It’s to the point where the Chicago Bears are out of excuses and are quickly running out of time to get things corrected following their 26-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints in overtime. They started out showing encouraging signs of growth but points have been a chore to come by for most of the season. There are questions about the quarterbacks, playcalling, and roster construction. No matter how it happened, it’s disheartening to see after there was so much optimism following the hot start.
Out of Excuses, Bears Risk Running Out of Time
The Good
The Mooney Team
Chicago has been trying to get rookie fifth-rounder Darnell Mooney involved in the offense all season. To his credit, Mooney has often been open when the Bears take these shots downfield. Unfortunately, the connection, much like the rest of this offense, has been mostly off. He and Nick Foles finally connected on a couple of key plays in this one. One was a 50-yard bomb that set up Allen Robinson’s 24-yard touchdown reception. The other was a three-yard touchdown that brought the Bears to within three. Mooney finished with a 5/69/1 line and, perhaps, an improved rapport with his quarterback.
Just Kickin’ It
Not to be an alarmist, but the Bears have a kicker. Cairo Santos has stepped in for the injured (which might need quotes at this point) Eddy Pineiro and hit 14 of 16 on field goals. He hasn’t missed a kick since Week 3, hasn’t missed from inside of 40 yards, and has hit all of his (few) extra-point attempts. His last attempt and make tied it up, allowing for overtime. It’s been some time since there was this level of confidence in the Bears kicking game. Chicago brass says Pineiro (groin) is still in its plans, but it’s hard to imagine they’d switch back barring injury.
On the Corner
This is in appreciation of the entire defense, truth be told. But Kyle Fuller’s play has been nothing short of extraordinary this season. Aside from ranking among the best in completion percentage allowed, he has been bringing the lumber from the secondary. He’s been playing so physical that he has drawn a few defensive pass interference calls that were clean plays upon review. He and the rest of the defense have really done as much as can be expected. The “bend but don’t break” approach isn’t always effective. But it’s almost a necessity with this offense. Their most damning stats from the night are allowing Drew Brees a nine-play, 55-yard touchdown drive in 96 seconds right before half time and allowing 163 yards to Alvin Kamara on 21 touches.
.@AllenRobinson strrrrretches outttt for the TOUCHDOWN!#NOvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/aSmWLxigdB
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 1, 2020
The Bad
What’s So Different?
Nick Foles’ reputation certainly has preceded him. Known to be a streaky passer, Foles has had drives where he’s looked every bit the former Super Bowl MVP that he is. The problem is those moments have come so few and far between. In six games (five starts and a half), Foles has completed 66 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. That’s just two more touchdowns that Mitchell Trubisky and four more interceptions in three more games. Foles is completing a higher percentage of his passes but he’s also averaging fewer yards per attempt. There were several throws that should have been picked by the Saints that weren’t. Chicago might as well go back to Trubisky if this is how Foles is going to play. At least the former could create with his legs. Foles came in having been sacked eight times in four starts and took five more at the hands of the Saints.
Quit Playcalling
This is becoming a weekly dance. Matt Nagy’s playcalling once again needs to be examined under a microscope. He has had trouble getting the run blocked up and scheming receivers open. That’s as much a personnel issue as it is Nagy, but he is certainly culpable. Can we eliminate the bubble screen and pitches/tosses from the gameplan? Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano takes a lot of flack for the Bears defensive style, but he’s backed into a corner. How aggressive can he be with the Bears offense as ineffective as it has been?
Use Them All
Chicago entered Week 8 ranked second on third downs defensively. New Orleans came in as the best team on third downs but converted just two of 14 (15 percent) against the Bears. The problem is Chicago is 21st on fourth down defensively; allowing opponents to convert 66.7 percent of their attempts. The Saints converted two of three; including on the Jared Cook touchdown drive and the ensuing drive that resulted in a field goal. Part of why the Bears are allowing the conversions is they continue to give up large gains on third downs.
THREAD: My Zapruder breakdown of the Chauncey Gardner-Johnson/Javon Wims beef.
It begins on this play on the Bears’ first possession of the second half. After exchanging some words, CJGJ rips Wims’ mouthpiece off and it falls onto the ground. pic.twitter.com/wwQgcbKdJ5
— Evan Saacks (College World Series Champion) (@evansaacks) November 2, 2020
The Ugly
Punch Your Ticket Out of Here
Javon Wims might find himself looking for work after he threw punches at Saints safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson on the Bears second possession of the third quarter. It was apparently retaliation for the latter poking Anthony Miller through his facemask. Gardner-Johnson also took part in taunting Tarik Cohen’s height when these two teams met last season. Regardless, Wims’ actions were stupid and selfish, especially for a player with all of four catches and 26 yards (and a touchdown). Marshon Lattimore picked Foles on the next play. Wims will certainly be fined. We’ll see if that is as far as his punishment goes.
Out of Linemen
James Daniels and Cody Whitehair were already out for a unit that has had trouble blocking anyone. The Bears lost Bobby Massie and then, for a few plays, his backup Jason Spriggs. Chicago has surprisingly remained out of the free-agent market despite names like Quinton Spain (now with the Cincinnati Bengals) being available and being linked to the Atlanta Falcons James Carpenter. Perhaps now they will finally bring in some help because Foles was already getting hit plenty with the line intact.
Truth of the Matter
Now at 5-3 and having suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season, the Bears are out of time to be patient with the offense. They need to find some answers immediately or else they run the risk of ending up on the outside of the (extended) playoff field. It would be just the 18th time a team has started 5-1 and missed the playoffs since 1990. There is still time to right the ship but the signs of a turnaround have been scant.
Let's compare notes… 📝 pic.twitter.com/BtWcwc5lPa
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) November 2, 2020
Bears Out of Answers, Running Out of Time
Nagy, who looked visibly upset during his postgame press conference, has to be feeling the pressure as the cushion they built up has evaporated. Next, they head to Tennessee to take on the 5-2 Titans, who are also fresh off of back-to-back losses. They then host the Minnesota Vikings before the bye and come out to face the Green Bay Packers. The former just beat the latter and both look better than the Bears. What’s worse about Wims meltdown: that he did it or that it provides a distraction from another suspect showing from the Bear offense?
Nagy deserves props for sticking with Montgomery (23 touches, 105 yards) and the run but it’s fair to question the sequencing of his plays and personnel changes. It’s also fair to wonder why the Bears continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties. After finishing the last two years 11th and eighth in penalties, the Bears are leading the league in 2020. The last time a team that started 5-1 missed the postseason was the Vikings in 2016 but the Bears did it in 2012. The next few weeks will go a long way in determining which side of the ledger these Bears fall on.
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