3 things that matter, 3 things that worked and 3 things that didn't in Bears' loss
The Kansas City Chiefs took down the Bears 26-3 under the lights Sunday at Soldier Field. Here's what went down.
THREE MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
1. The Chiefs marched down the field on their first possession and punched in a touchdown on a 12-yard run from QB Patrick Mahomes. The Bears overcommitted against dangerous TE Travis Kelce, and left the entire left side of the field open for Mahomes, who ran into the end zone untouched.
2. On the Bears' opening drive of the second half, trailing 17-0, QB Mitchell Trubisky and the offense drove to the Chiefs' 4-yard-line and stalled out in the red zone. On fourth-and-goal, Trubisky's pass intended for Allen Robinson was batted away. A touchdown would have given the Bears life in an otherwise lackluster performance.
3. After the Bears' defense came up with back-to-back stops to open the second half, Kansas City's offense revived itself with a 71-yard, fourth-quarter drive to put the game away. Mahomes found Damien Williams for a 14-yard TD on third down, putting the Chiefs up 23-3 with about 10 minutes remaining.
THREE THINGS THAT WORKED
1. Early-down success: The Bears' defense had some success forcing the Chiefs into third-and-long situations. The problem was that early in the game the Chiefs kept finding ways to convert. Their first drive was a perfect example. Kansas City converted on plays of third-and-10 and third-and-18. The Bears jumped early on a third-and-4 for a penalty, and Mahomes ran in a 12-yard touchdown on third down. It seemed as if no hole was too deep for Kansas City.
2. Bears on the board: The Bears gave kicker Eddy Pineiro a shot at a field goal from 46 yards in the third quarter. He split the uprights with ease. With an off-season of uncertainty looming, Pineiro is another player who is trying to cement his spot on the 2020 roster. He hasn't missed a field goal since going 0-for-2 against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 11.
3. Second-half D: Mahomes and the Chiefs didn't score in the third quarter, the Bears forcing back-to-back punts after halftime. LBs Kevin Pierre-Louis and Nick Kwiatkoski played well, each with double-digit tackles. Overall, though, it was no moral victory for the Bears.
THREE THINGS THAT DIDN'T
1. QB comparison: The battle of the former 2017 first-round draft picks didn't fare well for the Bears QB. No. 10 overall pick Mahomes was firing the ball all over the field, showing off his arm strength and sidearm action. No. 2 overall pick Trubisky had 59 total passing yards at halftime, and his team didn't have a point. It was a painful reminder of how things could have been different.
2. Goldman out: The Bears lost nose tackle Eddie Goldman early in the game (concussion). Goldman is a Pro Bowl alternate who has been a huge presence for the defensive line in the absence of injured Akiem Hicks. Goldman did not return to Sunday's game.
3. Bears offense: As has been the case all season, the Bears failed to create any momentum or consistency on offense. Allen Robinson made a few nice catches, David Montgomery had a couple of decent runs, but all in all it was a another disheartening offensive showing. The Chiefs, by comparison, look ready to make a run at the Super Bowl.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Bears finish the season against Minnesota at noon next Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.