Despite losing 49-29, the Chicago Bears offense performed well. The unit is giving the fans a glimmer of hope for the future.
The Chicago Bears lost to the Dallas Cowboys 49-29. At first glance, you’d think it was just another blowout loss. However, that was not the case. Yes, the Bears were down big early…again. Again, the Bears kept fighting and made a game of it. A couple of misplays cost a chance at a comeback, however.
It was not a good game for the Chicago Bears’ defense. To be fair, the Cowboys have a very good offense. Despite not having Ezekiel Elliott due to an injury, Tony Pollard was plenty enough for Dallas. Pollard showed that he might be the better running back. He rushed for 131 yards and had 3 touchdowns. He even added a reception for 16 yards.
The Cowboys scored on their first four drives. They gashed the Chicago Bears’ defense on the ground and through the air. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 250 yards and had 2 touchdown passes. He added 34 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
After two drives last week, the Bears were up 10-0. After two drives this week, they found themselves down 14-0. However, the offense went to work. They went on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that took 6:38 off the clock. They cut the deficit to 14-7.
The Bears showed why they lead the league in rushing. They just ran it down the Cowboys’ defense on that drive. When Dallas got the ball back, they scored again. After the Bears punted on their next drive, Dallas again scored to make it 28-7.
Then the Bears decided to mount another comeback. Justin Fields led the offense on a 75-yard, 12-play drive that took 6:08. The Bears were down 28-14. Then, the defense had its best showing of the game. Eddie Jackson intercepted a Prescott pass. Suddenly, late in the second quarter, the Bears were threatening to score again.
However, the Cowboys made a couple of great defensive plays in the end zone to prevent the Bears from scoring a touchdown. They settled for a Cairo Santos field goal to make the game 28-17.
In the middle of the third quarter, the Bears scored again on a 5-play, 62-yard drive, and the Cowboys’ 21-point lead was cut down to just 5 at 28-23.
After the Cowboys scored yet another touchdown, the Bears started to move the ball again. However, David Montgomery fumbled and Micah Parsons recovered the ball. Fields was right by Parsons, but with Parsons rolling, Fields did not want to get rolled on. He leaped over Parsons. He did so without actually touching Parsons. Parsons got up and went to the end zone for the score. The Cowboys were now up 42-23 and the comeback bid was stopped.
That didn’t stop the Bears from continuing to grind, though. They went on another 75-yard drive. This one was 13 plays and took up 6:20. The score was now 42-29 and the Bears were still within striking distance.
The defense failed again as Dallas went 79 yards on just 5 plays to put the game out of reach at 49-29.
The Chicago Bears offense showed up to play
As we’ve been saying constantly, wins and losses aren’t the priority for 2022. What is important is the development of Fields. We have seen that in the past three weeks. He looks more comfortable with the offense.
One of the problems with the offense was the inability of the offense to move the ball. Well, over the past three games that has not been much of a problem.
Against the Cowboys, the Bears had 371 yards of total offense. It was the third straight game they eclipsed the 300-yard mark. Additionally, they rushed for 240 yards. It was also the third straight game they had over 200 rushing yards.
Furthermore, after scoring 33 points last week against the New England Patriots, not many felt they could repeat that against the Cowboys. Dallas entered the game ranked second in points allowed so many expected a low output of points by Chicago.
Instead, they put up 29 points, about double the points the Cowboys’ defense averages.
Fields completed 74 percent of his passes against Dallas. He threw for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns. He added 60 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
In his past three games, Fields has completed 62 percent of his passes, higher than his 57.9 percent completion percentage for his career or the 55.9 percent percentage he had entering the game.
Fields is leading this offense and doing so more effectively. No, the wins haven’t come with his improvement. However, those wins will come when he has more talent around him next season and beyond.