Just when it looked as though the Bears had hit rock bottom they found a new bottom as they dropped their 14th straight game in a shocking 31-28 loss to the Broncos at home. The Bears became the 1st team in NFL history to lose 14 consecutive games while giving up 25+ points in those losses.
The game started off worrisome as the Bears’ 1st drive stalled and fans booed the decision by Matt Eberflus to punt on 4th & 2 at the Broncos’ 47. The Broncos would easily score on their 1st drive to take a 7-0 lead. The Bears then responded by scoring the game’s next 28 points and seemingly had the Broncos on life support. Justin Fields and the offense looked crisp through 2 1/2 quarters as they marched up and down the field on Denver.
A late Denver touchdown in the 3rd quarter cut the lead to 28-14 and that’s when everything went downhill for the Bears. The Broncos forced the Bears to a 3 and out, got the ball back and went on a 10 play, 66 yard TD drive to cut the lead to 7. On the Bears’ next possession, they had the ball on the DEN 48 when the play call for a naked bootleg was snuffed out, protection was blown and before Fields could get his feet set he was drilled. The ball came out, was recovered & returned for a Broncos’ TD to tie the game.
The Bears would get the ball back and use Khalil Herbert to drive the ball down the field again. The drive stalled on the Broncos’ 18 yard line on 4th & 1 when Eberflus sent the offense out to try & draw Denver offsides. Considering Denver had been called for 7 penalties today no one raised an eyebrow there but after a timeout Eberflus kept the offense on the field & with a shotgun formation called Fields handed off to Herbert who was stopped cold. The Broncos would march down the field & score on a 51-yard FG to take a 31-28 lead.
The Bears’ last chance was torpedoed when miscommunication between Fields & Cole Kmet led to Fields throwing the game sealing INT. Game… and with that the Bears are now 0-4.
What makes this loss more gut wrenching is once again there was drama off the field leading up to the game. WR Chase Claypool was asked by media if he was being used properly and his response was:
Claypool was put on the inactive list before the game and it was later discovered he was not at the game. When asked about Claypool’s absence, Matt Eberflus responded by saying Claypool wasn’t here, he wasn’t told to stay home and that it was “his choice”. Chicago Sun-Time reporter Jason Lieser later reported the Bears did tell Claypool to stay home and FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported before the game that the Bears are actively trying to trade Claypool. This continues a very disturbing trend of the Bears not being able to suppress internal drama and on an 0-4 football team that can be lethal.
Grading The Bears
Offense: Justin Fields had his best statistical day as a Bear. He was 28/35 for 335 yards and 4 TDs. For 3 quarters he looked in control. Khalil Herbert had over 100 yards rushing along with a TD reception. Cole Kmet had 7 catches for 85 yards & 2 TDs. DJ Moore had 8 grabs for 131 yards & a TD. The offense grinding down to a halt in the 4th quarter with conservative play calling and 2 critical turnovers doomed them in the end. Grade: B-
Defense: After the Broncos’ 1st TD drive, the Bears defense held them scoreless until late in the 3rd quarter where they gave up 2 long TD drive and the eventual game winning FG drive. The defense had trouble getting off the field again as Denver converted 6 of their 11 3rd down plays. QB Russell Wilson looked good as he went 21/28 for 223 yards & 3 TDs. RB Jaleel McLaughlin came off the bench and got 7 carries for 72 yards while adding 3 catches for 32 yards & 1 TD. The Beards only got 1 sack and forced no turnovers. Grade: D
Special Teams: Not much to talk about with the exception of Cairo Santos not being given the opportunity to attempt a potential game winning 35-yard FG. Grade: INC
Coaching: This loss is all on coaching. The conservative play calling in the 2nd half and that inexcusable attempt to go for it on 4th & 1 when you had a 35-yard FG attempt right there is the very reason Matt Eberflus & Luke Getsy should no longer be coaching this team. Grade: D-
The Good, Bad & Ugly:
The Good: Fields looked the best he’s ever looked today outside of the 2 late turnovers. When the play calling played to Justin’s strengths he looked like a franchise QB. The run game was effective as the Bears ran for 171 yards. DJ Moore and Cole Kmet made big plays.
The Bad: The defense not being able to get off the field when it mattered continues to be a problem as well as not being able to get enough consistent pressure on the QB. The Bears have only 2 sacks and 2 turnovers through 4 games.
The Ugly: Coaching was at its worst today during the 2nd half. The decision to not continue with an aggressive mix of run & pass that was working all afternoon doomed the Bears. I will continue to say that the decision to go for it on 4th & 1 on the Broncos’ 18 yard-line when you had the chance to take the lead with less than 3 minutes remaining is unforgivable. You take the points & you tell your defense to get a stop. Matt Eberflus refuses to accept responsibility for his team’s 0-4 start and it won’t be long before he and Getsy completely lose this team.
Matt Eberflus & Justin Fields met with the media following this demoralizing loss:
Up Next: Short week for the Bears as they have to quickly prepare for a rough Washington Commanders team on Thursday night. Great… another nationally televised game for all to see what a joke this franchise is.
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