Instant reactions: The Bears lose to the Cowboys, but they finally have a quarterback

The Chicago Bears took an ‘L’ in the standings on Sunday, dropping a 49-29 decision to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Arlington, Texas.

But when it comes to the overall goal of 2022 — making sure they have a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields — they took a decided win.

Fields was more than solid in the loss, completing 17 of 23 passes for two touchdowns and a 120 QB rating. He also carried the ball eight times for 60 yards and a three-yard touchdown.

The defense, however, was crummy as it couldn’t stop Dallas running back Tony Pollard (131 yards, three touchdowns) or quarterback Dak Prescott (250 yards, two touchdowns).

The Bears are now 3-5 as they come back to Chicago next Sunday to face the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field.

Here are our instant reactions to the loss in Dallas …

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Adam Hoge

The Bears have a quarterback. That’s my main takeaway. Yes, the Bears’ defense was awful, but the Cowboys are a really good team — on defense too. The most points they had given up all year was 26, and the Bears scored 29. Clearly, Fields and the offense are making strides. In the big picture, this week was a win for the Bears.

Nicholas Moreano

Bears fans showed up to AT&T Stadium in full force. The same could not be said for Chicago’s defense, which gave up 28 points in the first half and 42 total. The only reason this game didn’t get completely out of hand was because of Justin Fields. Defensive coordinator Alan Williams’ unit gave up 442 total yards and forced the Bears to chase the entire game. Although disappointing, Fields stacked another good game, and that is a positive.

Will DeWitt

This week’s outcome doesn’t surprise. It was a tough ask of the Bears to walk out of Dallas with a victory. What was surprising, however, was the lack of resistance from the defense as the Cowboys had their way for the majority of the game. When I look back at this game, I’m going to maintain my focus on Justin Fields putting together another solid performance. Another game going over two hundred total yards? Oh, and three touchdowns from QB1? You love to see it. And you can’t blame this loss on him, too.

Greg Braggs Jr.

Today was the difference of a Super Bowl roster vs a roster in its first year of a rebuild. Simple as that. The Cowboys flexed their muscles on offense and the Bears defense did very little to stop it. Especially in the run game. Roquan trying to get paid? The silver lining is Justin Fields and the Bears offense has put up 33 and 29 points in back to back weeks on the road vs good defenses. Suddenly the Bears offense is not the issue. Big picture for the franchise, that’s a great thing. And the fight this whole team shows week to week has to be noted. But for today, a huge letdown for the defense giving up 49 points. Back to Soldier Field next week.

Mark Carman

It would have been amazing for the Bears to follow up last week’s win over New England with a Dallas stunner but the defense was nowhere close to the task. The Bears missed Robert Quinn, and Roquan Smith, Nicholas Morrow and players to have named later. BUT Justin Fields took another step forward leading the Bears offense. Touchdown passes to Cole Kmet and N’Keal Harry were sweet as were 69 more yards on the ground. Fields continues to get better and at the end of the day that is what the Bears are looking for more than anything else.

Kevin Kaduk

It’s crazy that an opponent can hang 49 points on the Bears and I don’t feel strong feelings of despair. But Justin Fields and the Bears offense put up a season-high points total amongst Cowboys opponents and fought their way back into a game that started out 28-7. The defensive performance is concerning, sure, but there’s plenty of time (and money) to improve it as Ryan Poles imparts his plan.

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