Bears 3rd qrt 2017 season

   Playoff hopes went out the window faster than they came, rather they never arrived completely. The expectation of watching this team slowly but steadily progress after each game hasn't shown and the result have been the contrary, only thing that is left now is to watch just how much deeper down the hole this team will have to crawl back from next season.

   The two division loses by a close margin where just hard to digest, it was impossible to not feel anger but still it was tolerable, you could say that they tried but just came short because of injuries, some bad play execution and bad luck. There wasn't much to fight for after those two losses but to go forward, get better as a team, as a unit in this system. Then came the destruction in Philadelphia, the loss was expected but the one sided match was not. Many thought the game against the 49ers was a sure win and resulted in another close loss by one point, but the only thing that mattered was that they couldn't maintain control of the game and ultimately lost. This will hit the players in their confidence and unity. But whats happening to this team? Why is it that they are regressing each game?

   A win against the Packers would have been big to start things right, boosting the teams morale. But even the bye week seemed non existent, players where still hurt and the team looked sloppy and unprepared. The Bears running game struggled and the defense couldn't stop the Packers, didn't matter who the RB was. The game slipped away giving big plays to the offense and having bad luck obviously didn't help when losing that TD challenge to have it overturned to a turnover. This was an Aaron Rorger-less team with a leaky defense, blitzes overwhelmed the offense and the defense just couldn't stop the run.

   Against the Lions, the offense played like they should have, running the ball efficiently and the passing game was there when needed. A botched snap between QB and C resulted in a defensive TD that came to haunt us at the end of the game. It came to the wire, both teams played as best they could, Mitchell Trubisky led the offense to a point where the kicker could tie the game. That kick may have been a spirit beaker for the team and the start of where we are now. It wasn't just a miss, it was a terrible attempt by a shaky kicker that was brought to make the team better. Connor Barth got waived the next day, something that probably should had happen sooner.

   The one against the Eagles was pure mockery, the run game was non-existent and Trubisky was constantly under fire. The Eagles went 3 of 4 on fourth downs and managed a bunch of big plays by air and ground. This was a humiliating game, cant call it a match. This just had to hit the team hard and everybody had to wake up and do something about it. But it seems it was to late.

   The visiting 49ers came to town with their new promising QB and were ready to play against a Bears defense that was patched up and running headless. With Danny Travathan back, the run was held to a minimum but with no Leonard Floyd and no Adrian Amos, the middle of the field was wide open for business all day for Jimmy Garoppolo and his receiving core but couldn't get in the end zone managing 5 FGs the entire game. That would be enough because once again the run game of the Bears, the one thing they found out they could do well at the beginning of the season that made them keep themselves in the game and ultimately made them win 3 games, was no where to be found. Some way the Bears managed to just pass the ball 15 times and run it 19 times in the whole game. Garoppolo threw more times than the Bears did plays. 

   Many games where against promising and already accomplished teams. Only 3 games where blowouts but just 1 when Trubisky was in at QB who is still a mentally raw player  for the NFL. The team is still rebuilding and watching which positions still need to be addressed.
   That doesn't make it less frustrating that in this 3rd year of this regime, talented players have emerged but feels they are not given the chance to succeed. The running game considered the backbone of the offense has taken a backseat. Too many runs going for negative yards, to many controversial play calls on 3rd downs, to many penalties on offense. How much blame do the coaches get from this? How much blame do they get of not preparing their players and adjusting to their strengths?
   Next four games are to be played for pride as individuals that represent a team, aside from that they are meaningless. Kyle Long and Mitch Unrein go to IR now, once a considered strong O-line and D-line are no more because of injuries. There is no more expectations of growth as a team anymore because now we have to rely on free agents and practice squad rookies to fill in the teams positions. There is no core of players to grow as a unit for next year, not until everyone get healthy again. Now its Ryan Pace's time to evaluate his team and get ready for next season, even if it means making changes starting right now.