In a game where the Chicago Bears were heavily favored and going against a Miami Dolphins team missing two starting offensive linemen and quarterback, it seemed like the Bears should have no problem coming out of the bye week and taking care of business in South Beach.
That sadly was not the case, as Brock Osweiler managed to torch the coveted Bears defense with screen passes and crossing routes all afternoon as they were able to walk away with a 31-28 victory.
While the defense forgot how to tackle in the open field and apply pressure to the quarterback, this doesn’t solely fall on their shoulders. They kept the team in the game for the entire first half after the offense was held scoreless before a third-quarter explosion.
The officials made some horrendous calls that kept points off the board for the Bears, but they also made some favorable calls against the Dolphins as well, so those cancel out in a way.
Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen had great moments during regulation and overtime to keep the Bears’ hopes alive, but they also both had costly fumbles that ruined momentum.
The same could be said about Mitch Trubisky, who showed that his game against Tampa Bay wasn’t a fluke after throwing for 316 yards and three touchdowns. He did have an interception in the end zone, but that also came one play after a questionable (at best) pass interference call on what would’ve been a touchdown pass to Tarik Cohen.
He had a couple more dangerous passes that resulted in dropped interceptions, but overall Trubisky wasn’t the issue and he’s continuing to show maturity and growth.
Coach Nagy made the needed adjustments after a dreadful first half, but he also became conservative at the worst time in overtime as he took his foot off the gas and settled for a long field goal which went wide right.
The bottom line is that you can’t really pinpoint this loss on one moment or phase of the game. The fact that all of this happened and the Bears basically gave the game away is as impressive as it is frustrating.
This team easily could be 5-0, but here they stand 3-2 heading into a matchup against the New England Patriots.
The biggest question moving forward is …
Who are the Chicago Bears?
Are they the team that was struggling to move the ball in the first half while their defense kept them in the game, or are they the second half team where the offense suddenly looks untouchable while the defense is gassed?
Even though 90-degree heat isn’t “Bears weather,” it’s still no excuse for forgetting how to hold onto the ball or tackle in the flat.
If this team wants to be taken seriously in the division and the NFC, they need to find a consistent, happy medium between the good and the bad.
We knew the defense wasn’t always going to be lights out and Trubisky and company did everything they could to win this game.
You can’t put this on the missed field goal alone, but good teams find a way to win these games. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but there are positives on both sides of the ball moving into New England.
It’ll be interesting to see how this team responds, and there’s no reason to think that this is the beginning of the end.
They’re still just getting started.
when you have turnovers during a game – – it always seems like it will come back and haunt you.
I don’t understand how we had “no sacks” on their quarterback – – what happened to our vaulted rush or was did we have a poor rush scheme?
hopefully they learned from their mistakes and make the correct adjustments for the future.
Good article. It is a bitter pill and such a bizarre in a way tale of two halves.
I think the Bears D may have been a bit gassed by the second half (you think)
I saw Akiem at one point waiting, hands on his hips, till the last second to get in his stance. I was surprised even in the first half by the lack of disruption by the D. Almost as much frustrated by lack of offense. I guess as you said our 2018 Bears are still “work in progress “.
Great read – I think the Bears win 3 out of their next 4 ..
This Bears team is a momentum squad …I personally think the bye weak was too soon …They have to find they mojo again and keep pushing to the limit …Every play counts…Matt Nagy if you are reading this blog or post..Stay aggressive through out the game and come up with a more power offense inside the 10yard line ….I like the unbalanced line skim myself with a twist ofcourse .Let’s go bears
As a long time Bears fan I want want want to see the team win as I’m sure we all do but here’s my view it may not be this year but our team will get to the post season the learning that’s going on is so good for them right now and it will be great to watch the team become a huge factor in the NFC north we just need to stand by our team no matter what the more they know we are with them on this transition the stronger they will become and we will be able to watch them CRUSH the rest of the league sometimes I think people forget what bear down means it is to stay Thur the high and lows the good and bad the wins and losses but to stand fight fight fight so bear down and let’s enjoy this season of REAL growth thanks guys for the show good work and I know hard work thanks again david gallegos