10 ideas after the Chicago Bears had 4 pictures from the 5-yard line and nearer within the closing minute however couldn’t convert in a 12-7 loss to an embattled Washington Commanders crew on Thursday evening at Soldier Field.
1. There is an issue with of us who need a weekly referendum on Justin Fields and the way issues are coming alongside in his growth on the most troublesome place to play in sports activities.
It’s not possible to measure on a weekly foundation, however so many are speeding to find out the precise second issues are starting to click on. It results in a number of questions searching for declarative remarks.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus mentioned he thought Fields took a step ahead within the Week 6 loss when requested if it was truly a step backward for the QB. I feel everybody accepted Fields was higher final Sunday in a 29-22 loss at Minnesota, however the second-half enhancements in that recreation led to 12 factors. It’s not prefer it was an offensive explosion. Expectations for quarterback play have fallen so ridiculously low that any spark results in giddy reactions that often ignore the massive image.
I completely perceive Eberflus needs to face by his man, however I’ve a tough time shopping for into the thought Fields took a step ahead in a recreation which the Bears scored seven factors.
“I think he took a step forward,” Eberflus mentioned. “I really do.”
Why?
“Because of the toughness, the ability to take the ball and drive it down at the very end to give us a chance to win it,” he mentioned. “That’s to me what was the improvement. Was there other moments we need to clean up and offense needs to clean up? Sure. But we have the drives down there, and if we punch those in, the game is a different game. That’s 21 points, right? So for me, that was really inspiring to watch him doing that at the very end. Got to do better job next time.”
The Bears went 0-for-3 within the pink zone and that finally price them the sport. Fields’ throw on fourth down from the 4-yard line was bobbled by Darnell Mooney and by the point the extensive receiver got here down with the ball, Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste had pushed the defender again throughout the goalline.
Fields made an incredible play with simply greater than a minute left within the recreation after the Bears crossed midfield. He dropped again to cross and wound up escaping out the left aspect, working 39 yards to the Washington 5-yard line. The Commanders solely had 10 defenders on first down from the 5; Fields scrambled for a 1-yard achieve. A second-down throw for Mooney was deflected by defensive finish James Smith-Williams. I believed a contact cross would have been a straightforward rating there. Fields missed Dante Pettis, who was lined tightly by security Darrick Forrest on third down, and Fields thought it might need been defensive cross interference. Then, Mooney couldn’t come down with the ball close to the pylon on a pivot route on a well-thrown ball.
The Bears have been in place to take the lead within the closing minute in opposition to a Commanders crew that entered with a 1-4 document. Sure, you wish to see the offense mount the drive there, however calling {that a} step ahead appears extensive of the mark contemplating all the pieces else that occurred.
“I’m just saying that — he asked if it was step forward, step back,” Eberflus mentioned. “For me, taking that drive to take us down for a chance to win it, that’s a step forward. It was during two-minute and it was when it counted, so to me, that’s encouraging. That’s a step forward in that light.”
I I’s straightforward to grasp what Eberflus is saying, however this was perhaps the best instance of Fields not making it deep into his progressions on many performs. Fields completed 14 of 27 for 190 yards with a 40-yard landing cross to Pettis and an interception by defensive sort out Jonathan Allen on a cross that deflected off the helmet of defensive finish Efe Obada. He was sacked 5 occasions and had 12 rushes for 88 yards with practically half approaching a future within the closing minute.
There have been a pair good throws to Mooney and Pettis, however the passing recreation was rocky once more with the gifted Commanders entrance bringing plenty of stress. Defensive finish Montez Sweat overmatched rookie left sort out Braxton Jones twice within the recreation’s opening sequence — an indication of issues to return. Sweat had 4 of Washington’s 12 quarterback hits and one sack.
“(Shoot), I give a lot of credit to Justin,” Sweat mentioned. “He kept getting up. That wasn’t our goal — to knock him out. We just wanted to affect the QB. When you affect the QB, you come out with good results. He was a warrior, for sure.”
Toughness and grit are elements you like to see within the quarterback, and Fields displayed an abundance of it. But he’s additionally most likely extra accountable than anybody for points within the pink zone. He was dropping his eye degree within the pocket, which led to a handful of the runs.
