Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the Texans-Bears game, also known as the Ryan Pace Bowl 2.0, at Soldier Field. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
CHICAGO — After a mind-numbing loss at home to the Detroit Lions last Sunday at Soldier Field handed the Chicago Bears their sixth consecutive loss (5-7), it’s pretty wild to think that, optically, things could get worse for this team. But here we are — today’s Ryan Pace Bowl 2.0.
A few thoughts on the upcoming Texans-Bears game.
1. The Green Bay loss was something they could throw away somewhat quickly, but a complete meltdown, in four minutes, at home, against miserable mess Detroit?
This next month will be a total death march.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 11, 2020
For those of you living under a rock, the Bears set the course for their franchise on a fateful April night in 2017, when they selected a kid out of North Carolina named Mitch Trubisky to be their quarterback of the future. Two other draft hopefuls were left waiting when the Bears made their choices — Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson.
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In the years that have passed, Mahomes has become the new face of the NFL, while Watson has proven to be a better QB than Trubisky — someone who didn’t even have his fifth-year option picked up, was benched three games in to 2020, and is certainly on his way out of Chicago this offseason.
Last December, Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs came to Soldier Field for a prime time battle, one the Chiefs were expected to (and did) win easily. But it was the image of Mahomes counting to 10 after scoring his first TD, a clear shot at Ryan Pace, that’s been seared in the minds of Bears fans since.
Today, Watson got his own shot to come to Soldier Field, get his revenge, and effectively rub the final bits of salt of the 2017 draft wound by slamming the door on the Pace era.
In the end, the Bears (surprisingly) took control of the game early, frustrated the Texans, and piled it on en route to a shockingly, yet refreshingly nice, easy win at home to keep their slim playoff hopes alive for another week.
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. The Bears won the toss and deferred, so fans were going to see Deshaun Watson QB a team at Soldier Field first. On the first third down, it’s inexcusable how much time Watson had in the pocket — especially when so much money has been invested in the pass rush AND Houston’s OL has been getting Watson killed in recent weeks.
Luckily, a blitz later in the drive forced a bad throw on third down — one that should’ve been picked by Eddie Jackson. Alas, a punt on his first drive at Soldier Field.
Eddie Jackson had a chance at his first INT. Oof.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
2. If you didn’t know the Bears had something in David Montgomery, you should be aware. He’s a heck of a RB. His lack of speed is evident, but beautiful execution on that 80 yard touchdown run. Bears up 7-0.
David Montgomery is amazing.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
3. The Bears drove from their own 21 all the way to the end zone for a touchdown. The Bears did that. Mitch Trubisky went 8-8 for 71 yards down the field and hit Jimmy Graham on a six-yard fade, one-on-one on the DB. That was easy? Trubisky off to a good start so far in the Ryan Pace Bowl 2.0. 14-0 Bears.
Jimmy Graham is back!
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
4. It’s wild to me how the Texans have no one at WR today (Brandin Cooks is out, Kenny Stills was released, Will Fuller suspended) and no one accounted for Deshaun Watson’s legs — one of the things he’s outstanding at. Aided by a sad breakdown on a 48-yard screen pass, Watson’s legs gifted Houston a touchdown to cut it to 14-7. No celebration, though!
That was kinda disappointing. https://t.co/SYl0cUAE8H
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
After a classic 3 and out, Khalil Mack struck again on a sack of Watson for a safety. He is absolutely playing on fire today. Bears up 16-7.
Mack is ALIVE.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
5. Another touchdown for the Bears. Darnell Mooney this time, taking a flat route and running into the end zone from 12 yards out. Bears are up 23-7.
If you're a Bears fan, even if you want them to lose out, this offense is actually entertaining right now. How do you not appreciate it? Not sure Bears fans have much room to be picky about *when* their offense looks good.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
6. That was a really solid drive by Trubisky and the Bears right before halftime. They utilized the clock very well and punctuated it with another touchdown before halftime. 30-7. Thirty to seven at halftime. Whew. The first half of the Ryan Pace Bowl 2.0 belongs to Trubisky.
Nice first half for the Bears. Getting that cushion here was huge. Great drive before halftime.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
7. Folks, the Bears scored in the third quarter! (A FG, but who cares?)
THREE POINTS.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
8. After a looooooooooong ensuing drive by the Texans that resulted in 1st and goal at the 3-yard line, the Bears held. A wide open dropped TD (must’ve been lost in the sun), an injury to Deshaun Watson, and then a fourth-down sack of AJ McCarron by Roquan Smith allowed the Bears to hold. It’s still 33-7 Bears nearing the end of the third quarter.
Roquan's fifth-year option is the easiest decision the next GM will have to make this offseason.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
9. Sorry, Bears fans. Covering this team makes you evaluate a lot of things differently. Here you go:
It's 36-7. Thirty-six to seven. If Bears fans can't be happy after a showing like this, give up sports. This is all meant to be fun.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
10. It’s a bit sad that Deshaun Watson should be benched to protect himself from further injury in this game. Protect your franchise, Houston. Take him out.
11. Terrific win for the Bears today. They are, indeed, still alive and In The Hunt.
A thorough, dominant win for the Bears over a bad Texans team. Taking care of business has been difficult for these Bears, but they did that today.
Also, me, thinking Chicago still has hope after putting up 66 points in two weeks. pic.twitter.com/YEOimKVGib
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 13, 2020
12. Look, say what you want about the Bears and bad teams and whatever, but they travel to Minnesota next Sunday for a suddenly-dead-critical game in both teams’ playoff hopes. Whoever wins is still alive, and the loser’s season is all but guaranteed to be over. That said, I don’t know if the Bears will have an answer for Justin Jefferson… so, give me the home team. The Bears’ season finally dies.
Early prediction: Vikings 24, Bears 17.
