3 and out: Take-aways from Bears' stunning comeback
Takeaways from the Chicago Bears' 27-23 comeback win against the Detroit Lions on Sunday:
Three moments that mattered
Mr. Fourth Quarter?
Is anyone else able to explain that incredible turnaround?
On a crucial drive with under 11 minutes remaining, Trubisky had a 20-yard scramble. Two plays later, he had a delay of game penalty and missed Allen Robinson on an underthrow. He later took an 18-yard sack and fumbled.
The defense limited the damage and Trubisky took advantage of his next drive. Trubisky converted five consecutive passes for 55 yards, which included a touchdown to Javon Wims for the 2-yard score. The Bears then trailed 23-20 with 2:58 remaining.
To cap off the improbable comeback, Trubisky hit Anthony Miller for an absolute dime of a touchdown pass for the go-ahead score with 1:54 remaining. For many of the blemishes Trubisky has on his consistency, leading the offense to 21 unanswered points and turning in a brilliant fourth quarter has to be commended.
Trubisky finished 20-for-36 with 242 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Oh no, D'Andre Swift:
No other way to spin it: the Lions rookie dropped what would've been the game-winning touchdown pass with six seconds left. It was a gift for the Bears defense, who had been somewhat on their heels. Matt Stafford's final pass was knocked down in the end zone to ensure the victory.
Hello, Kyle Fuller:
On a 3rd-and-six, Stafford's pass intended for Marvin Jones Jr. was batted in the air and Fuller pulled down the crucial interception with 2:45 left in the quarter.
Three things that worked
Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller:
Perhaps motivated for a new contract, Robinson again showed his immense value as the No. 1 option for Trubisky. Robinson had five catches for 74 yards, which included a dazzling 22-yard catch with 1:49 remaining in the third quarter.
Not to be overlooked, Miller was sensational late in the game. Miller finished with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Run efficiency:
Much analysis has been made about the Bears' inconsistent commitment to the run game from last year. In the first quarter alone, David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen and Cordarrelle Patterson combined for 55 yards on eight carries. To his credit, Matt Nagy stuck with it in the third quarter down big and the Bears were ultimately able to establish some identity. The Bears finished with 149 combined rushing yards for the game.
Cairo Santos:
After being elevated from the practice squad in light of incumbent kicker Eddy Piñeiro's groin injury, Santos filled in well with a pair of field goals - the only Bears points for three quarters. No one needs reminders of how shaky the kicker position has been ever since the departure of Robbie Gould, but on a day when the offense consistently sputtered, not having to worry about the kicker is a plus.
Three things that didn't
Third-down efficiency:
The Bears' offense was 0-for-7 on third down until a 3rd-and-10 completion from Trubisky to Anthony Miller with 1:50 left in the third quarter. The Bears finished 2-for-11 for the game.
Rush defense:
Perhaps the loss of nose tackle Eddie Goldman is going to be a bigger story to watch as the season develops. The Bears, who were in the top 10 in rush yards allowed last season, were slightly gashed by the ageless Adrian Peterson and his 6.6 yards-per-carry, 93-yard Lions debut.
Tight end production:
The Bears invested heavy resources into revamping the tight end room by signing Jimmy Graham to a pricey free agent contract and drafting Notre Dame's Cole Kmet in the second round. Trubisky was 0-for-5 in targets to Graham and Kmet in the first half. Four of those attempts, however, were to Graham.
Graham, who finished with three catches for 25 yards, eventually caught a touchdown with 13:39 left in the fourth quarter to make it a 23-13 game.
What's next?
The Bears host star running back Saquon Barkley and the New York Giants at Soldier Field on Sept. 20. Last season, the Bears prevailed in a 19-14 victory.