Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the Bears-Saints game at the Caesar’s Superdome. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
NEW ORLEANS — It was quite the October for the Chicago Bears. They lost heartbreaking football games to the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings. They thoroughly beat the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders. And then last Sunday night, they got soundly drummed by the Los Angeles Chargers in prime time.
Sandwiched between all that, they lost QB Justin Fields to injury. They fired another coach — this time, the RB coach. But they also traded for DE Montez Sweat and signed him to a monster extension just yesterday.
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The final nine games of this season will serve as the final evaluation inputs for Matt Eberflus — starting with Sunday in New Orleans.
And in the end, the Bears competed very well for a half, before completely melting down with 4 turnovers in the second half to lose a fun but quite ugly football game.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations below. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation!
Thoughts and Observations
1. It’s clear that Tyson Bagent has a lot of confidence. He’s not afraid to run it himself, test windows, and throw it wherever. That helped the Bears on the first drive — with him trusting Cole Kmet against Tyrann Mathieu 1-1 for a touchdown (brilliant catch by Kmet). On the second drive, it hurt them — with him firing VERY late to Kmet again and getting picked off. Bagent is fun, but it’s clear he’ll have a ceiling in the NFL. A solid one, though!
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2. I think Tyrique Stevenson will be a very good CB in this league. I really do. But man, right now, the Bears’ secondary outside Jaylon Johnson is getting weekly tuition from every QB.
3. Cole Kmet has two touchdowns today and the Bears currently lead in New Orleans, 14-7, with ~13 minutes remaining in the second quarter. Bagent rebounded beautifully. And Luke Getsy is scheming some real chunk plays open today. Lots of YAC. It’s been very fun to watch.
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Key play on that drive — Bagent lunging for a first down in the red zone on 3rd and 12 and Matt Eberflus listening to his team and challenging the spot. Flus has done some good stuff today with respect to game management.
4. Montez Sweat is pushing the pocket in his first game as a Bear. He is definitely making an impact on the DL. The issue is, Derek Carr is getting the ball out quickly, and no one else seems to be except Jack Sanborn, and usually those plays are happening way too far downfield. Rough game for the defense.
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5. After a lovely drive from Tyson Bagent — utilizing his legs beautifully to keep New Orleans completely off-balance, Cairo Santos hit the right upright on a 40-yard field goal attempt. It’s tied at halftime, 14-14. But man, that took us back to 2018, eh? First miss of the season for Santos.
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6. This is becoming a Bagent column, but man — the dude is FUN. He has veteran-level poise already and is reading the field in a calm, impressive manner in New Orleans. The Bears have found SOMETHING in this guy. We don’t know what it is, but it’s something. Long, impressive drive ends in a field goal and we’re tied at 17 near the end of the 3Q.
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7. Luke Getsy was having a marvelous day, and then he called a screen on 3rd and 6 from his own 15 after his QB had shown all day he was up to the task. And just like that, the Saints march quickly down the field to take a 24-17 lead. This coaching staff excels at playing “Not to lose” — which usually loses. Classic defensive HC mindset. It was fun while it lasted.
8. Bagent didn’t lead Darnell Mooney enough on that slant that would’ve been a big gain. Crushing INT from Marcus Maye in Bears territory — would’ve been an interesting situation had that sneaked through.
But inexplicably, the Saints are stuffed on 4th and 1 on a Derek Carr QB sneak at the Bears’ 17. Why not Taysom Hill?
Either way, Bears got a break.
9. And Bagent gave it right back. Third pick.
And yet, the Bears get another stop. 98 yards to paydirt … can Bagent do it this time?
10. Nope! Another NFC loss and the Bears’ playoff hopes, on life support as they were, are just about dead. It was a fun game, but the Bears just melted down on the “T” of the “HITS” principle today. 2-7 and closer to a coaching change.
11. Final thought: Yeah, it’s time for the Velus Jones Jr. experience to end.
12. The Bears’ Super Bowl, essentially, is this Thursday night at Soldier Field when the Carolina Panthers come to town. The Panthers, who owe the Bears their first-round pick, have every incentive to beat the Bears. No tank this season, despite no playoffs being likely. It’d be so Bears to let them come into Soldier Field and walk out with a back-breaking win… so Bears. Isn’t that what’s going to happen?
Early prediction: Bears 13, Panthers 10
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I didn’t watch the game. Too busy ending racism.
Bagent 5 Ints 3 Fumbles in 3 gms! 2 defensive TDs. TOs killing us!
Only the bookies making book on who gets draft spot #1 care.