Matt Eberflus’ Chicago Bears continue their consistent and improbable losing ways.
Another well-called game by new play caller Thomas Brown, well-executed game by rookie Caleb Williams and hard-fought game by both sides of the ball for the Chicago Bears ends in the same result against the Minnesota Vikings. A Loss for the Beloved.
Offense:
- Penalties continue to be an issue both pre and post snap for the Bears. From the literal first play to multiple drive stalling snafus, this team continues to shoot themselves in the foot.
- Caleb Williams continues to develop right in front of our eyes, and he put together perhaps his best game against arguably the best defense he has and will play all season. Multiple jaw dropping plays from the tight window laser-beams to Keenan Allen, the rollout-rainbow to D’Andre Swift, the hop-scotch hurdle drive extender or the deep-dig-dime to DJ Moore in the final seconds – Caleb played winning ball against a top D.
- Thomas Brown called a couple head scratchers but overall called another fantastic game that consistently kept the defense off-balance and put his players in position to succeed. My favorite play was the heavy-set fake pitch to Swift and screen to DJ on short side of the field for a big gain, but there were plenty of other great calls.
- Marcedes Lewis is struggling and doesn’t seem to know what he’s supposed to do whenever he is out there. Considering he is only in for a handful of snaps; this is a glaring issue.
- Very impressed by the OL yesterday. While Matt Pryor (still) should never be asked to pull, the whole unit did a remarkable job protecting Caleb and opening lanes when it mattered most. Kudos to all 5.
- I have to say a special shout out to OL coach Chris Morgan. With Thomas Brown calling plays, coach Morgan has done a terrific job eliminating mistakes up front and getting his guys ready. I owe him an apology. Sorry C-Mo!
- Cole was involved early along with DJ and Keenan. But Rome’s first catch wasn’t until end of first half. No bueno.
- While Cole and Keenan both had some uncharacteristic drops, Keenan Allen easily had his best game as a Bear. Consistently finding openings in the zone and snagging contested catches in tight windows for big gains. Too many people have given up on this guy and I couldn’t disagree more. He is a perfect security blanket for our rookie.
- 4th down decision waffle was a killer and falls fully on Flus.
- Vice grip hands of Rome on 4th quarter 4th down was a thing of beauty.
- Overtime blunders after receiving the ball were a back breaker. From protection to Caleb’s happy feet to the routes called. Played our worst offense when it mattered most but overall, the Offense played great and deserved the win.
Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images
Defense:
- Aaron Jones continues to be a Bear Killer. Though Jonathan Owens made the play of the day on the goal line forced fumble AND recovery, Jones continued to move the chains as feared, and pickup chunk gains. Run D continues to be the Achilles heel.
- Lack of pass rush also continues to be a massive issue. Sam Darnold had far too much time to read through the D and find open receivers. He was much too comfortable in the pocket.
- I am ready for Terell Smith to assume all of the snaps opposite Jaylon. Sure, he had one bad missed tackle late, but was consistently stick in coverage and limited YAC.
- Kyler Gordon had perhaps his best game this season, though the dropped INT was crucial. We needed that. Such a stud against the run and in coverage with his short area burst and athleticism.
- Though Sweat was sealed by a WR on the opening drive, I think he settled in and had one of his best games of the year. Another HUGE missed opportunity on his OT sack where he had the perfect opportunity to get the ball out and didn’t. The Vikes would proceed to drive down the field and score the game winner.
- Jaylon Johnson struggled to contain Justin Jefferson. Sure, the stat line would indicate Jaylon shut him down, but that was far from the truth for anyone who watched. He had two critical PI penalties on Jefferson that extended drives and helped put points on the board while also not making any plays on the ball and slipping off Jefferson in one of his few opportunities to make a tackle on him.
- Tremaine Edmunds is criminally underrated around these parts. Dude was a beast all game. Not sure why he wasn’t the one covering Hockenson late in OT and Edwards was, but oh well.
- 3rd and long? No problem! All jokes aside, I still cannot wrap my head around how terrible our D was with 3rd and long yesterday. Sounds like a Flus problem to me.
- Overall, the D struggled especially when it mattered most and looked more like a “bend but don’t break” unit. Raise your hand if you have heard that before?
Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images
Special Teams:
- I have been high on Coach Hightower – even going as far as to say he should take over for Flus as interim HC a week or so back. And while I am sure he is getting all sorts of roses today for his unit securing the league’s first onside kick of 2024, I think Hightower had his worst game of the year.
- From penalties called (holding/block in back) or not called (unnecessary roughness) the ST unit looked sloppy.
- Coverage units struggled for most of the day.
- But the one unforgivable sin was yet ANOTHER blocked field goal from practically the same distance and positions on the line. Simply inexcusable. Laughable. Cry-able.
- Deandre Carter’s boneheaded backbreaking blunder also should have been avoided. Yes, he mostly made up for it with a clutch Kick Return late, he cost the team big.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
In the end, much of the same yesterday. A spirited effort by many of our players but too many mental errors and HC decisions to overcome. I’d be remiss not to mention the unfortunate results of the challenges. A gorgeous throw to Keenan getting reversed, immediately followed by a blocked kick sealed the deal. Thought we had this one.