Special Team play killed us. Blocked punt, missed field goal, not kicking ball out of bounds just before 2 minute warning – these all contributed to the loss. Caleb needs to hit the open receivers as well. We hit even one open throw, that is six points and the dagger the Bears needed to put this game in the icebox. Lastly, the 127 yards lost on 12 penalties cost us momentum. Putting aside the debatable pass interference penalty on Stevenson and holding call on Wright, the operational False start penalties are directly in our control. Is Caleb’s cadence call the reason for the penalties or are they caused by individual player brain farts?

So disappointing to lose tonight when our winning percentage was 94% going into the fourth quarter. I will be watching Caleb game performances going forward to determine if he gets things sorted out or if he continues to miss the game changing throws. Like everyone else, I want Caleb to be our guy going forward but we can’t compromise if it turns out he can’t improve in time working with Ben Johnson and our excellent coaching staff.

FGB. Go Bears!

Jahns, can we get clarification on the kickoff. If he had kicked it out of bounds instead of trying to kick it out of the end zone, couldn’t the Vikings just decline the ball at the 40 and make the Bears rekick from 5 yards back? Thus kicking out of the end zone was the only option or 5 yards short of the landing zone?

Why are we, the Bears fans, always told to be patient? Why can’t we expect to just win a game when they’re up by 11 in the 4th. Are Vikings talking heads preaching patience with JJ to their fans? How about the Commanders, they didn’t have to be very patient last year, or the Broncos for that matter. Why are we always talking about patience, the big picture, a year from now, etc? Why can’t the Bears be like the rest of the NFL and just get it right for once

The truth is, I’m old school. I DVR the games and usually wait an hour and a half before I hit play. Back in the Foxxy days, I’d wait for O’B, Hampton, & Carm to learn who won. I usually just deleted the game without watching based on the loss. That being said, I did the same last night and fast-forwarded through the 4th as I knew the D was gassed (can’t wait for only 2 preseason games…) and the secondary was suspect. I couldn’t watch another young QB come in and move the Bears around at will.

To be clear, this was a team meltdown. The O-line was average, Caleb was taking too much time, inaccurate, and the D couldn’t get a pass rush in the 4th and had gapping holes in the middle. Oh yeah, Special Teams is a reflection of depth (not good), and Taylor takes too many steps for the line to protect. I heard the Adam(s) say Taylor produces results in practice, but there is little to no rush (protecting him from injury). I’d start rushing him and see what happens.

The upside is this is only game one, and Ben will learn and hold himself and his team accountable. I know great quarterbacking takes time; I’ve seen it over the past 50+ years of watching football. I see greatness in Caleb, but he has to trust his teammates.

Here’s hoping I don’t have to delete games before I watch them this year. Bear Down!