Bears PFF grades: Best, worst players from Week 18 loss vs. Lions

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The Chicago Bears were defeated by the Detroit Lions, 19-16, in the regular-season finale on Sunday. It was a rather uninspiring performance heading into the wild-card playoffs, but they still secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

The Bears got off to a slow start, and it dragged through most of the game until they found some life in the fourth quarter. The offense was held scoreless until the fourth quarter, where they rattled off back-to-back touchdown drives. But, unfortunately, they fell short on their third and wouldn't get a chance for the win. Meanwhile, the defense continues to be exposed by opposing offenses, where they had no answers in the pass rush, defending the run or in coverage.

Here's a look at the best and worst from the Bears offense and defense following Sunday's Week 18 loss:

Best offense grades

TE Colston Loveland: 80.6
LG Joe Thuney: 78.1
WR Jahdae Walker: 68.1
C Drew Dalman: 67.4
WR Luther Burden III: 67.1

There's no denying how crucially important Colston Loveland was for the Bears offense on Sunday afternoon, leading the team with 13 targets, hauling in 10 receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown. Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman have been anchors in their first year on the offensive line, while Luther Burden III and Jahdae Walker are just two more rookies who have stepped up and showed out for the team's rookie class this year. Between the two of them, Walker and Burden had seven targets, combining for 71 yards and Walker's touchdown, which was the second thrown by Caleb Williams.

Best defense grades

DT Grady Jarrett: 79.6
DE Austin Booker: 78.7
DE Montez Sweat: 75.5
DE Dominique Robinson: 74.9
S Kevin Byard: 72.4

Chicago was credited with three sacks in the loss, two on Jared Goff, and one on a busted trick play by running back David Montgomery who was blown up behind the line of scrimmage. Austin Booker continues to be a great surprise since returning from injury this season, while Montez Sweat picked up his 10th sack to close out the regular season. Veteran safety Kevin Byard grabbed his seventh interception of the year which saw him end the year with the league-lead for interceptions.

Worst offense grades

RG Jonah Jackson: 34.5
TE Durham Smythe: 52.7
WR Olamide Zaccheaus: 53.6
WR DJ Moore: 54.7
RB Kyle Monangai: 56.8

This was one of the worst games for rookie running back Kyle Monangai, although not all of the blame is to go on him as the team only ran the ball 18 times against Detroit. Jonah Jackson struggled with Detroit superstar pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, and the other three playmakers on offense were barely heard from all night. DJ Moore was targeted three times and had just one reception, ending a hot streak for him over the past month.

Worst defense grades

DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson: 28.2
DT Andrew Billings: 35.0
DT Gervon Dexter Sr.: 45.5
CB Jaylon Johnson: 50.1
CB Nahshon Wright: 50.6

There was nothing more frustrating than watching the Bears secondary struggle in their man coverage defense against the Lions offense on Sunday. Three of those top cornerbacks in the secondary are listed here, showing exactly how much they struggled, including C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was matched up against Amon-Ra St. Brown for most of the regular season finale before exiting with a concussion. Andrew Billings was flagged twice on crucial plays for the defense, giving new life to the Lions offense in big moments.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears PFF grades: Best, worst players from Week 18 loss vs. Lions

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