CHICAGO -- We all know what happened last Sunday at Soldier Field. After a tumultuous week that led to Thomas Brown replacing the fired Shane Waldron at OC, the Bears had a legitimate shot at beating Green Bay for the first time in 11 games. Instead, Cairo Santos' game-winning field goal attempt was blocked and the Packers escaped.
Just like the Washington disaster, coaching controversy overshadowed a solid performance from both the offense and Caleb Williams. Naturally, the opportunity to build on that performance was greeted by Brian Flores and his deadly scheme.
The Bears were basically eliminated from playoff contention with that loss, but Williams' growth was paramount. Can he continue to build and show out respectably against a very tough opponent? For next season, that's what mattered.
In the end, the Bears got outcoached time and again to ruin a special performance from Caleb Williams.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations below. Follow me on X (Twitter) @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. On the Bears' first series, a hold on D'Andre Swift on the first play negated an eight-yard gain on first down. In a game where staying ahead of the sticks was paramount, that set them back in line for a three-and-out. Unfortunate - but that's what Flores' defense will do.
On defense, they got walked right down the field by Aaron Jones (he rushed for 55 yards on four carries). But a great play by DeMarcus Walker and Jonathan Owens at the goal line resulted in a fumble and a takeaway. That's three goal-line stops the Bears have made in their last five quarters. Playing with fire. But it was a bad look on the run discipline and pass rush on the Vikings' first drive. Too easy of a drive, even if it resulted in no points.
On a side note - Tyrique Stevenson really looks down bad since that Hail Mary disaster in Washington. I still think he has a bright future, but he needs to sit and reset. Terrell Smith is a more than capable CB. Would like to see him eat into Stevenson's snaps for the time being.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1860747816701989196
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2. Just a special drive from Caleb Williams on their third possession. Andrew van Ginkel looked to have a read on a Williams throw to Keenan Allen and the throw just fired through -- and Allen took it all the way into Vikings territory. And then Caleb evaded a free sack attempt from van Ginkel and lobbed a beauty to D'Andre Swift - who adjusted his route to a 'wheel' as Caleb escaped. Just a beautiful play.
A few plays later, Chicago scored a touchdown, courtesy of The Kramer Package to Roschon Johnson. The fact that the Bears scored first is a rarity - because it was the first time this season that's happened.
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3. There was a thought that if the Bears could play complementary football with their offense, that the defense would be 'rejuvenated' to shut opponents down. Naturally, Sam Darnold found Jordan Addison for an enormous gain to the 1-yard line just as the first quarter expired. The Bears have been completely blitzed for huge plays / explosives lately. It's certainly alarming - and Matt Eberflus' resume continues to take hits. They've survived the last two weeks by getting three goal line takeaways as of the last five quarters, but it's a very, very concerning pattern.
Addison finished the drive with a touchdown grab to tie the game.
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4. Such a crazy swing in this game. Caleb Williams and Keenan Allen were taking over on yet another drive, but a toe going out of bounds on a beautiful deep throw resulted in a 4th and 4. Eberflus elected to try a FG instead of going for it from the Vikings' 30. The view of Braxton Jones throwing his hands up at that decision will stick with me -- that's exactly how all the players must be feeling.
And deservedly, the kick was blocked again - yet another A-gap pressure that resulted in a block. Unbelievable, yet believable.
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A Jaylon Johnson deep ball DPI on Justin Jefferson negated a Jonathan Owens interception. And two plays later, the Vikings forged ahead on a touchdown. Such a massive swing that was so avoidable.
5. The Bears (and Matt Eberflus) with some disastrous time management to end the half. What appeared like it could be a promising drive stalled as too much time came off the clock after the 2-minute warning. Thankfully, Cairo Santos MADE a 49-yard field goal attempt to close out the half to make it 14-10 Minnesota.
Frankly, a hell of a half from Caleb Williams, all things considered. The Vikings' defense is extremely well-coached and had a beat on several plays, but Caleb's arm talent just won out on a few throws. Curious to see the adjustments from both sides after halftime.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1860769130527568223
6. I'd like to see Roschon Johnson in at RB more in the second half. Swift is simply not good enough in pass protection and doesn't have enough contact balance against a good front. He's explosive, but the Bears might be more consistent with Johnson out there.
