Instant reaction: Bears come up just short, let another winnable game slip away in loss to Commanders

One thing is certain about Thursday Night Football — these games have been ugly. Knowing the Bears were playing in this one, everyone knew what was about to go down.

After going scoreless in the first half despite being inside the 10 twice, the Bears found some life in the third quarter with a beautiful touchdown throw from Justin Fields who found Dante Pettis. But things fell apart in the fourth quarter as the Bears let another one slip away.

Here are our instant reactions after the Bears’ 12-7 loss …

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Adam Hoge

I didn’t like the orange helmets. I didn’t like how the quarterback played. I didn’t like that he took a beating all night. I didn’t like that they couldn’t figure out Montez Sweat is good at football. I didn’t like that the punt returner couldn’t catch the ball. I didn’t like anything about that second-to-last drive. Other than that, great game!

Nicholas Moreano

The Bears’ defense made it an emphasis to get to a faster start after giving up 21 first half points against the Vikings. The defense did that against the Commanders – only giving up 3 points in the first half. Unfortunately, though, the offense was non-existent. Justin Fields almost willed his team to a victory at the end, but the unit only scored a lonely touchdown to Dante Pettis. The Bears are an inconsistent, bad football team, and there aren’t any signs of things getting any better.

Will DeWitt

I don’t know about you, but my stomach literally hurt watching Justin Fields take as many hits as he did tonight. Some were due to him holding on to the ball too long, but the vast majority was the offensive line simply providing no protection. Credit to Fields. He’s one tough S.O.B. Although it was fun watching the Bears come up with a couple of big plays on offense like Khalil Herbert’s 64-yard run or Dante Pettis’ 40-yard touchdown catch, you ultimately have to walk away from this game feeling frustrated as the Bears failed to put points up on the board every time they reached the red zone including on their final drive. That’s a recipe to lose games, even against the lowly Commanders.

Mark Carman

This one is going to take a while to digest. Good thing we have until a week from Monday. The quarterback took some steps forward– the bomb to Dante Pettis and the run that got the Bears in position to win the game. But the interception in the red zone and the missed TD pass to Ryan Griffin really hurt. Velus Jones should not be allowed to return a punt for quite some time if ever again which is not the plan. Ihmir Smith- Marsette with a costly drop. Very very disappointing. 

Greg Braggs, Jr.

Another devastating loss. One of many I fear. And each loss will claim another victim of the blame game. This week it’s Velus Jones’ turn in the bucket. Fumbles his second punt of the season, this time with a lead in the 4th quarter. The bigger picture is that Justin Fields and the offense couldn’t stack two solid performances in a row. An up and down day to say the least from the QB but he showed tremendous toughness and a willingness to move on to the next play. Gonna be a like this a lot this season. Get used to it, Bears Fans. This team has a long way to go.

Kevin Kaduk

Just when you think the Bears have found every way to deal you a gut punch, they hit you with another. There were so many different ways they could have toppled Washington, but they folded again and again. I didn’t have any illusions that this team was destined for great things, but a Thursday night win at home over Carson Wentz shouldn’t have been too much to ask.

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