this game. Glennon totaled more combined sacks and interceptions (six) than completions (four). He finished the game 2-of-9 for eight yards and two interceptions from a clean pocket. 

Worst clean-pocket passer rating in a game this season (min. 5 attempts)

Running Back

Saquon Barkley was one of very few bright spots offensively for the Giants. He finished the game with a season-high 111 rushing yards on 23 carries. His 46 rushing yards before contact was also his highest mark of the season. 

Barkley split the backfield work with Devontae Booker, who wasn’t nearly efficient in his opportunities as a ball carrier (46 rushing yards on 18 carries). 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

As Glennon’s final stat line would suggest, none of New York’s receivers had a big impact in the passing game. Evan Engram and David Sills were the only Giants wide receivers or tight ends to catch a pass, and they only caught one each. 

Offensive Line

Andrew Thomas had a strong showing for the Giants at left tackle, continuing his much-improved second season out of Georgia. He was the Giants’ second-highest graded pass protector and run blocker along the offensive line on PFF’s first-run analysis, trailing only Ben Bredeson. 

The interior offensive line had some issues in limited pass-blocking opportunities, including Will Hernandez (one sack and one hit allowed in 16 pass-blocking snaps pending review).

Defensive Line

New York’s defensive front wasn’t able to generate consistent pressure in this game. Andy Dalton was pressured on just eight of his 40 dropbacks, pending review. Austin Johnson led the way with three quarterback pressures (one hit and two hurries). 

They did a good job of bottling up Chicago’s run game, though. David Montgomery averaged less than 1.0 rushing yard before contact per attempt. 

Linebackers

Tae Crowder brought in an interception, but his play against the run will likely drag down his overall PFF grade once it’s finalized. He was New York’s lowest-graded run defender. 

Jaylon Smith was the higher-graded linebacker for the Giants. He was the first contact defender on six defensive snaps and added a stop in coverage to his stat line. 

Secondary

None of New York’s defensive backs were charged with allowing more than 35 passing yards into their coverage in the game. 

Logan Ryan left several interception opportunities on the field with two dropped picks, and Xavier McKinney had a rough performance in the tackling department with four missed tackles.