Fields is in a tricky spot for all the causes detailed right here for some time. The Bears wish to actually dissect his play on the finish of the season — they don’t wish to do it Friday as they assessment recreation movie and start a weekend self-study challenge. They didn’t do it final week after some enchancment at Minnesota. It makes for excellent banter, I suppose, however there’s a lot that should enhance and that shouldn’t essentially be a shock after Week 6 of Season 2 in offense No. 2.
I listened to the Ross Tucker Football Podcast Thursday afternoon. Respected NFL Films guru Greg Cosell, who spends an infinite period of time finding out the sport weekly, was on with Tucker. Naturally, Fields got here up within the preview of the prime-time recreation.
“I thought this week there were a couple of plays that you kind of said to yourself, ‘OK, maybe there’s some incremental progress being made,’” Cosell mentioned of Fields within the Vikings recreation. “They’ve clearly instructed you as a crew and training employees that they don’t need him throwing the ball an terrible lot, which in and of itself tells you a lot about the place they see Justin Fields at this level in his growth.
“Fields is really at this moment still lacking any refined sense of anticipation. He’s a see it, throw it quarterback. And by that, I mean he needs the throw to be clearly defined and he needs to see the throw, and in the NFL that limits the throws you can make because you have to be able to throw the ball with some sense of timing because of the defense. But there were a couple where I said, ‘OK, that’s what you want to see.’ Now, again, I don’t know if that means that there’s incremental progress that will continue or if it just happened to play out in that game. But the way I would say this overall is this: It’s a tough situation for the Bears passing game right now. It’s an O-line that is young and a work in progress. And they’ve got a second-year quarterback who at this point does not possess any kind of nuance or refinement to play the position efficiently from the pocket, so it’s a tough mix right now and you just have to work through it and you hope each week it gets incrementally better.”
If you’re within the Eberflus camp on this one, Fields acquired incrementally higher. Just don’t overlook what Cosell mentioned about environment friendly quarterback play from the pocket. It’s important for any dialogue of elite play on the place.
2. One space of Justin Fields’ recreation that wants work is the pink zone.
On the season, Fields has accomplished 3 of 11 passes within the pink zone for twenty-four yards with two touchdowns and one interception (the one which went off the helmet and into the arms of Commanders defensive sort out Jonathan Allen). One of the touchdowns was the little toss to extensive receiver Velus Jones on the fly sweep at Minnesota final week. Fields has solely been sacked as soon as within the pink zone and has carried the ball 10 occasions for 23 yards and one landing. I’m guessing three of these runs — at most 4 — have been designed QB runs.
It was a bit of one thing totally different on every pink zone journey this time and never totally all on Fields. He focused tight finish Cole Kmet ultimately zone within the first quarter and one way or the other the ball was low sufficient to go off the helmet of 6-foot-6 Efe Obada.
“That’s my soccer skills,” Obada mentioned, joking it was like a header. “I saw it coming. I was still rushing. It hit me and I’m like, ‘Where is it?’ I think (Fields) was trying to drive the ball, force it in there for the touchdown. The ball just came out real low.”
The Bears protection rapidly acquired the ball again after the interception, and Khalil Herbert busted off a 64-yard run on the primary snap of the following possession, the largest play on the bottom in a 238-yard effort. That arrange first-and-goal from the 6, which grew to become first-and-goal from the three after a 12 males on the sector penalty. Herbert ran for no achieve on first down, after which on a gorgeous play faux on second down, tight finish Ryan Griffin was extensive open however Fields overshot him when a fragile contact cross was wanted.
“I wasn’t surprised by (being that open),” Griffin mentioned. “That was the play design. We just missed on it.”
Said Fields: “When the play is there, make it. Plain and simple. There is no logistics. It’s not complicated. It’s when you have that opportunity, finish. We just didn’t do that tonight. You don’t have to make it harder than it is, pitch and catch. The one that’s making me mad is the one to Griff in the end zone. He probably could have ran a little bit more, but he’s wide open. I’ve got to hit that. I’m an NFL quarterback. I’ve got to hit that.”
Fields scrambled for two yards on the following play to arrange fourth-and-goal from the 1. To my shock, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy known as a handoff to Herbert straight up the center. The Bears tried working into the center of the Washington line — Allen and Daron Payne — and it didn’t work.
Later, the Bears acquired one other future to set them up once more within the low pink zone once more — they usually acquired nothing once more. Darnell Mooney ought to have made the catch, saying afterward he briefly misplaced the ball in stadium lights.
