The Chicago Bears wanted that. In the worst method. Thursday night time’s blowout of the Washington Commanders snapped a franchise-record 14-game dropping streak, was the workforce’s first victory in 346 days and triggered a jubilant dance social gathering contained in the visiting locker room at FedEx Field. It additionally despatched the Bears into their mini-bye with a little bit of momentum and encouragement as they attempt to salvage the season after an 0-4 begin.
So the place does the workforce go from right here? How can Matt Eberflus push the workforce’s progress ahead within the coming weeks? Tribune writers Brad Biggs, Colleen Kane and Dan Wiederer supply their evaluation.
The Bears’ 40-20 defeat of the Commanders on Thursday night time was ___.
Brad Biggs: Mood-shifting.
The 40-20 defeat of the Commanders on Thursday night time was exactly what the group wanted to shift the temper within the locker room and the constructing. That’s to not recommend it’s been all doom and gloom at Halas Hall however profitable is the final word deodorant and, boy, the Bears stunk going again to the second half of the 2022 season. But one blowout victory — and the Bears had been actually dominant from begin to end — isn’t going to imply a complete heck of loads if the teaching workers and younger roster can’t use it as a launching pad. That doesn’t imply it’s a failure if the Bears lose Sunday towards the Minnesota Vikings, however for it to resonate, it’s acquired to be a part of continued improved play in all areas. The offensive line seemed cohesive even with Larry Borom persevering with to sub at left deal with and the transferring elements on the inside, and that was towards a defensive position crammed with former first-round picks. Justin Fields performed very effectively for the second consecutive recreation. DJ Moore seemed like a Pro Bowl performer. The working recreation was bodily and productive. The defensive position acquired after Sam Howell slightly bit. A patchwork secondary made performs on the ball. Cairo Santos remained automated. Surely the teaching workers could have corrections to place in place Monday however an extended weekend to refresh and benefit from the victory was exactly what the gamers wanted. With the Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders at Soldier Field within the subsequent two weeks, it’s potential this workforce may inch its method towards .500 however provided that the win at FedEx Field proves to be a turning level.
Colleen Kane: Much wanted.
Obviously, when a workforce is on a 14-game dropping streak it badly wants a win. But given all the drama within the first 4 weeks of the season and the rising exterior hypothesis about coach Matt Eberflus’ job standing within the days main as much as the sport, it felt, to make use of Justin Fields’ phrases, like a “sigh of relief.” The Bears possibly can work via the mini-bye with calmer minds — and with out the excitement about whether or not Eberflus will lose his job earlier than the Week 6 recreation towards the Minnesota Vikings. One win doesn’t erase all the points the Bears have this season or out of the blue cease the tide of questions on what may occur to the teaching workers if the issues proceed. The Bears want to indicate continued enchancment — and sure, outcomes — for that to fade away. The manufacturing throughout Thursday’s recreation on offense and protection, even towards a foul Commanders workforce, was at the very least a step towards higher days. But there’s nonetheless an extended strategy to go.
Dan Wiederer: Complete.
Not solely did the Bears get off to a quick begin with a landing on the sport’s opening possession, they lastly discovered a strategy to end. Not solely had been there offensive fireworks with 451 whole yards and 7 scoring drives on 11 possessions, however the protection lastly contributed a sequence of game-changing splash performs with 5 sacks and two takeaways. Not solely did the workforce’s greatest gamers rise as much as meet their moments — we’re you DJ Moore and Justin Fields — however unsung position gamers like Greg Stroman Jr., Khari Blasingame and Andrew Billings made well timed contributions. That is what profitable soccer seems to be like.
Over the final two video games, Justin Fields has been ___.
Biggs: Encouraging.
Fields made the sort of soar ahead observers had been hoping to see initially of the season. Against Denver and Washington, he accomplished 43 of 64 move makes an attempt (67.2%) for 617 yards with eight landing passes and one interception. Let’s put that in context for only a second. The offense mixed for 19 landing passes all of final season and solely 16 in 2021. He was sacked solely seven occasions within the video games so his yards per try internet common is 8.1, consultant of how he’s discovered alternatives for large performs downfield. An offense that has struggled to create explosive performs within the passing recreation for the longest time counts 12 move performs of 20 or extra yards within the earlier two video games. Yes, the Broncos protection is in shambles and the Commanders are on tempo to permit essentially the most factors in NFL historical past, however beforehand Fields had tough occasions towards nearly any opponent. So, these two video games stand as proof that Fields and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy are meshing effectively because the offensive line settles in. The play-action recreation has been explosive and DJ Moore is being highlighted. One would think about alternatives for large performs will exist this coming week towards a Minnesota Vikings protection that gambles loads underneath defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Kane: Improved.
