Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus generally happy about team’s Week 13 performance

While he wasn’t happy about suffering his team’s sixth straight loss, Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is generally happy with the performance.

Last week did not go as most Chicago Bears fans wanted. The team lost its sixth straight game and ninth in ten games. They now have a 3-10 record heading into a much-needed bye week.

Despite that, head coach Matt Eberflus is generally happy with his team’s performance. As it has been said ad nauseam, this season isn’t about wins and losses. It is about developing the young players, finding out who deserves to be a part of the rebuild going forward, and setting a proper foundation for that rebuild.

In spite of throwing two late-game interceptions, Eberflus felt good about Justin Fields‘ throwing. Of course, Fields waved his magic wand and had another incredible 50+ yard touchdown run. However, it was his throwing until late that was a pleasant sight.

Fields was 20/25 for 254 yards. However, until his final two drives, he was 14/16 for 206 yards. During that same time, he had a 118.8 passer rating. He still finished with a 75.7 passer rating.

Eberflus was impressed with Fields’ passing.

"Really good connection I thought with the passing game, with a lot of different parts to our passing game. The big passes, we were excited about that. The throw to ‘EQ’ was beautiful. It was a really nice throw; really appreciate the height and accuracy of that pass."

Fields also had an incredible 49-yard completion to N’Keal Harry. He threw it to where only Harry could get to it. He trusted Harry to make the play and Harry did.

It was good to see Fields show some success with his arm. That gives the team some hope that when there are better players to target, he’ll be even better.

Eberflus was also happy about the offensive line. For the first time all season, the unit did not give up a sack.

"Really the most important thing I thought for us was the protection. What gave Justin Fields a clean pocket and to be able to operate the offense correctly was probably the most impressive thing that we had. We saw progress from that. That was really good."

The Chicago Bears had a season-high 409 yards. That doesn’t happen without the offensive line doing a pretty good job of protection and opening holes for the running backs, who gained 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. They averaged 6.2 yards per run.

While the line did a pretty good job, it still was a work in progress. The Green Bay Packers front started to dominate despite not getting to Fields. The Bears had trouble running the ball and Fields was pressured a lot in the last quarter and a half. Still, it was good to see some improvement. As they say, baby steps.

On defense, Eberflus was impressed with how the depleted secondary played despite having to go up against future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Chicago Bears were without cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Kindle Vildor, along with safeties Jaquan Brisker and Eddie Jackson.

The replacements held Rodgers to just 18/31 (58 percent completion rate) for 182 yards and a touchdown. He started to play better in the final quarter and a half, however, and made some big plays down the stretch. He led the Packers to an 18-0 run in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory.

"Four of the five guys in the secondary were backup guys. Really appreciate those guys. All the guys that were in there did a really nice job."

All in all, despite suffering another frustrating loss, the Chicago Bears still played a pretty good game. They have clawed and fought all season and have been in most of their games. Considering how bad this roster is, that is a big accomplishment.

Eberflus understands this and is appreciative of that effort. There are still four games remaining and it would be nice if that effort continues. Perhaps they could play the role of spoilers.