Learning To Win: Getting Over The Hump

Learning to win. Coaching to win. This column has written about it many times this season. The Bears had a 28-7 lead at home earlier this season and lost. This past weekend, the Detroit Lions trailed Chicago 26-14, with less than four minutes to play, and scored 17 points in the closing moments to defeat the Bears.

After the Denver game, players from the Broncos commented on how they could feel the momentum shift. Chicago was playing scared. It boosted their confidence as they came from behind. After Detroit sealed their comeback victory, Lions player echoed those sentiments, saying the Bears were playing not to lose.

On Thanksgiving, the Lions found themselves in an identical situation, trailing the Packers by two scores midway through the second half. Unlike the Bears' lack of confidence late in games, Green Bay has had success in the 4th quarter this season. The Packers coaches stayed aggressive and found a way to win.

Green Bay was prepared for Detroit. They forced the Lions to throw underneath coverages, then stymied them on every fourth down. Detroit failed to pick up a first down on fourth down several times in the second half until the Lions' last drive. By the time Detroit finally scored late in the 4th, they had run out of time.

Chicago's roster is young, and Matt Eberflus and Luke Getsy are only in their second year in such a position of authority. It has become painfully obvious they are coaching not to lose. Late in games, the defense is sticking to a personnel rotation when their best players should be on the field making plays.

These are all correctable mistakes that come with time and experience. Many fans and Bears beat writers simply do not believe this coaching staff will be allowed to continue with the team after the season is over. Many have been screaming for Poles to fire Eberflus since the Denver loss. In the comments section below, several readers will echo the need to fire Eberflus and Getsy.

It is a long seven weeks until Chicago's season ends. Fans and writers may get their wish if the Bears continue to lose.

News and Notes

Since the Bears do not play until Monday, their first injury report wasn't released until Thursday. Four players did not participate: Foreman (Ankle), Patrick (Back), Sewell (Knee), and Borom (Illness)