Nagy blows perfect chance to surprise Titans

One of the Bears' most impressive play calls on an otherwise abysmal afternoon in Tennessee on Sunday came early in the second quarter.

Trailing just 3-0 and facing fourth-and-2 from their own 36, the Bears perfectly executed a fake punt that netted 11 yards.

After going three and out on the previous three drives, this gutsy call had the potential to breathe new life into Nick Foles, David Montgomery, Allen Robinson and Co.

But that's not what happened.

Instead, Foles turned around and handed the ball to Montgomery, who was promptly swallowed up after a 2-yard gain. Cordarrelle Patterson then went around left end for 6 yards, and Montgomery was stuffed for no gain on third-and-2.

Punt team returns.

Titans take over.

Momentum squashed.

Why not dial up a bomb on that first-down play from the 47? Come out in a three- or four-receiver set and take a shot downfield.

Give Robinson or Darnell Mooney a chance to REALLY get your team excited. Try ANYTHING but another dive into that makeshift offensive line.

Now, yes, it's completely plausible that Foles would have been buried in about two seconds flat.

But I'm guessing not.

Many coaches love to throw deep on first down from midfield, ESPECIALLY after a turnover or a fake punt puts the defense on its heels.

Not only did head coach Matt Nagy fail to realize this, but his team also had to burn a timeout!

Again, to run the ball up the middle.

It's enough to make you scream.

"A recurring theme here on offense," Nagy said after the 24-17 loss. "That starts with me and we've got to get better."

So how does that happen?

Great question because there aren't many answers.

Good - or even decent - offenses always start with a formidable line - and the banged-up Bears might have the worst one in the NFL right now.

Nagy obviously knows this, but you've got to take a chance early in games.

Robinson (7 catches, 81 yards) and Darnell Mooney (5 catches, 43 yards) have both proven they can come up with big catches even if the coverage is good. So heave one up there and see what happens.

There's no one singular problem to the Bears' offensive woes, but maybe it's time for Nagy to relinquish the play-calling duties. Many teams use the offensive coordinator, who often sits in the press box and has a bird's-eye view of what is happening on the field.

Let's see if Bill Lazor sends in more effective plays on fourth-and-1. Or third-and-2. Or second-and-16.

Or first-and-10 from the 47 after a successful fake punt.

Give it a shot. After all, how much worse can it be?

• Twitter: @johndietzdh