Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the Vikings-Bears prime time game at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears entered tonight’s prime time divisional showdown against the Minnesota Vikings at a real crossroads. Having started 5-1 (with some truly great escapes), the Jenga tower finally collapsed in the last month or so. Three straight brutal losses have sent the Bears to 5-4 and pushed them to the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Needless to say, tonight was extremely important:
Thread: Thoughts on the upcoming Vikings-Bears game…
1. CHI is 5-4; MIN is 3-5. Vikings have STRUGGLED at Soldier Field. Kirk Cousins is 0-9 on Monday Night Football. Mike Zimmer can't beat Matt Nagy.
Yet, the Bears being underdogs in this game seems perfectly spot-on.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 13, 2020
Since that pre-game thread was posted, Matt Nagy announced he was relinquishing play calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. Calls for Nagy to do so had been growing since 2019, really, and the Bears’ head coach, having run out of moves to jump start his anemic offense, finally fired himself from the role.
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I didn’t truly expect major differences in the offense — after all, Lazor, John DeFilippo and Dave Ragone, along with Nagy, all collaborated on designing and installing the plays and game plans already. So all of the Bears’ coaches were complicit in this struggling offense. But there was a possibility (read: hope?) that Lazor would see what *hadn’t* worked and decided to use less or different parts of the playbook. The Bears’ season really depended on it.
In the end, the Bears could, once again, do nothing on offense against a questionable Vikings defense, at home, in a prime time loss that dropped them to 5-5 and likely bowed them out of the playoff race.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the game below. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. (PRE-GAME) As mentioned above, I don’t really expect to see a ton of improvement, especially with the offensive line being what it is. But the Bears are getting Cody Whitehair back tonight. They also elevated RB Lamar Miller from the practice squad, along with G Eric Kush. With David Montgomery out with a concussion, let’s see how Bill Lazor decides to deploy his RBs and how he helps out his offensive line that will be starting a brand new combination — again.
No real surprises here.
I'm extremely interested in how Bill Lazor will use the running backs tonight.
Lamar Miller, Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce, and Cordarrelle Patterson make up an intriguing set of RBs. https://t.co/nA6NzzdsLE
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 16, 2020
2. So, overall, that was not really the start the Bears were hoping for. After allowing the Vikings to gain three first downs on their first drive (and enough yardage for a fourth), a questionable fumble by Kyle Rudolph registered as the Bears’ first takeaway since the Rams game. But two plays later, Nick Foles threw high and behind Anthony Miller (from a clean pocket), that went off Miller’s hands and an interception. Minnesota took advantage to score a touchdown. The Bears had a chance to capture and run away with momentum, and couldn’t capitalize, and now they’re down 7-0.
Beautiful throw and catch and the Vikings have a touchdown. Well deserved.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
3. The Bears’ second drive was a lot of fun. Cordarrelle Patterson flourished as a runner on certain plays where he could build up a head of steam, the Bears used quick passes to move the ball, and some moving pockets. The Bears’ drive stalled in the red zone, though. Nick Foles got pressured a few times and missed a coupe of wide open reads (he never got to them, unfortunately). It was an encouraging drive, even if it didn’t result in a game-tying touchdown.
That was a relatively impressive bounce-back drive for the Bears. Finishing with a touchdown would've been nice, but an actual response to adversity will have to do for now.
7-3, Vikings.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
4. The Vikings were, again, moving the ball with ease, and headed to the Bears’ red zone — staying ahead of the chains and getting the ball out quickly was dominating the Bears’ defense. But Adam Thielen bobbled a slant and Khalil Mack was right there to take it away. There’s something about Mack and prime time, I tell you.
Khalil Mack. Primetime. Impact play(s).
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
Alas, the Bears’ offense couldn’t muster much of anything after a 24-yard catch and run to Anthony Miller on the first play of the drive took Chicago to the Vikings’ 24 yard line. A Ryan Nall run (why?) gained nothing, a blitz forced an incomplete pass, and a broken play resulted in complete. Thank goodness for Cairo Santos.
Santos nails the kick and it's 7-6, but that was disappointing.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
The Bears have forced two takeaways and are +1 in the turnover margin department tonight, but being down at halftime 7-6 is extremely disappointing. This offense needs to score touchdowns. It’s not like it gets any easier as the Bears get the ball first after halftime…
Don't worry, Bears fans, the third quarter is coming. Everything will be fine. https://t.co/6gtFWeEdIK
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
5. The start of that second half was wild. Cordarrelle Patterson took the kickoff for a touchdown to give the Bears a 13-7 lead. It was a beautiful return, executed brilliantly.
It’s that camera view. It’s always that camera view. https://t.co/jnd8jb05Se
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
After the Bears’ defense forced a punt on the ensuing drive, Dwayne Harris muffed the punt (his first mistake as the Bears’ punt returner) and Minnesota recovered. Special teams giveth, and they taketh away.
Luckily, the Bears’ defense held, but that should’ve remained a six point lead for the Bears. Those are free points they can’t afford to give away right now.
Bears' defense holds, but that's three points they shouldn't have had to give up.
13-10 Bears.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
6. The Bears had a possession set up for them at the Vikings’ 46 yard line and they moved 0 yards. That is not excusable — this was after the defense forced a strong three-and-out from Minnesota. This defense needs help.
Bears gain a total of 0 yards when starting the drive on the Vikings' 46. Brutal.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
After the Bears punted, the Vikings had a 3rd and 1 monster gain by Cook called back due to a hold, but they gained even more yards on the next 3rd and 11 play. That’s almost even more inexcusable? (Also, Akiem Hicks left the field slowly with a trainer, which is never good.)
Bears' defense holds after getting burned earlier in the drive.
Vikings kick is good and it's tied up at 13.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
This offense needs a drive. It needs one so badly — for this team’s sanity.
7. The offense promptly went three and out, and Nick Foles took a very dumb sack on third down. The Bears have gone three-and-out on offense every drive in the third quarter. At this point…
Nick Foles is 12/20 for 93 yards and an interception through three quarters at home, with a new play caller, and against a secondary that's a mess.
I mean, put Mitch in against Green Bay at this point.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
Unsurprisingly, with Hicks out of the game (doubtful to return) and the defense likely stunned by the offense’s incompetence, the Vikings went right down the field and scored a touchdown to go up 19-13. It’s not surprising the defense would run out of gas.
8. Another three-and-out. It’s not even competitive right now. They are just lost. Absolutely and utterly lost on every drive.
The Bears are in prime time again two weeks from now — up in Green Bay.
No one deserves this.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
9. Anthony Miller with a beautiful return to set the Bears up for a chance to win it.
Bill Lazor ruins the drive with a terrible 3rd and 3 screen call.
Nick Foles’ desperation 4th down lob to Miller is just beyond his reach and the Bears turn it over on downs with 2:04 remaining.
Folks, that is the season.
4th and 9 and the Bears don't get it. This season is over.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
10. Nick Foles is injured on the Bears’ final drive. Goodness, what a rough ending to a rough night.
Nick Foles is hurt. Injury to massive insult.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) November 17, 2020
11. I wouldn’t be surprised if we heard of some major rumblings from Halas Hall over the bye week. This was a performance and loss the Bears simply couldn’t afford. Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace are very likely in deep trouble. Chicago has a lot to figure out over their bye week. None of the news will be good.
12. The Bears are now 5-5 and their season is likely over. They head into a bye week (thankfully) and then to Green Bay for another prime time bout. What’s left to play for?
Early prediction: Packers 34, Bears 6.
