The sprinkling of Chicago Bears followers who nonetheless have been standing within the subzero windchill at Soldier Field because the clock ticked down Saturday weren’t gifted with a victory.
The Bears protection had three takeaways but additionally gave up 254 speeding yards, together with three touchdowns on the bottom within the second half, within the Bills’ 35-13 victory. It was the Bears’ eighth straight loss.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields accomplished 15 of 23 passes for 119 yards. Every week after hitting 1,000 speeding yards for the season, he had seven carries for simply 11 yards. The Bears scored a landing on their opening drive of the sport however managed solely two Cairo Santos area objectives after that.
The Bills emerged from a 10-6 halftime deficit and scored two touchdowns within the first seven minutes of the third quarter.
Devin Singletary broke for a 33-yard landing run, and quarterback Josh Allen hit Khalil Shakir for a two-point conversion go on the primary. James Cook powered to the top zone on a 27-yard landing run for a 21-10 lead.
In between these two drives, Bills cornerback Dane Jackson compelled working again David Montgomery to fumble, and defensive sort out Tim Settle recovered it on the Bears 35-yard line.
The Bears constructed some momentum when linebacker Matt Adams compelled Gabe Davis to fumble and rookie security Elijah Hicks recovered it on the Bears 33-yard line.
On the following play, Fields hit Velus Jones Jr. with a 44-yard go to the Bills 20. But the drive stalled when Fields’ fourth-and-3 go to Ryan Griffin went for less than 2 yards.
Bears linebacker Nicholas Morrow bought the ball again for the Bears when he intercepted Allen two performs later. But the Bears settled for Santos’ 35-yard area objective.
Allen had a 4-yard landing run and added a 13-yard landing go to Dawson Knox late within the fourth quarter.
Read extra protection from Soldier Field.
Here’s how Week 16 unfolded.
Inactives introduced
As anticipated, the Bears will probably be with out 4 key starters as receiver Chase Claypool (knee), receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion), left guard Cody Whitehair (knee) and proper guard Teven Jenkins (neck) have all been declared inactive. The Bears’ different inactive gamers are tight finish Trevon Wesco, defensive lineman Angelo Blackson and quarterback Tim Boyle.
On Friday, the workforce additionally positioned cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson (finger) and Kindle Vildor (ankle) on injured reserve.
With Whitehair and Jenkins out, Larry Borom and Michael Schofield are anticipated to begin on the offensive line. This would be the eighth completely different beginning offensive line mixture the Bears have utilized in 15 video games this season.
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About the climate …
The Bears are 6-4 within the 10 coldest video games at Soldier Field since they moved there in 1971. Saturday’s recreation in opposition to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills may crack that frigid record.
The level unfold — the Bills are favored by 9½ — figures to be increased than the temperature on the lakefront, which is forecast to be 8 levels at kickoff with a windchill of minus-14. While the snow is anticipated to be out of the realm effectively earlier than recreation time, the acute chilly will check even die-hard followers’ bravado.
Many, such because the McGuire household of Northfield, plan to attend the sport whatever the situations. Stephanie, her husband, Dan, and their kids, Charlotte and Dylan, determined to begin a brand new household custom after Dylan gifted the household tickets to Saturday’s recreation.
“Football is a religion in the McGuire house, and what better way to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus than at Soldier Field competing against a great football team like the Buffalo Bills?” Charlotte stated.
Halftime: Bears 10, Bills 6
The Bills outgained the Chicago 183 whole yards to 121 within the first half, however the Bears went into halftime with a 10-6 lead.
The Bills had bother changing on their scoring possibilities. Kyler Gordon picked off Bills quarterback Josh Allen for Gordon’s second interception in two video games, and Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed an extra-point try and a field-goal try.
Bears quarterback Justin Fields accomplished 8 of 12 passes for 55 yards and a landing within the half. He ran for simply 7 yards on 5 carries. Running again David Montgomery had 9 carries for 60 yards.
Fields’ 6-yard landing go to Dante Pettis on the opening drive gave the Bears a 7-0 lead in opposition to the Bills. Fields had a 20-yard go to Byron Pringle, and Montgomery added a 28-yard run on the 64-yard drive.
The Bills responded by driving 71 yards in 3:19, with Josh Allen hitting Gabe Davis for a 19-yard landing go. Allen ran for 10 yards on a third-and-6 on the drive. Bass missed the additional level extensive proper, and the Bears maintained a lead, 7-6.
On the Bills’ subsequent drive, Gordon intercepted Allen on the 1-yard line and returned it 33 yards. It was his third choose of the yr.
The Bears didn’t get past their very own territory on the following drive, however Trenton Gills’ 68-yard punt pinned the Bills on the 2. Jaquan Brisker sacked Allen on third down on the Bills’ 4, and Pettis’ 12-yard punt return bought the Bears to the Bills’ 38.
The drive ended when Bears kicker Cairo Santos made a 37-yard area objective for a 10-6 lead.
Bass missed a 38-yard field-goal try extensive proper within the ultimate minute of the second quarter, and the Bears went into the half up 10-6.
‘That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen’
In a 3-11 Bears season, seeing what Justin Fields goes to do subsequent is a part of an oddly constructive vibe surrounding the Bears.
Yes, there are lots of arguments about the place Fields is at within the passing recreation. There are questions on how he can do extra to assist the Bears ship within the clutch within the midst of a seven-game shedding streak.
But as Fields has ripped off 15 runs of 15 yards or extra — together with touchdowns of 55, 61 and 67 yards — one factor isn’t up for debate: He has delivered a type of electrical efficiency on the bottom hardly ever seen amongst NFL quarterbacks.
“He’s made some incredible plays,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy stated. “And I think I’ve gone to (coach Matt Eberflus) every single time and I’m like, ‘That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.’ To be able to say that multiple times is pretty cool.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com