*Author's Note -- I didn't cover the game live yesterday, so these thoughts are posted after watching the tape.*
The
Chicago Bears went into U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon for a de facto playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams were 6-7 coming in, one game out of the final NFC Wildcard spot, and looking to chart their course for the final two games.
The Bears' offense, which had looked reborn since the bye week, needed a strong showing to keep up with the Vikings. And in the end, a back-and-forth affair featuring two potent (!) offenses ended with the Bears outlasting the Vikings on the road to keep their season alive.
Below are my thoughts on the game and the Bears in general after Week 15. They're still alive, Bears fans. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. The Bears' offense was pretty much unstoppable again on Sunday. That's three straight games of dominance (four straight of intrigue) since the bye week.
The schematic changes the Bears implemented are evident -- the focus of the offense has shifted, too. Yes, Mitch Trubisky looks more comfortable and is generally playing faster and better. But this offense goes through David Montgomery. He's THE guy. What a performance. He had 146 rushing yards, largely looked like he was gliding on the turf all game, and finishing runs with authority. It was a thing of beauty.
2. What's funny is both offenses (Chicago and Minnesota) run the same systems, and so, in theory, both defenses should've been able to compete more strongly. But yesterday was all about offense -- defense was largely optional. Yes, the Bears got some key stops in the red zone, along with two crucial fourth-down stops. And the Vikings did pick off Trubisky in the end zone that kept Minnesota alive. But those plays were much too infrequent -- disappointing for this Bears defense.
3. Justin Jefferson is absolutely elite. I can't believe the Bears have to figure out ways to stop him twice a season for the next decade. It's unbelievable how good he is at such a young age and so early in his career. Beautiful route-running, an insane ability to get open immediately, strong hands, and speed. He's the ultimate WR and he will dominate this division for years.
He's what I thought Anthony Miller would develop into.
4. This was a superb game for Matt Nagy in a divisional game, on the road, that he absolutely had to have. Chicago stayed true to their game plan for the full 60 minutes. Nagy and Chris Tabor wisely identified an incoming fake punt and called a timeout to force Minnesota's hand. They managed the clock beautifully. It was everything Nagy needed to show in what really was a playoff-like game.
I thought it was interesting that he opted to receive the kickoff after winning the coin toss, though. It's possible the Bears are really buying in to their offensive abilities now and wanted to put pressure on the Vikings by scoring first. Of course, the result didn't occur as the Bears went three-and-out, but it was an intriguing shift of philosophy. We'll see what happens next time.
5. Congratulations to Robert Quinn on his second sack of the season. Apparently, his sacks just come with forced fumbles.
Quinn also teamed up on a critical third-down stop later in the game. He flashed his trademark speed on the Minnesota turf, too. It was good to see.
6. Bilal Nichols should find himself a healthy payday some day soon. What a clutch performance. An immediate starter after being a fifth-round pick, he has played admirably for the Bears, and had a crucial sack in the game.
Another nifty player for the Bears? Brent Urban. A massive play to keep pressure on Kirk Cousins on fourth down after the two-minute warning. Where does Ryan Pace find these guys?
7. Extend
Cairo Santos already.
8. The way I praised Jefferson earlier, Darnell Mooney is going to be a PROBLEM for NFC North defenses in the future, too. His understanding of the game as a fifth-round rookie is incredible. His speed is tremendous. He can catch anything.
9. The Bears missed
Jaylon Johnson yesterday, but I'd like to give a shoutout to Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley. They combined on a coverage bust early to give Adam Thielen a wide-open TD, but they generally played well, considering the elite playmakers Minnesota has. Those are not easy assignments. And they made some critical tackles early in the game to stop the Vikings' momentum.
10. Eddie Jackson still doesn't have a pick this season, but he made an enormous play on the final Hail Mary attempt. Vikings' WR Bisi Johnson sprung open at the last second and appeared to have an easy catch to win the game coming, but Jackson tipped it away and into the hands of Sherrick McManis for the sealing INT. That was too close for comfort, but it was a great play by Jackson.
11. I'll use this final note to comment on Trubisky: Yes, he is playing better. I'm seeing a lot of calls to extend him. But you know who he looks like right now? Kirk Cousins. He is finally playing like Kirk Cousins.
Remember how much snark Bears fans gave the Vikings for giving Cousins the money they did? Do you want to commit a significant portion of the salary cap to a QB who needs this scheme to look like Cousins? Think about it.
12. I might have to stop covering Bears games altogether if they'll just continue to deliver heart-pounding victories every time I miss them.
13. The Arizona Cardinals survived at home against a pesky Philadelphia Eagles team, so the Bears remain one game out of the final NFC Wildcard spot. Unless Arizona loses both of their remaining games (SF and LAR), the Bears will likely need to win out now (JAX and GB), and they still need at least one AZ loss.
But the Bears have given themselves a chance. Barring an epic collapse against the Jaguars, their Week 17 game, at home, against the Packers will matter. In a season that saw a six-game losing streak, that's still something.
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