Bears Film Study finds the same old mistakes in epic loss
For a team like the Bears, constantly trying to crawl out of a deep ditch, they need to turn every loss into a learning experience.
So the team's worst defensive performance since the Marc Trestman era should provide a library of knowledge. For the record, the last time the Bears allowed 50 points and 500 yards in a four-quarter game was Dec. 22, 2013, when they fell 54-11 in Philadelphia.
For starters, Sunday's loss in Detroit confirmed some fears from the off-season about general manager Ryan Poles repeating past mistakes. He keeps passing out large contracts at positions most NFL teams don't emphasize.
In 2023, it was signing linebacker Tremaine Edmunds as a free agent. This winter, Poles spent $54 million on the guard-center-guard trio of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Joshua Jackson.
Now, those four players aren't necessarily the problem, although the jury's still out on those offensive linemen. Spending money elsewhere left the Bears thin at priority positions like tackle, edge and cornerback — and boy, was that obvious against the Lions.
Watching a second time, the Bears stayed competitive longer than it may have seemed. They scored with just under two minutes left in the first half to close within 21-14. That's when everything started to unravel.
Just can't stop it
Late in the first half, it was time for a stop on defense. Instead, Jared Goff completed 8 of 8 passes and the Lions drove 76 yards to go up by two touchdowns. Everything was an easy throw for Goff up until the 29-yarder to Isaac TeSlaa on the sideline.
It was a simple formula — no pass rush, plus no Kyler Gordon, plus no Jaylon Johnson equaled trouble. This was a talent issue as much as anything.
The Bears punted to open the third quarter and Detroit's next play from scrimmage essentially ended the game. The Lions cleared out the right side, then ran Jameson Williams on a deep cross for a 64-yard gain.
That's a route that takes time to develop and Bears edge Montez Sweat almost got home, but Goff got the pass away and Williams was so wide open, he was able to slow down and spin to catch the ball slightly behind him, then keep running downfield.
There also appeared to be a major mix-up in the secondary. Corners Tyrique Stevenson and Nahshon Wright followed their receivers in man coverage, but nickel Nick McCloud turned Williams loose, as if he were playing zone, which meant a flat-footed T.J. Edwards was forced to try to stay in front of a full-speed Williams. Edwards ended up injuring a hamstring while giving chase. The Bears held the Lions to a field goal, but that made the score 31-14 and flipped on the green light for Detroit's pass rushers.
Feeling the pressure
The Bears did a couple things well offensively in this game. One was run wide, which is where tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright excel — run-blocking on the move.
The Bears also did a nice job utilizing Rome Odunze on some of those deep crossing patterns the Lions used so often. Both of the Bears' first-half scoring drives were sparked by such throws. But to hit those passes, quarterback Caleb Williams needs time in the pocket.
As the game progressed and Detroit's pass rushers picked up steam, it became clear Williams still doesn't trust his protection. Even when the Bears held off the rush, Williams would get uncomfortable and hurry throws.
The Lions won the sack battle 4-0, since the one time Sweat got to Goff, it was nullified by a penalty. It's a new season, but the same problems persist.
Quick-hitters
There was a possible glimpse of a brighter future at the end of the game. When Theo Benedet came in at left tackle at the same time Tyson Bagent took over at QB, there was a play where Thuney and Benedet double-teamed Aidan Hutchinson on one pass play. The Bears need to try that more, no matter who is playing left tackle. …
Sights seen on Detroit's opening drive: Jaquan Brisker getting stonewalled by a block from wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, Dayo Odeyingbo getting pushed backward by tight end Sam LaPorta, Tremaine Edmunds running into teammate Tyrique Stevenson during Jahmyr Gibbs' touchdown run. … This one didn't end up costing the Bears, but if a quarterback sneak fails on third-and-one, why run it again on fourth-and-one?