Chicago Bears: Loss to Packers the worst in John Fox era
By David Mamola
The Chicago Bears have suffered many bad losses under John Fox, but the recent loss against the Green Bay Packers is easily the worst.
John Fox and the Chicago Bears were favorites to beat the Green Bay Packers in Week 10, so it makes complete sense that they laid an egg and lost. This is, after all, the Bears we are talking about. Under Fox, the Bears have been favored in games six times (that’s right, only six times in 41 possible games). In these six games, the Bears record is 0-6.
There have been 29 losses under John Fox, but this loss to Green Bay is probably the worst. Yes, there have been games in which the Bears were blown out and embarrassed on national television, and games in which the Bears turned the ball over three times in one half. But this past Sunday’s game meant so much to the direction of the team.
For the first time in many years, the Bears had the Packers where they wanted them—without Aaron Rodgers, at Soldier Field, and with a franchise quarterback (Mitchell Trubisky) under center. Yet instead of winning and keeping their slim playoff hopes alive, the Bears fell flat on their face and insured that meaningful football games in November and December will once again escape the team and loyal fanbase.
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The Bears looked unprepared. You can call it being overconfident, but the team lacked focus and effort all game long. There is no excuse why the Packers’ third-string running back should be literally running over Bears’ defenders; there is no excuse for the offense to commit stupid penalty after stupid penalty; and there is no excuse why John Fox would challenge Benny Cunningham’s reception. Apparently, Fox has no confidence in the Bears’ offense to score a touchdown on first-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
Mike McCarthy and the Green Bay coaching staff ran circles around the Bears’ coaches. Coaching means a lot in the NFL, and on Sunday, that was on full display. The Packers, despite having only six days to prepare (as opposed to the Bears who had two weeks), were the more-ready team. The Bears looked lackadaisical out there, and their so-called rest-of-season “springboard” game came up and slapped them in the face instead.
It all adds up to a disappointing 3-6 record and another season down the drain. Being the underdog in a game is easy, as expectations are low. It’s easy to get over the bar when the bar is laying on the floor. But when the Bears are expected to win, they don’t. Again, this team is 0-6 as favorites under John Fox. That record alone is a fireable offense, let alone Fox’s 12-29 record in 41 games with the Bears.
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Sunday’s game (and the challenge decision) will live in infamy, and if/when John Fox is fired, Week 10 of the 2017 season will be one of the biggest reasons why.