Fields had the most effective two-game stretch of his profession, statistically talking, within the final two weeks with 617 passing yards, eight landing passes and one interception. But past that, you possibly can see the elevated consolation degree inside the pocket, the blossoming chemistry along with his receivers, particularly DJ Moore, his dedication to make a play along with his arm in addition to his legs, and his understanding of when and how one can do away with the ball. And then lastly, within the win towards the Commanders, you possibly can see Fields end, developing with the profitable landing move moderately than a fourth-quarter turnover. The performances had been very encouraging. Yes, they might have been towards dangerous groups. But he has to do it towards dangerous groups in addition to good ones. Now, can he maintain the expansion going?
Wiederer: In command.
Start first with Fields’ statistical output: 43-for-64 passing for 617 yards, eight landing passes, one interception and a 131.1 passer score plus 82 dashing yards. On the floor alone, these are the numbers of a big-time QB1. But Fields additionally handed the attention check in these two video games, displaying a greater really feel for every little thing round him. He ripped conviction throws into tight home windows extra recurrently. He took the open checkdowns when it felt proper. He had 12 completions of at the very least yards — eight of these to Moore — and operated with the juice that fuels a whole offense. The large step now could be to play and produce that method on a constant foundation, significantly towards higher-end defenses. But progress was clear within the performances towards the Commanders and Broncos.
The Bears’ off-the-field drama this season has been ___.
Biggs: Enough to fill a whole calendar yr.
But I don’t suppose any of it had endurance within the locker room with the gamers and that’s most likely an important level when you’re trying strictly at what impression it may have on this season. The gamers had been surprised when defensive coordinator Alan Williams break up, however a day later that they had moved on with the conclusion that nothing actually modified for them. Justin Fields’ “coaching” remark created headlines and rightfully so, nevertheless it’s value questioning after the final two video games if that was a second that drew him and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy nearer collectively. I believe a lot of the gamers acknowledged extensive receiver Chase Claypool was a little bit of a lone ranger in the way in which he operated. His self-inflicted points stand as an excellent lesson for youthful gamers of what to not do when adversity comes. Organizationally, the drama doesn’t replicate effectively. You could make a case Claypool ought to have been dealt with in a different way after his walk-through effort within the season opener towards the Green Bay Packers. The workforce didn’t compound an error by deciding to maintain him away after which commerce him. Coach Matt Eberflus stumbled a few occasions discussing the matter after the loss to Denver in Week 4 after which the next day. If the Bears can begin taking part in extra constantly on the sphere, usually that takes care of stuff behind the scenes that may in any other case look like potential distractions.
Kane: An undesirable distraction.
Players have mentioned the precise issues about staying centered on what they will management and the soccer duties in entrance of them. But wow, the Bears have handled a complete season’s value of controversy in simply 5 weeks. From Alan Williams’ resignation to kerfuffles with the media to the Chase Claypool scenario, it could be onerous for gamers to not be affected by all of it, particularly the Williams departure for conduct-related causes. And Eberflus’ and the Bears’ dealing with of among the points — at occasions being secretive or not totally clear publicly about what was taking place — didn’t assist quiet the drama. Thursday’s win undoubtedly helped lighten the temper among the many gamers. Some of them had been nearly giddy afterward. Now they might use a reprieve from the surface distractions too.
Wiederer: Rather a lot to cope with.
The abrupt and irregular resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams with what sources advised the Tribune was a conduct-related exit was the largest hearth basic supervisor Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus have needed to include and clear up after. The shaky efficiency and moody outbursts of receiver Chase Claypool rank second on that checklist, main Poles to commerce away the 25-year-old after he performed simply three video games this season and fewer than a calendar yr for the reason that Bears traded for Claypool. Throw within the frustrations and agitation that bubbled up because the workforce’s dropping streak ballooned to 11, 12, 13 and 14 video games and the Bears have had an inordinate quantity of messes to wash up this early in a season — and that’s earlier than the accidents and absences which have been a part of their sluggish begin. Perhaps now, with Williams and Claypool gone and that dropping skid over, the Bears can return to a state of calm, to a extra regular routine, to an uninterrupted means of getting higher.
