I couldn't help myself but believe the Bears had a chance to win even when I knew the Packers have very little flaws on their team and are more in tone with each other that the new formed squad the Bears have, at the end of the day I was naïve. The Bears lacked execution on both sides of the ball paired with some questionable to bad refereeing, still there is no question that this team is still in its infant stage.
The offense struggled mightily in the passing department while excelling on run plays, David Montgomery looked inspired and ran with determination but wasn't enough, the offense lacked execution, the Oline looked like they took turns to make a mistakes but what really hurt the offense was Justin Fields looking hesitant and not in control, yes the line didn't make it easy for him but there where chances to get some positive yards out of those broken down plays if he just got rid of the ball to his safety valve or eliminate that extra step when dropping back to pass and be inside a good pocket for an extra second or two, he was too eager to run at times instead of moving a bit to have some space and get rid of the ball while other times he could have run and get some yards but instead stopped in his tracks and made a bad pass, he needs to be more determined in his decision making and he will be better, it might just take more reps and opportunities to get him going.
Upside players: If David Montgomery can play with that time of energy for most of the season, look out offensive MVP. Teven Jenkins is a mauler and was one of the biggest reasons the run game worked, getting him to play a whole game would be ideal and may happen with Lucas Patrick taking snap duties in practice this week. Khari Blasingame was the other big reason that the run game worked, I wouldn't mind if he gets more playing time to get Fields more blockers and a potential extra receiver to get out of trouble.
Downside players: Fields had a bad game, he gets some film to study and get better, he still has time for it. I give Braxton Jones a pass but Larry Borom needs to get better handling that RT spot. Sam Mustipher got better this year, he showed improvement this preseason but doesn't make him a starter, its time to see Patrick at C. Cole Kmet missed too many plays, he can be a difference maker but this game as a blocker he showed too little improvement, his opportunities as a pass catcher were limited of course but a drop ball is never a good thing.
The defense held but the Packers found a weakness and tried to exploit it all game and for a whole quarter it worked and that was enough to put this game away. Matt LaFleur installing a solid running game on that Packers team really is helping Aaron Rodgers bring the best of that offense, you just cant focus on Rodgers when Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon can pound on you on any time. The defense, as it has been for a long time, did give the offense a chance to get back in the game but this story continues to tell the same tale. The rookies struggled in this one, there was to much responsibility put on Kyler Gordon which put him out of position too many times and Jaquon Brisker missed to many tackles, they are young and can learn from this and if they do then this defense gets better, cant say the same for the LB position where both veterans struggled to plug the running lanes especially Roquan Smith who is not known for doing that, possibly the reason the new coaches and GM weren't in a hurry to give him a big contract.
Upside players: The pass rush found some success especially when Dominique Robinson, Trevis Gipson and Robert Quinn where in together, this NASCAR group is something to look forward to. Eddie Jackson will probably never be an enforcer but he really looked like he tries.
Downside players: Its tough to put Gordon and Brisker here but its only one game and are still improving. Smith is a hard one to place here when he is the guy you are counting to lead this unit, but the defensive scheme is doing him no favors and something tells me it will continue the same way, so if Smith cant find a way to improve his block shedding, I don't think he will be on the team for long and the media will have more ammo to talk trash about the Bears.
The Bears have a really good game to bounce back on this weekend against the Texans who are as raw as they are, its a good opportunity to solidify the fundamentals, if they can manage to control this game and give Fields more shots to throw the ball it would be ideal, still the Texans are as hungry as the Bears are so anything is possible and it could wind up being a close game where the team will have to count on Fields to win it, not the best of scenarios but what this team needs is scenarios to gain experience, against a subpart team it doesn't matter if it's close, if they can get the win at the end is something that they can grown on. Injuries are starting to pile in but these injuries might be good for the team, Velus Jones can't get on the field yet for his debute and he might just be ready when N'Keal Harry is as well, Ryan Griffin won't be available so there's a chance to see Jake Tongues get some snaps, defensively not getting Jaylon Johnson and Roquan Smith could be impactful and it might be in a good way, if this pushes Gordon outside for the whole game and plays well while we get to see if Jaylon Jones or Josh Blackwell can be effective at NB and get to see Jack Sanborn or Sterling Weatherford play, getting them on the field early might be good for the future, maybe.
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