“If I just catch the damn ball the first time, we win the game,” Mooney mentioned. “I got to be there for my guy, ma. He called my number. I just got to be there for him.”
Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste knew which means Fields could be wanting.
“Game on the line and they’ve got their top receiver one-on-one against me,” St-Juste mentioned. “We name zero protection, man to man, no assist. I figured the ball was coming my means. I knew there was a mixture of sure routes he might have run, like a slant, perhaps a fast out. He ended up going with a zigzag (or pivot) route.
“Instead of looking back and playing the ball, because it’s such a quick and short throw, as soon as (Mooney) broke out, I decided to run through him and play his hands, hoping he would drop the ball. I just tried to drive through the man.”
Mooney bobbled it sufficient that by the point he got here down with the ball, the receiver wasn’t even with the goalline. Another failed alternative on an evening the place one rating would have been the distinction.
3. Is it doable the Bears misevaluated Velus Jones as a punt returner?
Twice in three weeks he has tried catching a punt whereas transferring to his proper and two occasions he’s muffed the kick, leading to a turnover. It occurred in his NFL debut in Week 4 on the New York Giants, and in Week 6, it arrange the game-winning rating for Washington.
Commanders punter Tress Way hit a 54-yard punt that Jones made the ill-fated option to attempt to to catch on the Bears’ 6-yard line whereas falling to his knees. The ball bounced off his helmet and Washington recovered, scoring two performs in a while Brian Robinson’s 1-yard landing run.
Jones has electrical pace, however for those who can’t belief a returner to discipline the ball cleanly — Jones has 5 returns, one honest catch and two fumbles — it doesn’t matter how harmful he’s within the open discipline. Jones spent six years enjoying school soccer and was used as a punt returner for one season — a 12 months in the past when he had 18 returns for 272 yards (15.1 common) for the Tennessee Volunteers.
“Simply I was trying to do too much,” mentioned Jones, a phrase he repeated a number of occasions. “The ball went deep — it could have went ultimately zone — however I attempted to run again and make a play on it. Should have let it roll ultimately zone for a touchback.
“I know the competitor I am but it wasn’t a smart play. Tried to do too much. We had a one-point lead. Should have let it roll in the end zone.”
Jones had one muffed punt in school final 12 months. The Bears didn’t get something out of Dante Pettis within the function within the first three video games — three returns for a complete of 1 yards and 4 honest catches — however they’ll’t reside with turnovers, not when they’re averaging 15.5 factors per recreation.
“Yeah, we are going to have to look at that,” Matt Eberflus mentioned of the return recreation. “No. 1 job of kick returner or punt returner is to catch the ball.”
Eberflus dismissed the concept wind performed a task within the pricey mistake. Jones might get a shot at returning punts later within the season nonetheless, however they should pull him out for now and take a look at another person. He’s not reliable at this level and groups are going to kick away from him and hope he tries to discipline the ball on the transfer, realizing he’s acquired a propensity for placing the ball on the bottom.
4. Will the Bears encounter plenty of what the Commanders did defensively the following two weeks once they journey to New England and Dallas?
The Patriots are positive to have stuff that Justin Fields isn’t acquainted with and the Cowboys have among the finest defenses with a dominant entrance that may get after the quarterback.
Washington felt prefer it might have success corralling Fields within the pocket as a result of they didn’t suppose he would make it to secondary reads typically or effectively. The Commanders acquired a gentle push on the inside andMontez Sweat gave Bears left sort out Braxton Jones a tough trip.
“That’s what it is — one read and he pulls it down and he’s running,” cornerback Benjamin St-Juste mentioned. “That’s why we sent a lot of pressure and ran mixed the coverages from man to zone. We knew that once he doesn’t see his first read — it’s not open — he just runs. We didn’t want to give him any time. It worked.”
“You gotta be real aware of how you rush,” defensive sort out Daron Payne mentioned. “He’s a slippery guy. You think you’ve got him and then he can get up out of there. You have to have awareness when rushing and really get him down.”
It’s going to be fascinating to have a look at the stress numbers. How typically did defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio dial it up?
“Everything was fine until we let the kid scramble for (39) yards,” Washington coach Ron Rivera mentioned. “That’s the heartbreaker. You’ve got him contained. You have a chance. You sack him on the first play. They convert on their third down. And now you’ve got them a little confused, and he pulls the ball downs and runs. That’s undisciplined. That’s where you get angry because, again, we had a chance to keep him — we’d done a pretty good job with a lot of the rush lanes. And for whatever reason, we got a little undisciplined at the end.”
