Slow starts coming back to bite Chicago Bears

Opponents have outscored the Chicago Bears 89-41 in the first quarter this season, which has made for some thrilling comebacks but also has doomed John Fox's team to defeat the past two weeks.

In Week 5, the Bears spotted the Chiefs a 17-3 halftime lead at Kansas City but scored the final 15 points, including 2 fourth-quarter touchdowns for an 18-17 victory.

In Week 10 at San Diego, the Bears trailed the Chargers 16-7 at the half but again scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to pull out a 22-19 victory.

The problem is that this team isn't nearly good enough to consistently overcome early deficits.

In Sunday's home loss, the Bears' third in four weeks, they spotted Washington leads of 14-0 and 21-7. They eventually were able to pull even at 21-21 but never could overtake the visitors.

This time the defense probably deserves more of the blame, since Washington accumulated nearly half of its 374 total yards on its first two possessions, both of which resulted in touchdowns.

"When their first two possessions go 80-yard drive and a 93-yard drive you're probably not right on your stuff," coach John Fox said. "It was a slow start, but we were able to recover.

"You would prefer not to start that way. We just didn't execute very well and paid the price for it."

The offense wasn't blameless, since it didn't score until just 18 seconds remained in the first half.

"Whatever it is, rust or whatever you want to call it in the first few series, it can't happen," offensive tackle Kyle Long said. "That's a real tough pill to swallow right now."

Since nine of the Bears' last 10 games, two going overtime, have been decided by 6 points or fewer, slow starts are something they can't afford. Of the nine games decided by a touchdown or less, the Bears have lost five.

"I don't know that we've had any slower starts than finishes," Fox said. "We've just got to play better, particularly in crunchtime. I think that's been the frustrating part for the players and the coaches because a lot of time and effort goes into these things. We've been involved in some close games, even games we've won.

"We're still working hard to get better at it. As you look at the last two weeks, there are opportunities there, really at the end, ultimately, regardless of how it started. We just need to finish it better."

Fox makes a good point.

If Robbie Gould kicks the way he has for the past 10 years, the Bears send Sunday's game into overtime, and they defeat the 49ers in regulation a week earlier, rather than losing 26-20 in overtime.

But the Bears have finished strong more often than not. They've outscored opponents 94-72 in the fourth quarter. It just hasn't been enough to overcome obstacles built up earlier.

Against San Francisco, even though it was 13-13 at halftime, the offense came out looking rusty and running rough. The Bears settled for field goals after starting their first two possessions at the 49ers' 41-yard line and their own 47.

A touchdown on either possession and the game probably doesn't even go into overtime.

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