Bears Lose to Packers, Again

November 13, 2017

Last time I wrote about the Bears the quandary was between the cup being ½ full or ½ empty. After this, it is completely empty. With a week off this team was still ill prepared. It was as if Brett Favre was the quarterback not Brett Hundley making his third professional start. However, Connor Barth converted three field goals over 40 yards. Too bad that is almost the only good thing that happened.

What had been a strength all year was the defense against the running game. The Packers gained 160 yards on the ground. Tyler Montgomery looked like Forrest Gump running untouched for a 37 yard touchdown run. The injury to Danny Trevathan was not why the defense was so bad. Toward the end, the Packers were down to their third string running back. They still gauged the Bears with long first down runs making it easier to get first downs and maintain possession.  Kyle Fuller reverted to his old self. On two occasions he had a chance for an interception. One would have been a great play, the other he just dropped. He also missed a tackle enabling the Packers to get a first down. He also got burned by two long passes where he didn’t turn his head around. This team needs turnovers to win.

All in all the Packers only scored 23 points. However, the Bears have scored 20 points only twice all year. Although Trubisky’s numbers sound good (21/35, 297 yards, 1 touchdown, 98 rating) he still is learning and making mistakes which is okay as long as he isn’t making them in week 17. He got sacked 5 times where he couldn’t get out of the pocket and throw the ball away. Which brings me to who may be the worst offensive coordinator in the league, Dowell Loggains. In the first series, Trubisky rolled out and completed a 31 yard pass to Shaheen. This play was never called again. Rolling out gives him a better chance to get rid of the ball when his receivers are covered, which is more often than not. Also calling a run on almost every first down may not be a good thing when the Packers have nine up waiting for Jordan Howard. After Jordan Howard gained 1 or no yards on first down the stupidity that creeps into every game occurs. False start penalties, making it second down and 15 yards is tough on any quarterback. This happens multiple times, as it did earlier this season.  When they do get a first down, a holding call negates that. One good thing is the new Bear receiver, Inman, caught 6 passes for 88 yards but couldn’t come down with the third and ten throw on the final drive.

However, speaking of stupidity, John Fox takes the cake. This game just about puts the nail in the coffin. You need a better coach and staff to develop prize possession, MitchTrubisky. That was a nice challenge. No one on the staff realizing the call could be a touchback giving the ball back to the Packers. The play is right in front of him on the scoreboard. He waits until 10 seconds on the play clock to throw his challenge flag. Just run up to the two yard and run a play. It didn’t look like the Packers were going to challenge. Fox has repeatedly said the Bears could have won these close games. Not as long as he is the coach.

To complete the stupidity that defines the Bears I have never seen a delay of game penalty on an extra point!