MINNEAPOLIS -- There's no real need for a big preamble here. After taking over for fired head coach Matt Eberflus last week, Thomas Brown's Chicago Bears fell completely flat in San Francisco, losing to a similarly lost season 49ers team in Brown's interim debut.
The offense was lost. The defense was inept. And it was the worst possible debut considering how much the players played a part in getting Eberflus fired.
With the Bears officially eliminated from playoff contention, they traveled to Minnesota this week to take on the Vikings in prime time. All that was left to play for was pride. Pride, and Caleb Williams' development. Could the Bears at least show up respectably?
In the end, the Bears shot themselves in the foot repeatedly -- yet again -- to lose in embarrassing and major fashion in front of another national audience.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the game below. Follow me on Twitter/X @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. (PREGAME) -- No Braxton Jones and no Gervon Dexter in this one. The Bears' OL played fairly well in their last meeting against Brian Flores' defense. On the road this time, and without their left tackle? Ooof. Figures to be a tough game. Likewise on the defensive side of the ball -- without Dexter, Aaron Jones figures to run for 150 yards by himself. Brutal season for the Bears simply continues.
2. I liked Thomas Brown's decision to go for it on his own 39-yard line on the opening drive. I didn't like the play call. A toss to a non-short-yardage back in D'Andre Swift is the call? They signed the 240-pound Royce Freeman this week - feels like they could run power with him there.
Good job by the defense though to hold Sam Darnold and the Vikings' offense to three points. Good pressure by DeMarcus Walker a couple times on that drive.
3. Kiran Amegadjie was hurt when he was drafted out of Yale. He went from no training camp time due to injury, to starting in place of Jones. Well, he looks like a rookie who has barely practiced. He was beaten so badly off the line by Jonathan Greenard that there was zero chance of him getting blocked. Caleb got strip-sacked and the Vikings killed off a promising drive. It's gonna be one of those games for Chicago it appears.
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4. It's been weeks since Tyrique Stevenson made an impact play, but he finally made one tonight. After the Vikings converted a few third-and-longs already up by 10, the Vikings went for it on 4th and 3 deep in plus territory. Daniel Hardy pressured Darnold and he lofted a prayer up that Stevenson picked off. He was better off batting it down, but any kind of turnover was huge there. Maybe that will do some good for his confidence.
5. Thomas Brown called two 4th and 1 runs to D'Andre Swift this half -- and they got stuffed on both. You'd think he'd try something different after the first one failed spectacularly. This is inexcusable stuff killing two promising drives. He seems to be yet another overwhelmed coach who will play out the string and have nothing to show for it.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1868838783392923889
6. This Bears team is one of the most tragic stories I've ever seen. As we hit halftime with the Bears down 13-0, how's this for a fun analysis?
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7. Caleb Williams has been concerningly bad tonight. Like, an active liability. Missing wide open reads (and choosing not to throw the ball). Spotty accuracy on simple throws. It's been bad. The strip-sack wasn't his fault, but he's just not executing when plays are there to be made. The Bears' season is a disaster, but this is bad look for the #1 overall pick. Especially when the #3 overall pick looks so much better (and more consistent) with worse offensive infrastructure.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1868849559851745354
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1868850685821038637
Bears still down 13-0 with 10 minutes left in Q3.
8. Such a Bears sequence... First and goal at the 1-yard line. The Kramer Package scores...except Doug Kramer didn't report, so it's a five-yard penalty. Swift gets back to the 1-yard line, but then a holding penalty on Amegadjie pushes them back another 10 yards. The Bears eventually settle for a field goal to make it 13-3. Just disgusting football from a poorly coached team.
Honestly, so much of watching this team just feels hopeless and boring.
9. The amount this roster has regressed is the most concerning part. What looked like an ascending roster that was maybe one big trench-investment offseason away is really looking like a much bigger effort. The good news is the Bears have resources to invest. But there are a lot more places they seemingly need to spend. Just an all-time collapse from this Bears team. Feels like there's no end to this rebuild right now.
10. Tyrique Stevenson intercepts Sam Darnold in the end zone... only to be called for a DPI. To add insult to insult, Montez Sweat was called for roughing the passer. A play later, Aaron Jones scored again. 27-6. Twenty-seven to six.
It keeps getting worse and more embarrassing for this team.
11. I've got nothing left to really say, guys. This is an embarrassing football team and I'm not sure how they address all of what ails them. They're in danger of wasting Caleb's entire rookie contract at this point. Just a sad, sad state of affairs.
12. The Bears return home on Sunday to take on the Detroit Lions in a rematch of Thanksgiving Day. How empty do you think Soldier Field will be for this one as the Bears play out the string?
Early prediction: Lions 30, Bears 3.
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