Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) dives over Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (33) to score on a 39-yard touchdown run in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning, Chicago.
After two wins in three games, the Chicago Bears returned to being the Chicago Bears last night. It’s not entirely surprising given they were 9.5-point road underdogs on national television, but I think we all thought they’d have more fight in them than they did.
They did not and much of the fanbase was left with the choice of either heading to bed early or diving into their Netflix queues as the Bears fell to 2-6. Thanks to all the Diehards who stuck around until the bitter end with us as we did our live show at The Fireplace Inn.
Let’s get into the thoughts …
The defense isn’t fixed after all. Justin Herbert and Austin Ekeler are one of the best QB/RB combos in the NFL and they carved up Matt Eberflus’ defense straight from their opening drive. It’s a little surprising to see the Chargers’ 352 total yards because it certainly felt like much, much more, particularly when the Bears finished with 298.
Still looking for a good Halloween costume? Pick the jersey of your least favorite Bears d-lineman and go as a ghost. The unit forces less pressure than the McCaskey Family on a coach midseason.
Eberflus may not have been given a fair start with 2022’s depleted roster, we’re 25 games into his tenure and we’ve yet to see the team outplay expectations against a single good team. That’s pretty damning for a coach that came in preaching the fundamentals of the H.I.T.S. philosophy.
Last night was the other side of Tyson Bagent that the small pocket of reason within Bears fandom assumed was coming. He’s a rookie with obvious talent but still a lot to learn. I’m ready for him to continue learning and developing from the backup spot.
Is the outcome different if Darnell Mooney makes a more aggressive run toward the end zone and the official swallows that whistle on the first play of the game? Almost assuredly not, but I would’ve liked the chance to find out.
Why wasn’t the Bears playcalling as aggressive the rest of the game, particularly when it became apparent it would take a shootout to win?
The one bright side of Velus Jones Jr. dropping that ball in the end zone: The Chargers probably would’ve been able to stage another touchdown drive before the end of the first half with all the time left on the clock.
With Chase Claypool gone, it’s now Velus vs. Lucas Patrick for the most maddening 2022 roster addition.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 3 pm and my only thought is that I don’t want Ryan Poles to surrender a single pick. I don’t care who it’s for.
Don’t look now, but the Packers have lost four straight and are just a half-game in front of the Bears in the standings. They’d own the sixth pick behind the Bears’ second and third selections if the NFL Draft were held today. My new nightmare — and this should be yours, too — is the Bears winning a meaningless game in Week 18 and allowing the Packers to vault past them to select Green Bay’s franchise quarterback of the future.
