October 4, 2021
Believe it or not, the Bears played a team that is lousier than
they are. After building a 21 point lead, the Bears coasted to a 24-14 victory
over the woebegone Detroit Lions. However, the Bears may not have won
without help from the Lions. The Lions failed to score on
three straight chances inside the Bears 10 yard line. On the
first one, the Lions messed up a snap and the Bears recovered a fumble.
The second stop came after first and goal from the five when Alec Ogletree
batted down a pass from Lions QB Jared Goff. Next with third and goal
from the 3 yard line, Robert Quinn knocked the ball out of Goff’s
hands. In the closing minutes the Lions needed a field goal and
a touchdown to tie the game. Instead of kicking a short field goal Goff threw
an incomplete pass on fourth and one.
I had a feeling the offense would have a good day when I saw
Coach Matt Nagy without his billboard of plays. The plays were being called by
offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. It must have been jarring for
Nagy to see the running game dominating the play calling. Nagy would never run
the ball two times for every pass. The Bears led by David Montgomery’s 106
yards rushed for 188 yards. Damien Williams had 55 yards on eight carries. It’s
too bad that both exited the game with injuries.
Justin Fields showed why he may become a
great QB. Lazor added two tight ends to protect the franchise
QB. Fields responded, completing 11 of 17 passes for 209 yards. Darnell Mooney
made a one handed grab for Fields’ first completion. Showing
off his great arm strength, Fields consistently hit
receivers downfield. What also must been jarring to Nagy, is the
Bears averaged 19 yards per completion. Take this all with a grain of
salt as the Lions have one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
The Bears defense was giving up chunks of yardage to the
Lions on the ground and in the air. However, the defense stiffened up when they
needed to. Game ball goes to Linebacker Robert Quinn who is having a really
good bounce back season. He came up with a two yard tackle for a loss in the
second goal line stand and knocked the ball out Goff’s hands in the
third. Eddie Goldman returned to the line-up to complete their three
down linemen. Things might have looked better
had Akiem Hicks not gotten hurt on the first play. Roquan Smith and
Khalil Mack also played well.
Matt Nagy is always quick to divert attention away from his
disastrous coaching. He also seems to like to take credit when it is not
due. After praising Lazor, Nagy said, “Ultimately it goes through me.
Everything we do, regardless of who’s calling this or who’s calling that,
it goes through me.” It wouldn’t surprise me if he starts Andy Dalton start next week. But Fields needs a chance
to build on this performance.
Things get much harder with a road game against the Las Vegas
Raiders. After that it’s the Green Bay Packers, who are the cream of the crop
in the division. Until number 12 retires or goes to another
team, no one else wins this division.
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