Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the Lions-Bears game at Soldier Field. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears have fallen so far from grace after a 5-1 start, that no one is talking about their playoff chances anymore (for which, by the way, they were just one game out entering today’s contest). Instead, after five straight losses dropped this team to 5-6, everyone started focusing on the offseason and replacing Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy. (After a 41-25 laugher of a loss in Green Bay, in prime time, I don’t blame them.)
A few thoughts on the upcoming Lions-Bears game.
1. It's clear the Bears' ownership is giving this regime until the end of the year. But if Chicago loses to banged-up Detroit, at home, after last week's disaster?
I'm not sure how they justify not making a move on Monday.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 4, 2020
Enter today’s game against the Detroit Lions, who suffered a blowout, at home, to Houston by the same score. The Lions fired their regime (Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia) after that Thanksgiving beatdown, and they entered today’s game under an interim head coach — Darrell Bevell — who was under consideration for the Bears’ job back in early 2013, when they hired Marc Trestman instead.
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Nagy’s record against Detroit coming in was 5-0, and this game was somewhat of a lose-lose for him. Win, and “Congratulations, you beat the Lions, at home, after they just cleaned house.” Lose, and “Holy hell, you lost to the LIONS, at HOME, after they JUST CLEANED HOUSE.”
The reality is, the Bears absolutely needed a (somewhat convincing) win after last week’s horrendous loss — just to kick the can down the road to next week, with Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans coming to town.
In the end, the Bears collapsed big time down the stretch to blow a brutal game at home to Detroit. Just heartbreaking.
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. (PRE-GAME) The Bears missed Akiem Hicks, desperately, last Sunday night. The good news is, he’s back for this game. Nick Foles is also back — backing up Mitch Trubisky. It’s a bit interesting that the Bears made Trevis Gipson active for the first time in a while. As far as Riley Ridley being a healthy scratch in favor Javon Wims, my thoughts below.
Riley Ridley being inactive makes me think the Bears' game plan requires good blocking from their WRs.
So, start David Montgomery in your fantasy leagues, Bears fans. https://t.co/egFBQ1RH1Y
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
The Lions will be without star WR Kenny Golladay, rookie RB D’Andre Swift, and CB Jeff Okudah in this game.
The Bears clearly have the personnel advantage heading into this game, but as I mentioned in my pre-game Twitter thread above, don’t underestimate the happiness/energy from Detroit after cutting ties with the anchor that was Matt Patricia. Expect an inspired effort from the Lions today — a storm the Bears will have to weather. Can they?
2. This is a very strange start to this game. The offense has been solid…and the defense has not been solid. After a FG drive gave the Bears a 3-0 lead, the Lions were rolling on offense before a surprising decision by Jamal Agnew on 4th and 1 resulted in a stop.
What a stop!
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
The Bears took the ball and rammed it down the Lions’ throats, thanks to great work by the Bears’ OL.
I know the Lions are banged up defensively, but this OL combo is really playing well.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
David Montgomery is fantastic. Extending the ball at that angle, against his momentum, is a bit risky, but it worked, so…
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
But the Lions marched right down the field themselves (again) and scored a TD this time, making it a 9-6 game (both kickers missed XPs). It’s strange to see the Bears’ offense outperform the defense, but Matthew Stafford is not having any trouble so far today. And Darrell Bevell is calling an excellent game (again).
Another strong drive for the Lions. This one ends with a TD. Detroit hasn't had much trouble moving the ball against the Bears' defense in 2020.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
3. The Bears’ offense marched right down the field again, converting a third down (!!!), en route to another touchdown. This is incredible. They have two rushing touchdowns in this game, after having two all season. The game plan is balanced, and execution looks good so far.
What a response from the Bears' offense. Not really sure how to react.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
The defense would do well to match the offense right now. Let’s also see if the offense can sustain this.
4. Chuck Pagano really needs to re-evaluate his game plan a bit. The Bears have allowed multiple third-and-long conversions today. A 3rd and 13 resulted in a 23 yard completion, and the next play, Matthew Stafford launched a beauty to Quintez Cephus (dropped perfectly) for a long, 49-yard touchdown. It’s 16-13 Bears at the two-minute warning, but the defense is, for a lack of a better word, struggling.
3rd and 13 for the Lions and they convert. Bears' defense was nowhere to be found.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
Oh wow, Stafford to Cephus for an insane TD.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
5. This is kind of wild… The Bears drove beautifully for yet another one.
Two-Minute Tru marches the Bears right down the field before halftime for another touchdown.
I get it's the Lions, but this has genuinely been impressive all around on offense.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
The Bears’ defense, of course, decided to make it interesting again right before halftime, a squib kick was returned to the 35, and then the Lions converted another 3rd and 10 right around field goal range with enough time for two more plays.
Luckily, two Hail Mary attempts (passing on the FG attempt) landed incomplete (though they were very close). The defense really, really needs to get it together.
The Lions' Hail Mary attempt right before halftime is incomplete. That was… scary. 23-13 Bears at halftime.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
Lions get the ball back after halftime, so let’s see if any adjustments have been made.
6. After a big gain to open the second half, the Lions’ offense stalled after the Bears actually sent pressure on third down, resulting in Bilal Nichols’ sack of Stafford. But the Bears’ offense seemed to shift back to a different set of schematic plays on their first drive — gaining a first down before having to punt.
The Bears' first drive of the second half went poorly, quickly…
Third Quarter Bears are back.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
The Bears better hope the offense can produce in the second half moving forward — at least in controlling the clock — because the defense isn’t really on today.
7. After the Lions went (easily) down the field to score a touchdown, the Bears countered with another very good drive to score another touchdown. It’s 30-20 early in the fourth quarter. Mitch has played some very good, controlled football today, minus a throw or two. He’s been solid.
Also, great for Cole Kmet to score a touchdown at home.
That was a big boy drive from the Bears there, again. Great response.
And strong plays from Mitch. https://t.co/HzfBiDvaLx
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
8. Bilal Nichols with one of the most incredible INTs I’ve ever seen — he snuffed out a screen in plus-territory for the Lions and intercepted a sidearm toss to give the Bears a big stop — this, just after the Lions converted a huge third down again. Big boy INTs are great!
9. The Bears have had opportunities to put this game away twice in the fourth quarter, but they haven’t… It feels like silly mistakes, but mistakes nonetheless.
10. Matthew Stafford just drove the Lions 95 yards in no time. Just some ridiculous, unreal throws to carve up the Bears’ defense again. This is not trending well.
The Lions drove 95 yards… quickly.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
11. Trubisky fumbles inside his own 10 yard line on third down, needing a conversion to salt the game. This is so 2020 Bears.
Trubisky fumbles. Oh my god.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
And you bet, the Lions scored. Adrian Peterson rumbles in for a 34-30 Detroit lead. Just lovely.
Adrian Peterson scoring that touchdown is just perfect.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
12. I have no words for that final drive. A collapse of epic proportions.
That is a brutal way to lose.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) December 6, 2020
13. We might see a different head coach tomorrow in Chicago.
13.a. Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans come to Soldier Field next week for a revenge game of their own. Remember, Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City came to Chicago last year to demolish the Bears in prime time. Now, Watson gets his chance to count to 12 after he scores next Sunday. Expect him to take advantage, especially considering what the Bears’ defense put on tape today.
Early prediction: Texans 27, Bears 20.
