Game balls: 3 standouts from the Bears’ loss to Bucs

The Chicago Bears were embarrassed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 38-3 blowout loss in front of most of the country. The Bears have become a mockery for many given Matt Nagy’s continued employment and how he’s impacting rookie quarterback Justin Fields.

There wasn’t much to like about Chicago’s performance against Tampa Bay, but there were a few standout performances by some players that was encouraging looking toward the future.

Here is who earned game balls from the Week 7 loss to the Bucs:

RB Khalil Herbert

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie running back Khalil Herbert was the lone bright spot on offense for the Bears, where he was impressive against the best run defense in the NFL. Herbert had 18 carries for 100 yards, for a 5.6 average, against a Bucs defense allowing 54 rushing yards per game. Herbert also had five catches for 33 yards. With three games of significant action for Herbert, a sixth-round rookie, he’s more than earned the No. 2 role when David Montgomery returns. And you could even argue he’s earned split reps with Montgomery.

K Cairo Santos

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Cairo Santos was responsible for all of the Bears’ points in a blowout loss to the Bucs — all three of them. Santos booted a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter to avoid a shutout for the Bears, although many criticized Matt Nagy for not going for it on fourth and short given field goals were not going to win the game. Santos’ field goal marked his 35th consecutive made field goal, which is the longest active streak in the NFL.

S DeAndre Houston-Carson

AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio

With Tashaun Gipson sidelined with a hip injury and Deon Bush on injured reserve, the Bears turned to their fourth safety on the depth chart in DeAndre Houston-Carson, who rose to the challenge against the Bucs. It was a disappointing outing overall by the defense, who failed to get any pressure on Tom Brady, but Houston-Carson stepped up and played well with a career-high 11 tackles. You could argue he proved he should be getting more reps.

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