Dhruv Koul shares his live, in-game thoughts and observations from each Chicago Bears’ game. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Bears had a great opportunity today against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field to match last season’s win total and set themselves up for an NFC North run in the second half of the season.
With divisional games the next three weeks against the Lions, Vikings and Lions again (Thanksgiving Day), today’s game to move to potentially move to 5-3 was critical. See this Tweet thread from Bear Report and Windy City Gridiron’s Aaron Leming that outlined the repercussions (click it to navigate to Twitter to read the whole thing).
Speaking of the NFC North, if the Lions lose tomorrow, their season is pretty much done.
Would be 3-5 overall, with a 1-4 conference record with Chicago, Carolina, Chicago & the Rams over the next 4 games. Even 2-2 would mean 9 wins & a poor conference record is their max.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) November 4, 2018
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With Nathan Peterman starting at QB for the Bills and rookie LB Tremaine Edmunds out with a concussion, today was set up beautifully for the Bears to take a game on the road, even with All-World EDGE Khalil Mack and WR Allen Robinson out with injury. I predicted as such:
The Bears have no excuse to not feast on defense — Just cover/tackle well, and this game should largely be in the bag. The Bills have a good defense, so Trubisky needs to take care of the football. If he does, the Bears should roll to 5-3.
Prediction: Bears 26, Bills 9. https://t.co/OWrCDg1xyK
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 2, 2018
The Bears ended up blowing the Bills out of their own stadium. New Era Field was emptying out in the third quarter. A dominant defensive performance, spurred by a couple of nice drives on offense, let the Bears coast to victory on the road. Big time win for Chicago in advance of their divisional stretch coming up.
I shared my live, in-game reactions, thoughts and observations below. If you want to continue the conversation, follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul.
1. PREGAME THOUGHT: Interesting that WR Kevin White was a healthy inactive today, as the Bears instead chose to promote RB Taquan Mizzell to the active roster today (and Javon Wims). This really lets us know how the Bears feel about White. The Bills’ secondary is good with Tre’Davious White locking down one side of the field, so perhaps throwing the ball wasn’t going to be a huge focus point today. But even if the plan was to run the ball most of the game, White is a good run blocker, so why keep him inactive?
2. The start to the first quarter was about what I expected — the Bears to come out and play somewhat down to their competition. On offense, Mitch Trubisky made an awful decision to take a sack instead of throw the ball away. That needs to be coached out of him. And I didn’t understand Matt Nagy’s third-and-inches play call to run up the gut with Howard. The Bills’ front was ready for it and they bullied the offensive line. Either a QB sneak or a toss play would’ve likely been more prudent. Perhaps that’s on Trubisky to change the play if he reads the stacked front? Either way, that play knocked them out of field goal range.
3. About Leonard Floyd’s start to the game:
Leonard Floyd having a good start to this game. He's been playing the run well all year, but we need to see him pick up the slack while Khalil Mack is out.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 4, 2018
4. On the ensuing drive, beautiful recovery by Trubisky to overcome penalties by the offensive line (a disturbing theme in the early going today) — he hit Trey Burton on a beautiful throw down the middle on 3rd-and-15, and then opted for a keeper to get Chicago down to the Buffalo 1. Next play, Jordan Howard touchdown. They took advantage of the short field and punched it in. Great to see.
5. Aaron Lynch with a strong start to the game as well. It’s nice to see him healthy and making plays — he’s gotten good pressure on Peterman and has also played the run well so far.
6. After a three-and-out that just missed Trubisky connecting with Josh Bellamy for a big play, the Bills got good field position and got 14 yards on their first play. But a big-time play by Eddie Jackson led to a defensive score and put the Bears up two touchdowns. Not only did the Bears kill the Bills’ good field position and opportunity for points, it created at least a 10 point swing. Great play, and much needed.
Excellent play by Eddie Jackson! Strip, scoop and score to put the Bears up 14-0. Other than some penalties and curious decisions, Bears rolling so far at New Era Field.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 4, 2018
7. Next drive, INT by Adrian Amos! Peterman actually made a nice throw on a deep dig to Terrelle Pryor, but he effectively dropped the pass and it was picked off. Good concentration by Amos to set up great field position for the Bears’ offense. Also, it’s a poor look for Pryor after this:
Terrelle Pryor on Nathan Peterman: "We're going to make him look good this week."
— Matthew Fairburn (@MatthewFairburn) October 31, 2018
8. Another one. Pick-six for Leonard Floyd, thanks to a great play by Kyle Fuller. He contacted the receiver within a yard of the LOS that didn’t result in a DPI (correct call), and Floyd was right there to walk it in. Bears up 21-0.
9. Tarik Cohen is ridiculous. Just ridiculous.
Today is Devin Hester's birthday. Tarik Cohen today be like: pic.twitter.com/bKgiS4U0do
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 4, 2018
10. Jordan Howard with an excellent run for a touchdown with 44 seconds left in the first half. That’s a back-breaker for the Bills. I wanted to see the Bears put a bad team away like good teams with killer instincts do. They’ve done that so far today.
Jordan Howard is back.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 4, 2018
Also, there should be no reason for Trubisky to make another throw today, if all else holds.
11. Of course, as I say that, first play on offense in the second half, Trubisky runs a play action pass deep down the field to Taylor Gabriel and draws a DPI. Killer instinct has been missing for the Bears for years. This was a nice attempt to develop that back. They cancelled out the points the Bills got on their first drive of the second half with that drive.
I didn't think the Bears needed to throw a pass in the second half. After the Bills kicked a FG, they instead just aggressively drove down field to get those points right back. Momentum killer for Buffalo.
Great attempt to develop a killer instinct that's been missing for years.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 4, 2018
12. Ensuing drive, Trubisky threw again and seemed to badly overthrow a wide open Trey Burton, resulting in an easy INT for Tre’Davious White. I’m not sure if it was a miscommunication or what, but it was an ugly INT for Trubisky. Of course, it’s much easier to swallow up 31-3, but still. Overall, Trubisky has had a good game and has made some incredible throws. But that one looked ugly.
13. On Twitter, I’ve been seeing a lot of nonsense about Trubisky having a ‘bad’ game because of one INT (when it was already a blowout). The Bills have a very good defense and a strong defensive front, and when this game was still close, Trubisky made some excellent throws to set up scores. I swear, some fans have nothing better to do except gripe. The Bears are rolling — stop being miserable for no fucking reason.
14. Bears’ defense has been flying around today even in garbage time. This is without Khalil Mack. I know Nathan Peterman was at QB, but still really good to see. And they got a ton of pressure on Peterman even with some reserves rushing the passer. They really finished this game well.
15. Losing Taylor Gabriel to injury in garbage time is a tough blow.
I love Matt Nagy. I have no idea why so many starters are still in the game. If Taylor Gabriel is lost for any length of time, that's awful. I hope he gets grilled about it post-game.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 4, 2018
16. Next week, the Bears return to Soldier Field to take on the Detroit Lions in what will be the first of three straight divisional games, with two of them at home. The Bears absolutely have to win at least their home games in the division to be taken seriously as a contender (and to improve their grip on the North lead). The Bears haven’t played well against the Lions in recent years, and Matthew Stafford is one of the best QBs in the NFL; though he just got sacked 10 times up in Minnesota in their 24-9 loss to the Vikings. I expect a competitive game, but I think home field wins here for Chicago.
Early prediction: Bears 27, Lions 24.
