Well, that game against Green Bay was something. All the hope and hype that was falsely there, quickly turned into wrongly appointed anger and apathy. The Bears had an opening drive TD, gave up a TD, then kicked a FG. So…they were going to keep it a close game in a battle of each teams best? Nope. A failed 3rd down blitz ended up in an 72 yard TD to Marques Valdes-Scantling who was covered by a very old and slow Danny Trevathan. That made it 14-10 Green Bay, and that was it. It was 21-13 at half, and in most cases you feel confident that the game isn’t over. However, this is Aaron Rodgers against the Bears, and history tells you, any point Aaron Rodgers has a lead against the Chicago Bears, he isn’t losing it.

Usually I go offense first, but since I’m more fired up about the defense, let’s start there. I posted this a few days ago: If Chuck Pagano didn’t learn from the previous game against Green Bay, its going to be a long afternoon at Soldier Field. Well, I hate being right. Chuck Pagano has regressed the defense into mediocrity, even against poor offenses. He has made the pass rush invisible, and forced Linebackers to cover slot receivers. I understand Roquan Smith was injured in the 2nd Quarter, but you have to adjust. How on earth did he make it through the season? That is because the Chicago Bears do not make mid season changes. Everyone wanted Matt Nagy’s head during the 6 game losing streak, I wanted Chuck Pagano to be gone. Everything that Vic Fangio had going with this personnel, was ruined. I was one of the defenders, telling myself the personnel can get the job done, it doesn’t matter who the coordinator is. It really, truly does. If the coordinator fails to have a system that fits the personnel, and refuse to adjust, they shouldn’t be in that position. The assistants need to also be voices in the ears of the coordinators. You have to make it a collective effort, Matt Nagy took the advice of Bill Lazor, and Mitch Trubisky. Why isn’t Chuck Pagano taking the advice of his assistants and players? The regression isn’t only in the pass rush, but an All-Pro safety in Eddie Jackson. The way he is being used in the system doesn’t fit his style. Eddie Jackson is a free roaming ball hawk, being used as a nickel corner and blitz machine. He is also being stuck in the middle coverage with linebackers, and missing open field tackles. That is not a strength of his game. He played free and loose under Vic Fangio, roaming the field and watching the QB. It has been a very difficult thing to watch, and not having Jaylon Johnson and Buster Skrine has killed the pass coverages. The Bears had 3! dropped INT’s against Green Bay that came at times that would’ve changed the dynamic. Obviously you can’t bank on a turnover each and every possession, so you have to capitalize on those opportunities. Only having 1 sack is also not good enough. I know you’re going against the quickest and smartest passer in the game, but you have to adjust. They tried a blitz and got burned terribly. This again falls on the coaches to make adjustments. Just a brutal effort to carry into the Playoffs.

The offense had the “hold the ball and hope for the best” strategy for this game. Hoping holding the ball would limit Green Bay’s opportunities and help to limit scoring. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The Bears had two turnovers, 1 being in a horrible spot, their own 22 yard line. A fumble by Cole Kmet that occurred while trying to extend a play. The other turnover a late game INT, when the Bears were down 12 already. That was a ball that sailed on Mitchell Trubisky, but was also in triple coverage. The Bears were 6-15 on 3rd down, and 5-6 on 4th down. Those stats aren’t horrible, but the one time they missed the 4th down, led to a Green Bay TD, in a 5 point game. A pass that was going to Allen Robinson and only Allen Robinson was covered very well by Green Bay. The Bears only scored 1 TD, a 2 YD TD run by David Montgomery on the very first drive. They had 108 rushing yards on 31 attempts. Mitchell Trubisky was 33/42 for 248 yds, and 1 INT. Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet were the main targets in the gameplan today. Allen Robinson only had 2 catches for 37 yards. Green Bay either had great coverage or the gameplan wasn’t great. The running game hit a lull this week, and that will happen when you get behind. If the Bears want to proceed through the playoffs, they need stout defense and their running game has to be there.

Special Teams was decent, forcing a fumble on a punt return. Cairo Santos was 3/3 on FG’s and 1/1 on XP’s. Increasing his streak to 27 consecutive made FG’s. That being a Chicago Bears record previously held by Robbie Gould. He has been the brightest spot in a strange Bears season.

The Bears take on the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the NFL Playoffs. They met earlier this year, with New Orleans prevailing in OT, winning 26-23 against a Nick Foles led Bears team. Mitchell Trubisky also injured his shoulder on a Wildcat formation play. The Bears contained Alvin Kamara (who may be out due to COVID if the game is on Saturday) and lost in OT by a FG. Michael Thomas wasn’t in the game for the Saints, but may be back for this upcoming Playoff game. It is going to be interesting to see what the Bears can plan to do if the Saints are without Kamara but have Michael Thomas back. Looking to the Bears, you lost Roquan Smith and Darnell Mooney in the Green Bay game, so their status is well up in the air. The Bears made the playoffs 2 times in 3 seasons, but it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.