After a record setting performance last week against the Dolphins, Justin Fields and the Bears looked to get back into the win column against the Lions and for 3 quarters it looked as though the Bears were well on their way. Going into the 4th quarters the Bears had a 24-10 team and at one point in the 4th had the ball with the chance to go up 3 TDs. What transpired was a complete meltdown and the Bears wound up losing their 3rd straight game 31-30.

Despite the Bears rushing for 258 yards as a team, the team committed 9 penalties for 86 yards. Justin Fields threw a costly pick-6 that tied the game, Cairo Santos missed an extra point and the Bears defense allowed the Lions to march down the field 91 yards to get the game winning touchdown.

The Bears had one chance to put the game away when up 30-24 the Bears went 3 and out on offense with some questionable, conservative calls in an attempt to run down the clock. The Bears had the ball with a chance to win the game but Fields was sacked twice on the last series of downs.

The Bears’ offense looked clunky and disjointed for most of the 1st half. They got going toward the end of the 1st half and throughout the 3rd quarter as the Bears put together TD drives of 75, 76 and 71 yards to turn a 10-3 deficit into a 24-10 lead. The offense bogged down again in the 4th quarter as the Lions got pressure on Fields. When the Bears look back at this game they’re going to be sick with themselves.

The Good: Justin Fields had another week with over 300 all purpose yards. Fields finished 12 for 20 for 167 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also had 13 rushes for 147 yards and another “did you see that” 60-yard TD run. Overall Fields played well enough to get the win but there were some things he’ll need to clean up(more on that later). Also having a good game for the 2nd straight week was TE Cole Kmet. Kmet led all receivers with 4 catches for 74 yards and 2 TDs. On defense Jack Sanborn had himself quite the game with 12 tackles and 2 sacks. He had an interception that was called back due to a penalty.

The Bad: While Fields continues to amaze he also had some moments he would want back. A few of Justin’s throws weren’t crisp and fell short. The INT that went for the pick-6 is unforgivable. Fields has had enough reps to know when he is in trouble it’s ok to just throw the ball away and live to play another down. The defense couldn’t get off the field when it mattered most. Up 30-24, the defense allowed the Lions to drive 91 yards to get the game winning TD. There was a 3rd & 8 play where the Lions got a 44-yard catch to help the Lions get deep in Bears territory. The defense also gave up 8.1 yards per pass play.

The Ugly: The lack of discipline did the Bears in today. The team racked up 9 penalties for 86 yards. Those penalties either stalled or killed drives on offense and kept drives going for the Lions. When you commit that number of penalties that’s usually the mark of an undisciplined team. The kicking game also didn’t do itself any favors today with the missed extra point after the Justin Fields TD that put the Bears up 30-24 and then the penalty on the kickoff after the Bears went up 24-10. When you are a team that is talent deficient you can’t make mistakes. Head coach Matt Eberflus coaches his team with the HITS principle – they didn’t have two of those today. The Bears didn’t force any turnovers and they didn’t play smart.

The Grades:

• Offense: When the offense was going good, it was really good. Fields had a lot to do with it but there also times, especially in the 4th quarter, when the offense looked disjointed & conservative. Penalties on offense hurt too. Grade: B
• Defense: Allowing 8.1 yards per pass play with little pressure on Goff hurt. Penalties also kept drives alive for the LIons. Grade: D-
• Special Teams: The missed extra point and the penalty on the kickoff did not help matters today. Grade: D
• Coaching: Going conservative late instead of finishing the Lions off and the lack of adjustments on defense hurt the Bears today. Grade: C-

Up Next: The Bears travel to the A to take on the Falcons. The Falcons are only 1 game back of the Bucs for the division lead so they will have much to play for. The Falcons, like the Bears, have lost 3 of their last 4 games so both teams will look to pick up a much needed win.

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