Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the crucial Bears-Jaguars game at TIAA Bank Stadium. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Chicago Bears were given a belated holiday gift on Saturday night, courtesy of the San Francisco 49ers. Kyle Shanahan’s depleted, broken, and death-marching team went into State Farm Stadium and pretty much dominated the Arizona Cardinals, opening the door for the Bears to control their own playoff destiny.
Playing Santa 🎁 pic.twitter.com/CzfyhnkRqi
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 27, 2020
Here are the Bears’ updated playoff scenarios:
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- Win out (at JAX, vs. GB)
- Win one game (at JAX, vs. GB); ARI loses next Sunday to LA
But the best news of all for Chicago heading into today’s game in Jacksonville was that they controlled their own playoff destiny. They needed to beat the Jaguars today to keep control and set up a win-and-in in Week 17 at home. Could the new-look Bears deliver?
Thoughts on the upcoming Bears-Jaguars game (a day early due to the holiday tomorrow):
1. The Bears have a few possible playoff scenarios — one that could even net them the 6th seed! But nothing matters more than just beating Jacksonville this Sunday. Take care of business.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 24, 2020
In the end, the Bears overcame a sloppy first half to dominate the Jaguars 41-17. It sets up a win-and-in next Sunday against Green Bay at Soldier Field. What a remarkable turnaround for this team.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the game below. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. (PREGAME) Mike Glennon is starting at QB for the Jaguars — it’s officially the Mike Glennon Revenge Game! Rookie sensation RB James Robinson is also out for Jacksonville, meaning the already-bad Jaguars are further depleted on offense.
(This is not a homer tweet, more like a “…How?” tweet.)
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 26, 2020
The Bears really, really should win this game handily. Like I said in my Pregame Thoughts thread above, domination on both sides of the ball should be expected to confirm to us that the Bears’ recent spell of play is real.
2. The Jaguars got the ball on offense first and, honestly a bit shockingly, drove down the field (converting two clutch third downs) before stalling out in the red zone for a FG to go up 3-0. Unsurprisingly, Chuck Pagano made some questionable choices in allowing the third downs to be picked up. He really needs to get this cleaned up/fixed before the Bears take on a better team.
The Bears hold in the red zone, but the Jaguars should never have been there.
Nagy needs to go have a little talk with Chuck. https://t.co/0xQeA598f0
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
However, the offense responded splendidly by driving 75 yards in 10 plays to go up 7-3, with the finishing play being a slant to Jimmy Graham thrown between two defenders. Mitch looked sharp enough, and David Montgomery added a chunk run.
Great pick-me-up drive by the offense. It’s been their M.O. lately.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
3. The Bears drove down the field on their second drive and got to the 1/2 yard line. First and goal at the 1/2 yard line. And they kicked a field goal. That is, frankly, inexcusable against any defense, but especially so against the Jaguars.
Of course, the defense had no answers for quick out routes from the Jaguars all the way down the field, and Mike Glennon’s beautiful toss to D.J. Chark from 20 yards tied the game at 10 midway through the second quarter. Yes, that’s right, it’s almost halftime and the Bears are tied with the Jaguars.
The Mike Glennon Revenge Game is real.
This is unacceptable from Chuck Pagano.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
Can the Bears justify going into next week, forget about next season, with Pagano as their DC? The lack of adjustments and poor base calls are killing this defense.
4. That was about as ugly a sequence to finish the first half as I’ve seen in a long time. Mitch Trubisky drove the Bears down from his own red zone to the JAX red zone, and with about 30 seconds left, took a 1st and 10 snap and chucked it into trillion-coverage in the end zone for an INT to kill a promising drive. It was one of the worst mistakes a Bears QB has made this season — and there have been plenty.
Mitch is not coming back to Chicago.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
(He can’t, because he keeps making dumb mistakes like that that kill drives and potentially change games.)
Luckily for the Bears, Mike Glennon gave it right back — throwing a pick over the middle to Roquan Smith. However, Smith was injured on the return, and it did not look good. Hopefully he is OK — the Bears really, really need him.
Roquan better be okay… that is potentially devastating.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
Thankfully, Cairo Santos was able to nail a 40-yarder as the clock expired. He’s now made 24 straight field goals, and is in line for a nice extension. He has to be — it’s so well deserved. Bears lead 13-10 after the madness. However…
5. The Bears did not look like a playoff team in the first half, whatsoever. They would do well to wake up and make adjustments at halftime. I imagine Matt Nagy has certain words he’d like to convey to his defensive coordinator and his quarterback.
The Bears lead 13-10 at halftime, but it should be more.
Nagy better rip his team apart at halftime.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
(I was pulled away from coverage after halftime, so my remaining observations are from catching up on snippets of tape.)
6. Trubisky is extremely lucky to have not gifted the Jaguars a 14-point swing at the beginning of the third quarter… but a good recovery drive from him and the offense put the Bears up 27-10.
7. Allen Robinson was unguardable on third down. The Bears really need to figure out a way to keep him. He and Darnell Mooney are outstanding WRs 1 and 2. Unfortunately, the Bears’ schematic changes make Anthony Miller an outcast, so they may try to recoup some value from him in the offseason.
8. Roquan Smith is elite. Two tremendous INTs today. Glad to see he was healthy, too.
9. David Montgomery appreciation tweet:
David Montgomery is over 1,000 rushing yards for the year. So well deserved.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
10. It got so crazy that:
Nick Foles went from Matt Nagy’s starting QB to his victory cigar.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
But honestly, the second half was exactly what the Bears needed (and their fans needed) to see. A domination of a team they absolutely should dominate. It sets up a whole new vibe for next week’s finale against the Packers at Soldier Field.
Artavis Pierce with a TD. This is the second half the Bears and their fans needed. A legitimate rout.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
11. Overall, I’m not sure what Matt Nagy said to his team at halftime, but it worked. A total evisceration. The guy can coach, folks.
There it is. The Bears handle business in Jacksonville and have taken possession of the seventh NFC playoff spot.
Win next Sunday and the Bears are in the playoffs. Remarkable turnaround for a team that was left for dead three weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/f1dby0dmgt
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 27, 2020
12. Here we are, the Bears are 8-7 and make the playoffs next Sunday with a win over Green Bay (or a Cardinals loss to the Rams). The Bears took care of business today, and looked good doing so, especially in the second half. Depending on what happens with Rams-Seahawks and Titans-Packers tonight, we’ll see what kind of team/effort Green Bay puts forth next Sunday. But the Bears shouldn’t care — go out and win no matter what. Can they? I’ll need to see them in action tonight before I can make my real pick…
Early prediction: Packers 24, Bears 20.
