The Chicago Bears lost their fourth consecutive game Sunday losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 22-14. All three phases of the team struggled at times against the Eagles as the offense, defense, and special teams all contributed to the team's fifth loss of the season. There is not one player you can pin Sunday's loss on, but the team as a whole was collectively responsible.
Chicago's offense had just nine total yards in the first half with just one first down that didn't come until late in the second quarter. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky struggled again to find open receivers and was sacked numerous times in the first half by Eagles defense. Philadephia's defense that had recently struggled to defend the pass. Unlike prior games, the offense's poor play wasn't solely Trubisky's fault.
Pass-catching running back Tarik Cohen dropped several passes in the first half that would have given the offense short-yardage situations. Wide receiver Allen Robinson, who has been the team's most consistent offensive weapon, dropped two deep passes that were longer than 25 yards. The second one would have set the Bears up with a goal to go late in the third quarter trailing by 12.
Chicago's best offensive player on the day was rookie running back David Montgomery, who scored both of the team's two touchdowns. He also rushed for 40 yards and caught a 30-yard pass that led to a score. For as good as Montgomery was, he dropped a crucial screen pass in the fourth quarter that would have gained at minimum 25 yards. Had he been able to haul in the pass, Chicago would have been deep in Eagle's territory down by five.
The Bears' defense was inconsistent throughout the game also as penalties in the first half extended several of the Eagles offensive drives. Eagles quarterback drew Bears' defenders offsides four times in the first half. defensive end Nick Williams was flagged for roughing the passer after Wentz threw an incomplete pass on fourth down. Later in the drive, Philadelphia's quarterback would hit tight end Zack Ertz for a 25-yard touchdown pass.
In the second half, Chicago's defense held the Philadelphia offense for the majority of the half but failed to stop them when the game was on the line. With seven minutes left in the game, the Bears defense allowed the Eagles to convert three third downs which lead to an Eagles field goal with just 30 seconds left in the game.
On special teams, two plays were inexcusable from a coaching standpoint. In the first half, Cohen chose to field a punt that landed within the Bears' 10-yard line instead of allowing the ball to go into the end zone for a touchback. tight end Adam Shaheen muffed the Eagles' squib kick with less than 30 seconds left in the game as the Eagles recovered the fumble. Shaheen tried to pick up the ball and run with it instead of falling on it and securing it. It robbed Chicago of any chance of a miraculous offensive score to tie the game and force overtime.
Nagy's offensive play-calling was off again as the team abandoned the running game in the first half. He also did not utilize play-action plays until the second half as the Bears found success with them. Trubisky was able to find open receivers on several plays when the offense did use play action.
Sunday's loss cannot be solely placed on Nagy or Trubisky but on the entire team. Chicago has come along way from where they were this time last season. The offense continues to be hampered with inconsistencies to move the ball and score points. The defense has lost the ability to force turnovers, created consistent pass-rushing pressure, and make big stops when needed. Nagy and his team have had complete team wins before, but on Sunday in Philadelphia was a complete team loss at the worse time.
