In 2021, the Chicago Bears were in a transition period. They’d just drafted quarterback Justin Fields, and head coach Matt Nagy was under pressure to win. The preseason started well enough with a win over Miami. Then the Buffalo Bills came to town and railroaded the Bears 41-15. At one point, it was 41-6. Bills head coach Sean McDermott seemed to delight in hammering them, blitzing often on defense, and staying aggressive offensively. They say karma eventually catches up to you. In this case, it took four years.
McDermott likely had no idea what was coming Sunday night at Soldier Field. He looked a little shellshocked when the dust settled after the Bears stomped his team 38-0. Preseason or not, it was beyond evident that Chicago was well-prepared and motivated to play the game. They outperformed Buffalo in every facet. That was what was more concerning for McDermott than anything. Forget the scheming. The Bears played with more fire and better fundamentals. That is humiliating for a team that just went to the AFC championship last year.
Sean McDermott may end up thanking the Bears.
Sometimes you need a good butt-whipping to wake you up to a hidden danger. Buffalo players likely have it in their heads that they’re good and everything will be fine. That is often the first step on the road to disappointment. Every year is a new year. What they accomplished last season means nothing. The rest of the NFL doesn’t care. Chicago just proved that. They weren’t in awe of Buffalo. If anything, the presence of a good opponent made them want to dominate even more. No doubt that victory was a major confidence boost for the Bears. If Sean McDermott is smart, and he is, he will use that loss as a reminder to his players that they won’t win anything on reputation. If they want to be champions, they need to do the work.