5. One of the very best offensive line prospects within the nation is within the Bears’ yard.
Peter Skoronski is from Park Ridge, starred at Maine South and adopted Rashawn Slater because the left sort out for Northwestern.
Skoronski, a real junior, should think about his choices on the finish of the season. He has been on the radar of scouts and brokers, and the economics main who’s engaged on a minor in historical past may have a choice to make.
The evaluators I’ve spoken with have questions on the place Skoronski initiatives as an NFL participant, however what actually struck me when speaking to Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian and scouts is how rapidly the sort out emerged.
It’s uncommon to see a Big Ten lineman step into the beginning lineup Day 1 as a real freshman — and rarer for a left sort out. That wasn’t the plan for the Wildcats throughout the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Slater was projected to be the left sort out and Skoronski, one of the vital high-profile recruits Fitzgerald has landed, was going to be in competitors for a job.
“Probably competing for the right tackle position,” Fitzgerald instructed me after a follow earlier this month. “Came in ready to go. At Maine South, Dave Inserra and that staff did an unbelievable job. Guy was like valedictorian-level academically, freak show athletically, functional strength, great basketball player, he had it all. We thought he would come in and be an instant impact guy.”
Before fall camp, Slater made the choice to choose out and start coaching for the NFL draft within the Dallas space with Duke Manyweather, a transfer Fitzgerald and his employees supported. But it left them and not using a left sort out.
Bajakian, a Bears assistant coach below Lovie Smith for 3 seasons, arrived after Skoronski dedicated. Offensive line coach Kurt Anderson reassured the brand new coordinator that the freshman was the true deal.
“In terms of him being sharp and his intellect, to put it in perspective, one of the most remarkable things about him is that he came in and was a Day 1 starter despite not enrolling midyear,” Bajakian mentioned. “The purpose he didn’t enroll midyear is as a result of he was the chief of the pack for being valedictorian, so he needed to complete the varsity 12 months to earn the honors. Then COVID hits, they throw the entire thing into the tank.
“On top of that, he was a Day 1 starter in the COVID year where we didn’t have a real training camp. We spent half of camp running plays on air because we were going through all the rules of social distancing and we weren’t allowed to have a defense in front of us. … We eventually started practicing against our defense and then we go into Week 1. He’d been there for such a brief time and for him to perform as a true freshman against Maryland the way he did was amazing.”
Said Fitzgerald: “It’s about as unique as I have ever had on the O-line. You might have a skill guy, but on the offensive line with that instant impact, it’s pretty incredible.”
Helping Skoronski alongside the best way was Slater, with whom he bonded with within the brief time earlier than the left sort out left for the Los Angeles Chargers, about six weeks. They would textual content forwards and backwards and Skoronski would ship Slater follow video with questions.
“Rashawn spent a good amount of time watching practice, watching opponents, watching game film and giving me feedback,” Skoronski mentioned. “He still does that a little bit now (and has) been a tremendous resource for me.”
Slater hosted Skoronski on his official go to to NU, and that’s when their bond fashioned.
“I looked at his film and I remember thinking he had the most technically sound high school film I had ever seen,” Slater instructed me Thursday. “Guys can dominate because they are bigger and stronger, but he had technique. That’s really rare to see out of a high schooler.”
The linemen labored out collectively throughout summer time 2020 earlier than Slater, the No. 13 decide within the 2021 draft, left Evanston.
“What it shows the most is a love for the game,” Slater mentioned of Skoronski. “He just wants to get as much knowledge as possible, which is something I really respect about him. It’s crazy because he just showed up and started dominating as a true freshman. It’s been the same story ever since. It’s been cool to watch.”
Northwestern’s current struggles — the Wildcats have misplaced 5 consecutive video games since a season-opening victory over Nebraska in Dublin — have made issues difficult for everybody in this system, together with Skoronski, who was voted a captain.
“It’s been tough, especially when you are leading a team, you want to lead them to victory,” Skoronski mentioned. “It’s been forcing me to dig a little deeper and try to bring guys along. You can’t lock down and focus on yourself when you are a leader and things go wrong. ‘Oh, I’ll just play harder.’ You’ve got to bring other guys along with you. We’ve got to get there at some point.”
