A week after beating the 1st place Detroit Lions the Bears came into today’s game with a chance to run the table(and with a lot of help) and make the playoffs at 9-8. The Bears were less than a quarter of the way from taking that next step but miscues down the stretch saw the Bears snatch defeat from the jaws of victory 20-17 as a last second hail mary went in & out of Darnell Mooney’s hands.
The Bears led 17-7 going into the 4th quarter and had multiple chances to put the game away but the offense looked putrid when it mattered most and couldn’t get anything going for most of the game. The offense only mustered 236 yards of offense for a paltry 3.4 yards per play average. Their only TD came courtesy of an Eddie Jackson INT that brought the ball to the Browns’ 2-yard line. Justin Fields had a rough day though it wasn’t all on him. Fields 19 of 40 for 166 yards, 1 TD & 2 INTs. He also added 7 rushes for 30 yards. Dropped passes, missed block assignments, an overall lack of QB protection and some of the most unimaginative play calling by Luke Getsy against one of the league’s best defenses spelled a long day for Fields and the offense.
Defensively the Bears did all they could to keep the game close but 13 4th quarter points given up turned a 17-7 deficit to a 20-17 lead for the Browns. Montez Sweat continued to show he’s worth every penny of that $98 million contract as he 7 tackles(5 solo), 3 QB hits, 2.5 sacks & a TFL. Sweat was an absolute monster on the field. The Bears picked Joe Flacco off 3 times with Tremaine Edmunds taking one back for a pick-6 to make the game 17-7. Despite 9 PDs, 8 QB hits, 4 sacks & 3 turnovers Flacco still found a way to finish 28 for 44 for 374 yards and 2 TDs. Flacco had to keep passing as the Bears completely shut down the run attack(18 rushes for 29 yards).
Grading The Bears:
Offense: Can’t really pin this one on Justin Fields. He battled and tried to make things happen. The run game wasn’t effective. Receivers dropped passes all game long. Robert Tunyon will still be thinking about that dropped pass that should’ve gone for 6. Luke Getsy’s calls during the game was inexcusably bad. Not attempting the kick at the end of the half to possibly put points on the board was a huge mistake considering the Bears lost by a FG. Another scary stat – the Browns forced the Bears into eight 3 and outs. Grade: D-
Defense: Sure the Bears couldn’t hold the lead and Flacco went off for 374 yards passing but the defense did everything they could to keep the Bears in it. 4 sacks, 8 QB hits, 3 INTs and 20 points should’ve been enough to get the win. Tremaine Edmunds had a pick-6 and Tyrique Stevenson also came away with an INT to halt a Browns drive. The way Montez Sweat is playing one could argue his $98 million contract is actually undervalued. Still… gotta find a way to finish. Grade: B
Special Teams: Cairo Santos only had 1 FG make and attempt while punt returner Trent Taylor muffed 2 punts, losing one of them. Grade: C-
Coaching: The decision to go for the hail mary instead of the points at the end of the 1st half was a true head scratcher. Matt Eberflus called a decent game defensively overall while Luke Getsy continues to be the anchor to this offense: Grade: Defense B/Offense D-
Both Matt Eberflus and Justin Fields met with the media after the game:
Final Thoughts: The Bears had too many opportunities to wrap this game up and continue their improbable end of season comeback. A win today would’ve have put them at 6-8 and a step closer to achieving the possible. The last second hail mary falling out of Darnell Mooney’s hands will haunt him and the team for the rest of the season. That play is also a microcosm of the Bears season – too many opportunities slipping through their fingers. That’s the mark of a team that is not ready for the bright lights. Even with this loss the Bears are somehow still alive for the playoffs… but they’ve run out of time and chances.
Up Next: The Bears take a trip to the valley of the sun to battle the Arizona Cardinals.
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