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7. Comedy of errors to start the second half. Sam Darnold hit Addison on a crosser on the first play from scrimmage and motored to the Bears' 8-yard line. Matt Eberflus challenged that Addison stepped out of bounds on his run, and lost. 44 seconds into the half and they lost a timeout/challenge. Just an embarrassment.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1860772900422447106
The Bears did stand tall, though. DeMarcus Walker with two really good plays -- a run stop and a sack -- to hold Minny to a field goal. 17-10, Vikings.
8. The Bears had a whirlwind an ensuring drive. DJ Moore took a screen for 36 yards on the first play from scrimmage. On the next play, a trick play was incomplete as Moore fired to the end zone for Rome Odunze. A blatant DPI wasn't called.
For the second week in a row, Williams told Flus NO on 4th down to go for it. It failed, but the aggressiveness is what you want to see. It's just telling that it's coming from the QB and not the HC.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1860776197627822556
9. When it rains, it pours. The Bears got a stop thanks to some really good defense on Justin Jefferson (Darnold should've been picked twice on that drive). But DeAndre Carter muffed the punt and the Vikings recovered. Honestly, Richard Hightower's unit has been quite bad for weeks -- blocked FGs, bad punt coverage, penalties. It's all coming to a head now.
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24-10 Vikings after Aaron Jones runs it in.
10. Andrew van Ginkel with a very late hit (like 2 full seconds after Caleb released the ball) and it wasn't called. Between that and some absolutely nonsensical decisions on DPI calls (called and not called), it's been an unprofessional day from the referees.
The Bears don't deserve the benefit of the doubt - they've played very poorly. But it's just another thing to overcome. It's swung several opportunities for points.
11. Such an impressive drive from Caleb Williams for a touchdown to cut it to 24-16. He overcame a few rough down and distances (including a 4th and 4). He's played so well today. Composed, decisive, and quick. It's been excellent.
See tweet below for 'possible' 2-pt conversion logic...
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1860787065258209719
12. Indefensible defense from the Bears on the ensuing drive. Sam Darnold left the field with injury on a 3rd and 13, and Nick Mullens dumped it off to Aaron Jones for a first -- all the defenders were so far back. After an 11 yard run from Jones, Darnold returned and converted a 3rd and 12 (set up by OPI on a Jefferson touchdown). The play before, Terrell Smith missed a tackle on Addison for a four-yard loss that turned into a nine-yard gain.
13. I can't believe what I've just watched. What appeared like a "just for stats" touchdown with 22 seconds left and a 2 point conversion, Chicago recovered the onside kick. And Caleb fired a rocket to DJ Moore to get them in range, which Santos nailed from 47. Unreal turn of events! Caleb was rewarded for an incredible performance and a drive to try to win it. Amazing. I can't even describe the roller coaster.
https://x.com/DhruvKoul/status/1860794385006555247
14. Bears started with the ball in overtime - and Caleb took a horrific sack on second down to basically kill the drive. Vikings rushed just three and he had all day to at least try to throw it away. Resulted in a punt. Rough swing after an unconscious few minutes in the fourth quarter. Life with a rookie QB.
15. Montez Sweat sacked Sam Darnold on first down (from behind) - no idea how Darnold didn't fumble. But on 3rd and 10, Flus went with the soft coverage and Addison converted. A FG wins the game for the Vikings - why not be more aggressive there? It's baffling. There's nothing else after this to hold on to, Flus.
A disgusting display afterwards resulted in a GW FG for Minnesota and they lost another heartbreaker. The kind of overtime that plays out when you're just coached to "not lose" - you lose. Disgusting football.
Cowardice from Eberflus.
https://twitter.com/DhruvKoul/status/1860798344421155283
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16. All in all, Caleb was sensational today. He showed the kind of mental fortitude that Bears' QBs in the past have never shown. A special performance in a game where his head coach and teammates couldn't get out of their own way.
17. This broken Bears team heads to Detroit for a Thanksgiving Day tilt on national television. The best team in the NFC against one that has zero reason for belief in its head coach. It'll be background noise for many of you, I'm sure. Maybe we'll see some substantial change after the mini-bye.
Early prediction: Lions 36, Bears 20.
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