Skoronski mentioned his focus is on the Northwestern season however added he did some truth gathering within the offseason to study concerning the NFL and the method that might lead him to the 2023 draft.
“More than anything, just trying to work on my game really,” he mentioned. “That is what will get me there.”
Four NFL evaluators I spoke with imagine he’ll play guard within the NFL, however there have been comparable questions on Slater at the moment two years in the past — and he was a second crew All-Pro and Pro Bowl choice final season as a rookie for the Chargers.
“I thought he was a good player when I watched him in the summer,” a nationwide scout mentioned of Skoronski. “It looks like he’s better than he was last year and he was good in 2021. (Guard) is always going to be the thought when the arms don’t measure out 34 inches, that inside will be the best spot. If the feet are really high level, that can compensate for (shorter arms).”
Skoronski went in opposition to Michigan’s Aiden Hutchinson and David Ojabo and Purdue’s George Karlaftis final season and did properly. Hutchinson was the No. 2 decide within the draft, Karlaftis went in Round 1 and solely an Achilles damage dropped Ojabo to Round 2. Skoronski carried out properly and that might assist the argument to play him at left sort out, or not less than begin him there.
“I absolutely think he can play left tackle,” Slater mentioned. “It’s just a question of where the team wants to put him. He had two really great games against future first-round picks in Hutchinson and Karlaftis, so he’s shown he can do it at that level. He definitely deserves a chance and I think he will be dominant wherever he goes.”
Fitzgerald was steadfast Slater could be a left sort out within the NFL and he’s saying the identical factor to scouts about Skoronski. Whether the coach is true once more stays to be seen.
“So many similarities between Rashawn and Peter,” Fitzgerald mentioned. “They are different guys but they’re kind of cut from the same cloth — they’re O-linemen. They’re part of that brotherhood that makes them who they are. Both really off-the-charts intelligent, off-the-charts football intelligence, functional strength, there is so much comparison with their feet. They are such easier movers, it almost looks like they’re floating. Peter coming off the ball was a little bit different than Rashawn coming in — he could move people in the run game. That’s where you have seen Peter now become a complete guy, run and pass, and he was great in pass pro as a freshman. He’s a complete player.”
6. Matt Eberflus mentioned the teaching employees would launch right into a self-scouting mission, particularly about how they’ll higher put together gamers.
I get steady questions concerning the offensive line and potential adjustments there, and I’s positive these shall be renewed after this recreation.
“We’re going to reassess everything,” Eberflus mentioned “It might be a lineup change or might be technique, fundamentals, all that, scheme, how we’re running certain plays, who we’re getting ball to, what we’re doing well, what we need to improve on. So that’s going to be — we’re going to look at all that for sure.”
What the Bears are doing properly is working the ball. They have 1,025 speeding yards, essentially the most by the primary six video games because the 1986 crew rushed for 1,100 yards. Quarterback Justin Fields is on tempo to hurry for 799 yards, most likely greater than the crew would love, however they should clear some stuff up within the pocket.
The Bears dodged some damage considerations for the road: Lucas Patrick was evaluated for a concussion and returned and Teven Jenkins missed a handful of snaps with a shoulder difficulty. I don’t suppose we are going to see motion except it’s due to an damage till Cody Whitehair is wholesome — and he’s acquired not less than two extra weeks on injured reserve with a sprained MCL in his proper knee. I doubt the Bears are anyplace near evaluating how Alex Leatherwood can probably assist them. This goes to be the group. They should cross block a bit of higher and the quarterback has to carry out higher within the pocket, particularly when there’s room to climb and ship the ball.
7. The Bears have began to get the Justin Fields-Darnell Mooney connection going a bit of bit.
Mooney was focused a game-high 12 occasions after connecting final week on some vertical pictures. Mooney had a 56-yard reception in Week 4 and a sensational one-handed seize for 39 yards final week at Minnesota. He ended up with seven receptions for 68 yards, leaving him with 17 catches for 241 yards by six video games.
Mooney goes to have to select up the tempo to have a 1,000-yard season, a benchmark for extensive receivers that has change into a bit of simpler to achieve because the season expanded to 17 video games final 12 months. Mooney had 1,055 yards in 2021, averaging 62.1 yards per recreation. Many figured 1,000 could be a shoo-in for Mooney this season, supplied he remained wholesome. He wants 759 yards within the closing 11 video games — that’s solely 69 yards per recreation, however it’s in an offense that’s averaging 144.8 yards.
