CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears continued their freefall last Monday night in Minnesota, losing their eight straight game in front of a national audience. Interim head coach Thomas Brown has not been quite the spark the Bears needed after firing Matt Eberflus, but at least his press conferences have been a little more substantial.
With three games left — two at home — it was interesting to see just how many fans would show up to today’s showdown against the NFC-leading Detroit Lions or next week’s Thursday night matchup against Seattle (the day after Christmas). Would fans still show up? Would there be a statement (again) to George McCaskey and Kevin Warren?
With the playoffs more or less out of the picture since Cairo Santos’ FG got blocked against Green Bay, the rest of this season has been entirely about making sure Caleb Williams a) gets out alive and b) continues to look the part. It’s been a very uneven road for Williams over the last few weeks — some excellent play, and some straight up confounding play. With three straight games against likely playoff teams to close out the season, more progress was wanting, starting with today against the Lions.
The Bears continued a disgusting trend of football — shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly en route to a massive loss to the Lions at Soldier Field.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the game below. Follow me on X / Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
1. On a cold day at Soldier Field, Caleb Williams threw the ball three times on the opening possession — two inaccurate throws resulted in a punt. I will certainly quibble with the strategy of throwing on three straight plays (yes the pitch to DJ Moore counts), but Williams’ accuracy is a major concern. He flat out missed on two of the throws.
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2. This team is an absolute atrocious mess with a clear eye towards the offseason. Thomas Brown apparently wants to keep using his WRs as RBs, and that resulted in a Rome Odunze fumble on a handoff. (It’ll go down as Caleb’s fumble, but that was on Odunze.) The Lions bullied the Bears down the field after recovering the fumble to go up 10-0. In between, Tyrique Stevenson had a good jump on an arrow route that went right through his hands. Just a disgusting display through half a quarter at Soldier Field.
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3. This is certainly a game Rome Odunze will want to forget. After the fumble on the handoff, he fumbled after a big gain on a WR screen that had set them up in Lions territory. He didn’t secure the ball when surrounded by defenders and lost it when going down. Honestly, inexcusable. Just inexcusable.
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4. Jameson Williams blew past a two-high shell of Stevenson and Owens and Jared Goff found him for an 82-yard touchdown. It’s 20-0 in the second quarter. Yeah, we’re about done here.
5. Honestly, the question becomes how many players will the new regime even keep? There’s no doubt they need significant coaching upgrades, but are these players even worth keeping around? How many get punted? The number of “untouchables” on this roster doesn’t appear to be very big anymore.
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6. Teven Jenkins left the game again with a calf injury (Doubtful to return). Braxton Jones got carted off in an air cast after a 4th and 3 conversion in the second quarter. The concern becomes his availability for next season — as he is a good LT and now might not be healthy to play. Horrifying.
7. Before halftime, Caleb Williams orchestrated two very nice touchdown drives — the second one right before halftime. Two majestic throws — one to DJ Moore to beat a deep zone, and one to Keenan Allen down the sideline on a double move — brought Chicago back to a 27-14 deficit. Beautiful throws from Caleb — he is looking sharper as the afternoon continues.
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8. The Ben Johnson Fumblerooski play is the final interview. He nailed it. A sensational trick play where both Goff and Gibbs faked a fumble off tripping and Sam La Porta ran straight through for a touchdown. Beautiful. Just give Johnson the job, man.
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9. Thomas Brown’s decision to kick a field goal inside the red zone to make a 20-point game a 17-point game (both three scores)… why? What purpose does that serve?
10. The Bears turned 1st and 5 at the Lions’ 22 into a 4th and 25 at the Lions’ 42 (punting). This team is something special. I’ve never seen anything like it. Another fitting loss with stupid mistakes, poor execution and more of the same.
But Caleb played well overall. Other than his first throw of the day (which was bad), he was largely accurate, decisive and had good feel in the pocket. He needs to translate some of this comfort when going on the road, but it was a good performance today.
11. Back in front of a national audience on Thursday night when the Seattle Seahawks visit Chicago after Christmas Day. Who cares?
Early prediction: Seahawks 26, Bears 16.
