Nick Foles might be the third-string quarterback for the Chicago Bears, but nobody can ever say the guy has lost his knack for late-game magic. That was on display again Sunday. Despite a lost season, the veteran quarterback managed to play a relatively efficient game despite tough weather conditions and a solid Seattle Seahawks pass rush. In the 4th quarter, the Bears trailed 24-17.
Things looked bleak. They got the ball with just under three minutes left. Then Foles went to work, going 4-of-5 on the drive for 84 yards including a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham. On 3rd and 14 no less. It was a gotta-have-it moment and the former Super Bowl MVP delivered. Then when the Bears went for two, he struck again with a completion to Damiere Byrd for the conversion to take a 25-24 lead.
The defense got a stop on the next series and Chicago held on.
While the win might be meaningless to the overall season, it was a nice feel-good moment for Bears fans. It was also some vindication for Foles. A guy who is better than any third-string quarterback and most backups as well. This was a reminder the guy can still play in this league. Despite standing behind an iffy offensive line and having to play in an offensive system that is well-documented to be bad.
In fact, Foles seems to have been one of its more outspoken critics since last year. He was seen in an animated discussion with Matt Nagy against Tampa Bay last year about it. Then he somewhat infamously was seen muttering the words “the offense just isn’t working” in the loss to Cleveland back in Week 3. He had a chance to address the state of things after the game. The veteran carefully chose to slide away from the question instead.
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Nick Foles choosing silence now said plenty
Both about the offense and himself as a person. It looked like he had plenty to say just from his face while answering the question. The scheme didn’t win the game for the Bears. It was mostly about a couple of lucky bounces mixed with some great individual efforts. Darnell Mooney caught a big 30-yard pass to open the final drive coupled with a roughing the passer penalty. Then Foles doing the simple thing in the red zone by throwing the ball up to the 6’6 Jimmy Graham.
Last but not least was Byrd making an outstanding individual effort to catch the 2-point conversion. All of this while going against a bad Seahawks team. Nagy’s staff still made the same questionable calls during the game. Managed the game poorly. Showed the same lack of organization and discipline. This time they just managed to catch a few breaks and make enough plays to escape with a win.
The game shouldn’t change anything.
Chicago is still not good offensively and isn’t going to the playoffs. They went from 4-10 to 5-10. That is pretty much it. There was no sense in Nick Foles saying anything. Why kick Nagy when he’s down? The coach is likely gone next month anyway. Foles knows. He could’ve said plenty but is too good of a person for that.