It’s been a wrestle for the Bears to search out 1,000-yard receivers, however they’re not on the backside of the league since 2000.
Most 1,000-yard receiving seasons since 2020
- 23: Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts
- 21: Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 20: Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers
Fewest 1,000-yard receiving seasons since 2020
- 9: Bears, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins
- 7: Philadelphia Eagles
- 6: New York Jets
I reached out to former Bears extensive receiver Tom Waddle of the “Waddle & Silvy Show” on WMVP-AM 1000 to get his tackle the challenges the franchise has in getting main manufacturing from the place, one thing that’s intently tied to the quarterback place.
“As a receiver, I am going to point the finger at the quarterback,” Waddle mentioned. “That’s tongue in cheek, clearly. But I feel you must draw a line between that, which has been some comparative ineptitude by way of receiver stats with the actual fact the Bears have by no means had a 4,000-yard passer and by no means had anybody throw for 30 touchdowns. Is it the rooster or the egg?
“At the top of the day, they’re complementary positions. When you get the quarterback place proper in spurts, you’ll discover (good seasons for receivers). Brandon Marshall? Well, Jay (Cutler) had expertise. Jay was a flawed quarterback once you have a look at him in totality. But Alshon (Jeffery) and Brandon, once you have a look at them, what did they’ve that others didn’t?
“Marty Booker had a couple of good seasons. Even going back to the end of my playing days, when Erik Kramer came to town, Jeff Graham and Curtis Conway both had a thousand yards in a season.”
The Bears, clearly, have plenty of heavy lifting to do on the place within the offseason forward. General supervisor Ryan Poles is conscious about that and there wasn’t a fantastic crop of free-agent choices to contemplate. They wound up with Byron Pringle, who’s now sidelined with an damage. Some will say, “Well, they let Allen Robinson walk in free agency!” Robinson needed to go away — free company is a two-way road — and he hasn’t performed as much as his contract with the Los Angeles Rams regardless of opposing defenses paying further consideration to Cooper Kupp.
“Those guys are getting drafted high now,” Matt Eberflus mentioned earlier this month when requested about extensive receivers. “It’s a premium position, for sure. And it’s an impactful position.”
The Bears can proceed to develop Mooney, however they should add to the place in an enormous means. Mooney most likely isn’t a No. 1 receiver. He can nonetheless be of nice worth to the offense if he isn’t.
“Guys that are smaller like (Mooney), Tyreek Hill is shorter than Darnell, but he is built like a fullback and he can do things Darnell can’t,” Waddle mentioned. “Darnell is an excellent participant, don’t get me flawed. But for those who’re anticipating him to rapidly advance from being a No. 2 to a No. 1, I simply suppose you’re placing too excessive of expectations on him. One of the one guys within the league that’s type of constructed like him and may do it’s Stefon Diggs. He’s most likely comparable (bodily). Maybe Stefon is a bit of taller (6-foot, 191 kilos to 5-11, 174 kilos), however he’s coming from a Vikings offense the place a 1,000-yard receiver is a continuing, and he goes to Buffalo with one of many prime two or three quarterbacks within the league.
“Darnell can be really good, but there is no complement to him on the other side and you’ve got a quarterback that is struggling to do the little things well.”
8. After a awful displaying on third down final week at Minnesota, defensive coordinator Alan Williams acquired aggressive with pressures.
This was a high-quality effort by his unit. The Commanders totaled solely 214 yards and transformed simply 2 of 11 third downs, a welcome sight.
Washington quarterback Carson Wentz accomplished 12 of twenty-two passes for 99 yards and was sacked 3 times. The Commanders hit a pair first rate runs, totaling 128 on 28 rushes (4.8), and that’s clear enchancment for a Bears run protection that was woeful the primary 4 weeks.
Usually the mixture of eliminating explosive performs — Washington’s longest play from scrimmage was 18 yards — and dominance on third down is a successful method. It means the opposition may have issue scoring.
The return of cornerback Jaylon Johnson helped a great deal. I believed the tackling was higher than it has been. It’s by no means going to be excellent, however it was improved. But the identical factor was lacking as mentioned final week — a game-changing play.
9. The beginning quarterback for the Bears’ subsequent three opponents have well being questions, creating conditions price monitoring within the weeks forward.
As I wrote earlier this season, typically it’s not who you play however once you play them.
