GREEN BAY, Wis. -- First of all, Happy New Year! Hope you all enjoyed ringing in 2025 safely.
The Chicago Bears have been on a death march to wrap the 2024 season for weeks. Little did we know it would start with the Fail Mary in Washington, but what was a promising season before the bye week has devolved into a nightmare.
The OC was fired after a humiliating home loss to New England. The HC was fired after one of the most incredible end-game botches on national television anyone has ever seen in Detroit. And they've lost 10 straight games (again)... trying to make it 11 heading into Lambeau Field to wrap up the 2024 season.
Bears fans had their sights set on the offseason weeks ago, but we're finally here. What the Bears do between tonight and the next few weeks will set their course during the Caleb Williams era. Whether that involves GM Ryan Poles or not remains to be seen.
In the end, the Bears shocked the football world with a last-second win at Lambeau Field -- thanks to a game-winning drive by Caleb Williams.
As for this game, individual reactions don't matter - I took a similar approach sharing my thoughts and observations as I did the last few games... focusing on the bigger picture. Follow me on Twitter / X @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. It was reported pregame that the Bears will interview Thomas Brown formally for the head coach position. And after seeing what the Bears did on the opening possession in Green Bay, it better be just a formality. This team has been unprepared to start games all season, and this is how the first series went on offense:
- Fumbled snap from Caleb Williams that resulted in an immediate sack and loss of seven yards.
- A screen to Cole Kmet that lost four yards.
- A dumpoff "screen" type play to Roschon Johnson that picked up two.
- Punt on 4th and 19.
They haven't been prepared once this season. It's clear the entire coaching staff needs to be cleared out -- and no holdovers should be retained (i.e. Brown, Chris Morgan, Eric Washington, etc.).
This tweet is a joke, but also this is kinda where they are as an organization:
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1875968720121774211
2. Okay, maybe Richard Hightower can be retained? The Bears pulled off the old Devin Hester-Johnny Knox Special fake punt that was called back at Soldier Field against the Packers 14 years ago. This time, a brilliant design from Hightower resulted in a return touchdown that actually counted! Great execution too. Hightower's unit has been decent over the years - he'll have no trouble finding a job. Pretty neat that the Bears executed it against the Packers this time again.
The design: DJ Moore was back as the primary punt returner and the coverage drew towards him. Josh Blackwell was a gunner lined up on the other side of the field and leaked away to catch the punt and return it. Pretty awesome stuff.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1875971123193724980
3. I'll say this: Tyrique Stevenson is showing growth here to end the year. He didn't get involved in an altercation with DK Metcalf last Thursday night (resulted in a Metcalf fine), and is bringing the effort and laying the boom here at Lambeau in Week 18. His credibility has some way to go, but he's starting to build it back. Maybe some Thomas Brown accountability starting to creep in?
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1875974201703903363
4. This first half on offense shows the predicament Chicago is currently in. The backup OL can't pass protect well enough to threaten downfield on regular dropback game. The boots and screens are way too obvious. And they don't have a workhorse RB to take the burden 40 times. Just a tough place to live. Bears have significant investments they need to make in the offense - as we know.
- The entire interior OL
- Another RB to add to the mix
- Another TE to add to the mix
These are non-negotiables.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1875983685100708302
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5. If you ever wanted a visual about how much the Bears have checked out - watch the interception Keenan Allen threw on the trick play. Hands went immediately into his warmer after the throw and he reluctantly started chasing Xavier McKinney after the INT. Didn't care. Everyone clearly needs a break.
Another clear indicator as to why no one can return from this staff.
6. Caleb Williams started to find his groove a little in the second half and he made a couple really nice plays to extend drives, especially in the first quarter. The touchdown throw to DJ Moore -- which was a screen and then Moore doing his magic en route to the house -- is a confidence booster for Caleb. Him having some semblance of success at Lambeau Field in his rookie year is a good sign.
7. I'll just paste this here as it relates to Thomas Brown's decision making after the touchdown... unreal. Unbelievable, honestly.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1876002807050031564
No logic here post-game will make any sense to me.
8. Stevenson giveth and he taketh away. A 3rd and 20+ bomb was converted in front of him with him in coverage before the Packers scored a touchdown. He's got growing still left to do.
9. Proud of the Bears' offense in terms of response here. A HUGE conversion from Caleb to DJ Moore on third down picked up a first, and then two straight runs to D'Andre Swift picked up another first down at the two minute warning. With three timeouts, the Bears can wrap this up with one more first down coming out of the warning. A real chance to steal one here.
10. And wouldn't you know it. A holding penalty on Gerald Everett on first down wiped out a nice gain, and then DJ Moore fumbled a screen play that the Packers recovered in Bears territory. In a game that was as stupid as it was there for the Bears' taking... they're on their back foot again. Amazing. A team full of players who invent ways to lose.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1876009475641115027
Brandon McManus drilled a 55 yard field goal to put the Packers up 1 with 54 seconds left.
Sickening. Caleb's gonna think about this potential loss all offseason with that chance to break the curse.
11. Holy shit. The Bears actually did it! Caleb Williams led a game winning drive -- and overcame some horseshit penalties -- and put the Bears in position with a 51 yard attempt (and clocked the ball in time). And Cairo Santos got his revenge as his FG attempt went through and the Bears upset the Packers. This is what it feels like to win, Bears fans!
12. So good for Caleb, Rome, and all these players to get that heading into the offseason. A road win. Division win. Against the Packers. Huge. You bet this will do wonders for their confidence in the offseason.
13. And that's that - a fun end to a horrific 2024-25 season for the Bears. It's finally offseason time - which is annually the Bears' Super Bowl - and we'll have you covered throughout. A huge thank you to everyone who read, followed, commented, praised, hated, etc. along with my coverage this season. I strive to remain objective and thoughtful in what I create for you readers, and hopefully that comes across and provides some good perspective as we collectively deal with a broken franchise. Here's to a better 2025!
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