Chicago Bears Offense Falters Again in Disheartening Loss to the Patriots

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ICARO Media Group
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11/11/2024 19h33

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In yet another dismal performance, the Chicago Bears' offense continued to struggle, culminating in a 19-3 defeat to the New England Patriots. This is the third consecutive game without a touchdown, marking a staggering eight quarters since they last reached the end zone. The Bears set new season lows with a meager 3 points and 142 yards, managed only 69 net passing yards, and converted just one of 14 third-down attempts. Quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked nine times, matching the ignominious record set by Justin Fields in his first career start in September 2021.

The latest disappointing result has forced Bears head coach Matt Eberflus to reconsider his stance on offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Eberflus, who had previously decided against making any changes in play calling after similarly poor outings against the Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals, hinted at possible adjustments during a news conference. "We'll look at everything—from top to bottom," Eberflus stated. "We've got to find ways to move the ball down the field and improve our performance across the board."

Sunday's game was intended to serve as a confidence booster for the Bears' offense. The Patriots' defense, which has been rather unremarkable this season, was anticipated to offer a favorable matchup. Instead, it further exposed the deficiencies in Waldron's scheme. Under his guidance, the Bears' offense has scored 16 points or fewer in six of nine games, including a dismal total of just 27 points over the last three games.

The offensive woes were compounded by injuries along the offensive line. Starting offensive tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright were sidelined with knee injuries, and left guard Teven Jenkins exited the game in the first half due to an ankle injury. These absences were glaring as the Patriots' defense, which had amassed only 16 sacks over the previous nine games, managed to sack Williams nine times thanks to a mix of exploitable weak points and well-timed blitzes.

Tight end Cole Kmet reflected on the team's struggles, describing the recent performances as a "big rut" and "pretty bad." Kmet, who finished the game with just two catches for 13 yards, noted the offense had taken "a pretty big step back" since returning from the bye week.

The Bears' inability to protect Williams and sustain drives not only raises concerns about the quarterback's health but also risks stunting his development. Despite this, Eberflus expressed confidence in Williams' resilience, emphasizing the need to collectively improve and pull together as a team to navigate through this challenging period.

Williams himself acknowledged the need for better situational awareness and execution, irrespective of the play calls. Despite the adverse circumstances, he completed 16 of 30 passes for 120 yards, with running back D'Andre Swift contributing 59 yards on 16 carries. Wide receiver DJ Moore had a subdued outing with three catches for 24 yards.

With the offensive unit faltering in crucial moments, starting with three unsuccessful drives that began in favorable field positions, the Bears now face the imperative task of identifying and implementing solutions to rejuvenate their sputtering offense. The next few games will be a critical test for both the coaching staff and players as they seek to reverse their fortunes.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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