Oct. 24: at New England Patriots
Mac Jones, a first-round decide in 2021, has been sidelined with a excessive (left) ankle sprain the final two weeks and has been restricted in follow this week main as much as New England’s assembly Sunday with the Cleveland Browns. Complicating the plot: Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to say whether or not Jones would assume the beginning job when he’s absolutely wholesome.
“We’ll see,” Belichick mentioned earlier this week, sparking hypothesis. “I don’t know.”
Jones’ backup is Brian Hoyer, a one-time Bear, was positioned on injured reserve with a concussion — in order that compelled Bailey Zappe, a rookie fourth-round decide who performed three seasons at Houston Baptist earlier than spending final 12 months at Western Kentucky, into motion. Zappe has accomplished 75% of his passes with two touchdowns and one interception in a bit of multiple recreation of motion. Maybe it’s basic Belichick, who merely doesn’t wish to present his hand, or maybe a depth chart change is forthcoming. The Bears are up subsequent following the Browns.
Oct. 30: at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are on a heater with Cooper Rush beginning rather than Dak Prescott, who has missed 4 video games since present process surgical procedure to restore his proper thumb. Prescott is training this week, however reviews are that Rush — 4-0 because the starter in Prescott’s place — will begin Sunday’s NFC East showdown in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t should rush Prescott again as a result of the Cowboys, who’ve been wonderful on protection, have been enjoying properly. Prescott instructed reporters Wednesday he felt “great” throwing to receivers in follow. Figure there’s a good likelihood Prescott is behind heart when the Bears roll into AT&T Stadium, however that’s not a lock.
Nov. 6: vs. Miami Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa has change into the image for participant security after he was injured in a Week 3 win over the Buffalo Bills with what was known as a again damage after which knocked out of a Week 4 recreation at Cincinnati with a concussion. He’s already been dominated out for Sunday’s assembly with the Minnesota Vikings, so the Dolphins will begin Skylar Thompson, a rookie seventh-round decide from Kansas State as backup Teddy Bridgewater is in concussion protocol together with Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa was a restricted participant in Wedneday’s follow, however there isn’t a timetable for him to be cleared from concussion protocol. Could Thompson be the starter when Miami involves Soldier Field?
10. The Bears demolished the New England Patriots 46-10 within the groups’ greatest matchup of all time in Super Bowl XX.
Here’s a nugget you won’t concentrate on: The Bears have by no means received a highway recreation in opposition to the Patriots. They are 0-4 all time, with two video games at Gillette Stadium and two at Foxboro Stadium. The final time the Bears defeated the Patriots was a Dec. 10, 2000, assembly at Soldier Field. The Bears received 24-17 as working again James Allen scored two touchdowns. The Patriots received the final 5 conferences with Tom Brady at quarterback.
10a. The Bears, who don’t have their bye till Week 14 (Dec. 11), may have a “mini bye” this weekend. Players shall be off, and with the Week 7 recreation in opposition to the Patriots not till Oct. 24, they received’t follow till Thursday. They may have conferences previous to earlier than that follow, however it’s an opportunity for the gamers to get contemporary, one thing Eberflus is often centered on. The Bears may have a fast turnaround following the Monday evening recreation earlier than a Week 8 highway recreation in opposition to the Cowboys.
10b. The Bears have trailed at halftime in all six video games this season.
10c. Former Bears security Chris Harris might land a defensive coordinator job within the close to future. Harris started his teaching profession in 2013 with the Bears as a defensive high quality management coach below coordinator Mel Tucker. He held that spot for 2 seasons. The 40-year-old was an assistant defensive backs coach for the Chargers from 2016-2019 earlier than being employed by Ron Rivera in Washington. Harris interviewed for the Eagles coordinator job in 2021 and the Colts spoke to him as a possible substitute for Matt Eberflus.
10d. The Bears will put on their orange jerseys and helmet once more Oct. 30 in opposition to the Cowboys.
10e. Another offensive optimistic: there was just one three-and-punt.
10f. Pretty good block from Commanders QB Carson Wentz on Roquan Smith. Wentz is listed at 6-foot-5, 237 kilos, and he knocked Smith over on a Brian Robinson run play.
“It was just an instinctual thing,” Wentz mentioned. “Any time I see a guy cut back, if I can get in the way, get in the way. If I need to actually block, I’ll block. Situationally down there, close to the end zone, I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com