W8vsSF: Clicking

   Once the game was over I remembered I had the Bears probably losing to the 49ers mostly because of experience, it ended up being somewhat true but not as I expected. The Bears had their chance to win this one and arguably they should have, they couldn't maintain the lead surprisingly because the defense just got outperformed, outcoached and just plain shot themselves in the foot.

   The offense pretty much controlled the game eating a lot of clock and moving the ball with good enough rhythm, not efficient but effective, they just didn't got it done in the scoring department enough to overcome the lack of defense. Justin Fields had a good game, showed he can be a QB and a weapon, the Bears called vastly more PA that benefited Fields to make plays, he is still missing the long passes but he might be getting there in terms of confidence, there wasn't much need to go long although its something I am waiting/wanting for him to exploit against defenses, take some more risks, ill be patient though just because games like this give me hope that Fields is constantly progressing and shows how poised and dangerous he can be with the ball when given time and even when the play breaks down also showed he can make something out of nothing. Khalil Herbert and the OL had a very good first half but struggled in the second, the 49ers just found a way to take the run game out of the Bears plans, although this is not ideal, it showed Fields could still make plays in spite of it. 

Upside players: Larry Borom wasted no time to show he is legit, plugged in at RT in front of Nick Bosa  who is not your average Joe pass rusher and didn't lose a beat, excited to see the day him and Teven Jenkins play on opposite edges, just imagining them both being hits and anchoring the OL for years to come protecting Fields would be so awesome. Fields did his part and more on this game, arrow still pointing up making it extremely easy to have patience with his growth.

Downside players: James Daniels had a rough game against Arik Armstead who is no easy task for anyone, it wasn't a complete disaster but he did struggle, got to get better against the good ones. Still waiting for the Bears to reshuffle the interior so they can bench Sam Mustipher.

   Normally 22 points would have been enough for the Bears to win against a banged up team with an above average QB, not this time. The Bears defense were on bend but don't break mode for 3 qrts of the game ultimately braking once they entered the 4th allowing two 49ers TDs to seal the game. Sean Desai got outcoached and probably missed having Eddie Jackson patrolling the outfield, the defense couldn't make the 49ers punt once and got torched on some plays that maintained the 49ers alive the whole game. It is very strange to see them get beat by the run game when having their front 7 almost completely healthy except for Khalil Mack, some mismatches on pass plays and the lack or no pass rush at all just killed any shot they had of stopping them from getting points. 

Upside players: Alec Ogletee played with good effort and its something you would like to see in all of the players on the field. Akiem Hicks is an example for anyone that wants to play at the DL, plays hard and never quits.

Downside players: The defense as a unit crumbled without their center fielder and prime pass rusher, Desai just didn't look to have an answer for his players to fill the void Jackson and Mack left, creating no pressure and not finding a way to stop the quick passing game.

  This game is an opportunity for Desai to learn and get better and an eye opener for the offense to realice that they have ways to go to be considered a good offense, compared to last year they have progressed but it would be comparing them to mediocrity, less three and outs and consistence in moving the ball passed mid field are things that should be a standard by a good offense, they need to get with the times and focus on how to get Fields in better positions to help his offense score more points. The Bears lost their chance to be on top of the division when they lost to Green Bay, now they lost their chance to better their chances to be in the post season by losing to the 49ers, if they lose at Pittsburgh on Monday they cut their chances to even get the last wild card spot to barely none, either way they shouldn't lose their focus even if the regime that is now in control of the team shouldn't be considered for many, if not any, to return next season unless the unexpected happens and even then the results should be evaluated meticulously, but who am I kidding right? By deciding or failing to get any trade value for the veterans on the team before the trade deadline and not stocking for a rebuild for 2022, Ryan Pace and the rest are set to squeeze every drop of energy and fight this team has and see where it can get them to. Now there is nothing more to do but watch this season unfold with what they have. As like last week, the Bears have a shot to beat the Steelers low powered offense, talent isn't the problem with Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson and Najee Harris having enough playmaking ability to make anyone pay, it seems the problem relies on the OL and the aging Ben Roethlisberger, the Bears need to get pressure to stop this offense. The Steelers defense in the other hand is not too shabby with T.J. Watt and the front seven terrorizing QBs, the Bears OL will have a challenge in their hands to give Fields enough time. Looking at it closely this could end up being the 49ers game all over again, can the Bears and their coaching staff be ready this time around?