I was ready for a possible loss that Sunday, the end of the game didn't show possibilities, it showed that it wasn't just one man that owns this franchise, its a team. The Packers are a solid unit but the Bears weren't supposed to look as awful as they did, they failed as players, as coaches, as individuals and as a team, it was purely a soul taking loss, and its back to the drawing board.
Offensively it was bleak, there was too little to be cheerful about but not everything was wrong, they had a pair of good drives but penalties and the freaking execution on screen plays killed any rhythm they could have created and showed all the wrong things about this team. The Oline struggled and that was no surprise against a very staked Packers Dline, rookie Darnell Wright played as many thought a rookie would play, on the other side Braxton Jones just made to many penalties which was one thing last years team limited very well. Cody Whitehair and Nate Davis (with all his personal baggage) played an OK game, Lucas Patrick struggled, he just isn't strong enough to hold the anchor spot against experienced/powerful NTs. Luke Getsy tried to replicate the small sample of success he got calling screen plays with the starters in the preseason, on this game it was a mess and it was because of bad blocking by many but especially by Chase Claypool who had an awful game as a blocker, his bad rep makes it look like he just didn't try. Running backs and receivers didn't have much to show with the Oline struggling and Justin Field under siege most of the game, he never had a clean pocket but when he did have time and some space he just didn't throw it, it was so frustrating to see, one cant help but to think he isn't ready, he looked untrained or coached poorly at least to play in this system with this team, its infuriating to watch him go backwards in development as a QB.
Upside players: D.J. Moore did great once he got the ball, 2 for 2 was just inexplicable. Roschon Johnson can be a spark for this team with his type of play.
Downside players: A bit unfair But Darnell Wright just had to live the NFL experience. Cole Kmet and Claypool really need to step up as blockers. I didn't like Robert Tonyan in the preseason and didn't like him this game. Call me exaggerated or inpatient but this team needs to find a solution to sit Patrick for someone else or shuffle the line, would prefer to see Whitehair at center. Don't have the courage to put Fields here, but need to mention he didn't play well be it in part because of team performance overall and play calling, still he need to find his way to make throws to a better receiving situation with Moore and Mooney.
Defense showed more promise and that is really saying something when they get scored 38 points, the offense was that miserable. The Bears DL was hot or could against the run, or they stuffed them or they would get runs for 5+ yards a carry, so I was convinced the Packers would carve this defense with their run game, it really didn't happen so that's a plus. Looks like what really killed this defense was something basic, they are not coached well, the game plan was not meant for this squads talent, they are not ready to be called a team when they are still not on the same page and they call plays that don't place them in a winning position, case in point, this team cant rush for their lives, so why in all that is holy they didn't call blitzes on 3rd and long situations? Pro football reference has them calling 5 blitzes which puts them tied for the second least team to call blitzes in week one, this coaching staff was convicted that they could rush with only four for I don't know what reason. Its still a wait and see for this defense if they can gel enough to play better than average and for the coaches to get with the program. Alan Williams going through personal stuff is not ideal, if time is what he need its good to see him take it.
Upside players: Andrew Billings must be protected at all cost.
Downside players: I'm just naming Rasheem Green here because I just don't know what makes him so special to still be on the team, but any edge rusher could be here.
Bottom line, this teams is a long ways form being ready and I blame the coaches for most of it. One more game is needed to tell us more of this story that is the 2023 Chicago Bears, its just begun, it just started with the protagonist bleeding out and unconscious. The Bucs are a good second chance for the Bears, they are very similar to the Packers with a very good defense and wide receivers although their running game isn't as strong which should benefit the Bears defense. The Bucs are dealing with injuries in the defense and will play without corner Carlton Davis and rookie DL Calijah Kancey, Bears will go without nickel corners Kyler Gordon (IR) and Josh Blackwell, this opens the game to be an aerial assault for both teams which is what we need to see from Fields, the Bears need to challenge rookie corner Zyon McCollum who is no slouch at 6-4 200lbs and ran a 4.33 40, but he hasn't played much, Fields needs to let the ball go and trust his receiver will win. I predicted a loss to the Bucs at the beginning of the season because I presumed this team wasn't ready to win and sadly I was right, its winnable yes but most importantly they need to show they are building something resembling a competitive NFL team.
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