It’s only Week 2 but it feels like the 2023 season is already a wrap for the Chicago Bears after an embarrassing 27-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The offensive woes that plagued the Bears in Week 1 reared their ugly heads again as they spent most of the afternoon spinning their wheels. The Bears actually had the ball with the chance to win the game but a Justin Fields pick-6 off of a screen pass inside of their own 10 yard line sealed the Bears’ fate.
The game got off to a promising start when the defense held the Bucs to 3 on their opening drive and the Bears responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive that was highlighted by two long pass plays to WR DJ Moore. From that point on until late in the 4th quarter the Bears offense couldn’t sustain drives and that was due to a myriad of reasons.
The offensive line again had its problems protecting the QB as they gave up 6 sacks and another 9 QB hits. Justin Fields had another week of shaky play. He finished 16/29 for 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 Rushing TD and 2 INTs. He had a beautiful TD throw to Chase Claypool to cut the deficit to 3 late in the 4th quarter but there were also instances where he stood in the pocket too long, took too long in his progressions and hung on to the ball way too long. Two of the six sacks Justin took were his fault. It was also another rough week for play calling. After drawing up a great 1st drive, OC Luke Getsy once again got in his own way and went away from what worked. For whatever reason Getsy is hellbent on forcing Fields to fit into his scheme and not molding the scheme to Justin’s talents.
On the defensive side of the ball, Head Coach Matt Eberflus called the defensive plays in the absence of DC Alan Williams. Though the defense gave up 437 yards they held the Bucs to 20 points. The problem once again for the Bears was getting off the field. The Bucs were 8-15 on 3rd downs including four 3rd down conversions of 5 or more yards. The defense was also gashed by the run game as the Bucs ran the ball 34 times for 120 yards. Baker Mayfield looked like a star as he finished 26/34 for 317 yards and 1 TD. The Bears did dial up more blitzes but they weren’t able to get home. The defense has only 1 sack, no INTs, 1 forced fumble and no fumble recoveries through 2 weeks. The team actually had a golden opportunity for an INT on the Bucs’ 1st drive but S Jaquan Brisker couldn’t hold on to an errant Mayfield pass that hit Brisker in the hands.
Grading The Bears:
Offense: The play calling after the 1st drive until late in the 4th quarter was basura. The OL once again struggled and Fields somehow looks worse than he did last year. Grade: D
Defense: Problems getting off the field on 3rd down and not getting home on blitzes plagued the Bears. That said they didn’t break and only gave up 20 points. Grade: C
Special Teams: A blocked FG and a 57-yard FG make by Cairo Santos spelled a pretty decent day for the special teamers. Grade: B
Coaching: The offensive scheme was terrible for much of the game and that can’t be stated enough. Grade: C-
The Good, Bad & Ugly
The Good: The special teams had a good day as they blocked a FG attempt and Cairo Santos made a 57-yard FG. The defense did all they could to keep the Bears in the game as they held Baker Mayfield to 20 points. DJ Moore got 7 targets and had 6 catches for 104 yards.
The Bad: Injuries plagued the Bears secondary as S Eddie Jackson went down with a foot injury and Brisker missed most of the game with an illness. Baker Mayfield took advantage and found WR Mike Evans who had 6 catches for 171 yards & 1 TD.
The Ugly: The offensive scheme has been atrocious for the 1st two weeks. I’m not kidding when I say Luke Getsy should be arrested for negligence and incompetence with his play calling. The offensive line continues to be the worst OL in the league. Braxton Jones looked absolutely awful again this week. On top of all of this Justin Fields has regressed through the 1st two weeks of the season and there is serious cause for concern that Fields may not be the guy. While I still believe it’s hard to truly evaluate the QB when the play calling isn’t suited to his abilities and the OL is still terrible, Fields’ vision and his decision making abilities must be questioned. He continues to sit in the pocket and hold on the ball way too long. He has to be able to see it & fling it. If it’s not there then use your legs. I just don’t understand why the offensive brain trust doesn’t get this.
Head Coach Matt Eberflus & QB Justin Fields met the media after the game:
What’s next: The Bears will visit Arrowhead Stadium to take on Patrick Mahomes and the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. It’s going to be another long afternoon next week. Yeah… the season’s over.
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