The Bears protection wants
___
Biggs: A mixture of stress from the road and protection on the again finish.
With free security Eddie Jackson and cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon hopefully returning quickly — maybe this week — a more healthy lineup will assist. It’s troublesome to consider this protection can take giant or constant steps ahead this season except the rookie tackles Gervon Dexter and/or Zacch Pickens begin to shine constantly. That’s an terrible lot to ask of Day 2 picks, too. It is what it’s proper now. Matt Eberflus goes to have totally different plans based mostly on every opponent however he confirmed a extra aggressive aspect towards the Commanders with pressures, significantly ones involving cornerbacks, that proved efficient towards Sam Howell. The run protection has been a lot improved this season though Washington didn’t hand the ball off as soon as within the second half of that recreation, a statistical oddity. Defensive ends Yannick Ngakoue and DeMarcus Walker had slightly extra success and if they will carry that into coming weeks, that may assist. Opponents are averaging 31.4 factors per recreation and the Bears have to see if they will get that quantity underneath 25 so it’s not going to require a shootout to win every week.
Kane: To maintain producing sacks and takeaways.
Given that Commanders quarterback Sam Howell entered Thursday having been sacked 24 occasions, there was a transparent alternative for the Bears move rush to get going. And it lastly did, with the Bears protection developing with 5 sacks, greater than double their season whole to that time. The Bears additionally acquired two takeaways, a Greg Stroman Jr. interception and a Terell Smith compelled fumble and restoration. They had been the kind of large performs Eberflus has based mostly his protection on — and which want to seem extra if the Bears are going to beat higher groups than the Commanders. The Bears additionally have to see extra of these game-changing performs from their defensive leaders. It ought to assist if the Bears — who’ve been lacking Eddie Jackson, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon — get more healthy.
Wiederer: A extra constant move rush.
On Thursday in Washington, the Bears took benefit of a struggling Commanders offensive line and an inexperienced quarterback in Sam Howell to provide 5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits. The sacks got here from defensive ends and a linebacker and a cornerback, a complete workforce effort in creating the sort of stress that’s wanted to win video games. Repeating that manufacturing will turn out to be tougher within the coming weeks towards a sequence of veteran quarterbacks — Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr. But the Bears need to push to proceed creating and manufacturing stress via a mix of persistent effort and shrewd schematic wrinkles. If an improved move rush might be paired with a productive offense, out of the blue the workforce might unlock its path to success.
Biggs: A mixture of stress from the road and protection on the again finish. With free security Eddie Jackson and cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon hopefully returning quickly — maybe this week — a more healthy lineup will assist. It’s troublesome to consider this protection can take giant or constant steps ahead this season except the rookie tackles Gervon Dexter and/or Zacch Pickens begin to shine constantly. That’s an terrible lot to ask of Day 2 picks, too. It is what it’s proper now. Matt Eberflus goes to have totally different plans based mostly on every opponent however he confirmed a extra aggressive aspect towards the Commanders with pressures, significantly ones involving cornerbacks, that proved efficient towards Sam Howell. The run protection has been a lot improved this season though Washington didn’t hand the ball off as soon as within the second half of that recreation, a statistical oddity. Defensive ends Yannick Ngakoue and DeMarcus Walker had slightly extra success and if they will carry that into coming weeks, that may assist. Opponents are averaging 31.4 factors per recreation and the Bears have to see if they will get that quantity underneath 25 so it’s not going to require a shootout to win every week. Kane: To maintain producing sacks and takeaways. Given that Commanders quarterback Sam Howell entered Thursday having been sacked 24 occasions, there was a transparent alternative for the Bears move rush to get going. And it lastly did, with the Bears protection developing with 5 sacks, greater than double their season whole to that time. The Bears additionally acquired two takeaways, a Greg Stroman Jr. interceptionMNG-TribPub Wire ()
Source: www.bostonherald.com