Week 14: Bears at Packers Sunday 3:25 on Fox

[Wilson A2000]

2 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

What 3 mistakes did he make? 

Not running the ball enough in the first half, not getting into FG position in the first half on the GB 41, and the final play call

[minnesotacubsfan]

10 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

He made 3 big mistakes today. That’s gotta stop happening. 

Yea!

 

 

I mean he’s 9 wins into his rookie season guys HE HAS TO CHANGE 

[minnesotacubsfan]

horsefeathers Ben Johnson might be the greatest HC the Bears have had since Halas started the league. Just let the man cook.

 

 

 

[Rcal10]

9 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

Not running the ball enough in the first half, not getting into FG position in the first half on the GB 41, and the final play call

horsefeathers. Had Caleb thrown a TD pass on the last play you wouldn’t be calling it a bad call. That is just after the fact horsefeathers. Also, not running on 3rd and 11 from the 41 isn’t a bad call. Sure, he should have ran more early, but that doesn’t qualify as a bad play call. He scripted the first several plays. It didn’t work. Thats all there is to it. Judging coaches because something doesn’t work will result in every coach having numerous bad plays called.  

[BigSlick]

This is about the least bad I could feel following a loss to the Packers where we relinquish the NFC North lead. 

I have quibbles with Ben Johnson's opening gameplan (I think you gotta start off pounding the ball more, but game flow also dictates a little bit of that), but he clearly adjusted in the second half. I also think he let waaaay too much time come off the clock on the last drive, I understand wanting to leave Green Bay zero time left if you score, but he let so much come off that it restricted his playcalls. We weren't on the goal line, we were on the Green Bay like, 20. It was a mistake. 

But overall, the dude has a superior grasp of game flow, play calling, and strategic calls in general. he's obviously inspired the entire roster. Things are good. I trust in Ben. 

Edited December 8, 2025 by BigSlick

[Wilson A2000]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

horsefeathers. Had Caleb thrown a TD pass on the last play you wouldn’t be calling it a bad call. That is just after the fact horsefeathers. Also, not running on 3rd and 11 from the 41 isn’t a bad call. Sure, he should have ran more early, but that doesn’t qualify as a bad play call. He scripted the first several plays. It didn’t work. Thats all there is to it. Judging coaches because something doesn’t work will result in every coach having numerous bad plays called.  

At the 41 yard line early in the game the passing game was in shambles. You only throw there if you are planning on kicking a FG on 4th down if the pass is incomplete. As far as the last play of the game, go with your strength which is running or a straight Caleb play action naked bootleg run. And to roll Caleb to the left makes it harder to get something on the ball. The Bears are good enough to get a yard on 4th down running it with 27 seconds to go and two timeouts in their pocket even when everyone knows it’s coming. 

[BigSlick]

I'm looking at every drive in the first half:

1st drive: run of 5 yards, incomplete pass, holding penalty, forced into 3rd and 15, incomplete pass

2nd drive: Incompletion, false start, incompletion, incompletion 

3rd drive: 7yard run, 5 yard run, 2 yard pass (Caleb's first completion!), 1 yard run, Incompletion, Punt

4th drive is a 14 play drive for a field goal that includes 9 runs, including 6 in a row at one point. 

 

So, you can quibble a little bit, but I'm less mad than I was when I saw Caleb at 0-5 passing and the Bears totally dead in the water. You probably could have started the 2nd drive with a run, but due to penalties and down and distance Johnson was pretty much forced to pass on several other downs. You can say "oh we're just running 1st and 2nd down no matter what" but then you are just completely one dimensional and defenses will be entirely keyed on the run. Maybe that's what they should have done! But I'm not *that* mad about it. Just a little mad.

Regardless, Caleb and the Line has to play better against a fearsome pass rush. Yeah it's not easy, but if they're just slightly less horsefeathers in the first half, they win this game. 

[Wilson A2000]

Bears in the 7th spot in the playoffs with the Packers, Niners, and Lions on the schedule. If the Bears miss the playoffs, it will be because they can’t beat playoff teams ahead of them. Still, a 65% chance of making the playoffs. 

[minnesotacubsfan]

12 minutes ago, Wilson A2000 said:

Bears in the 7th spot in the playoffs with the Packers, Niners, and Lions on the schedule. If the Bears miss the playoffs, it will be because they can’t beat playoff teams ahead of them. Still, a 65% chance of making the playoffs. 

Packers have to beat the best AFC team away next week. We get Cleveland. There’s also a good chance we’re back in 1st, defending it at home to GB

 

[Soul]

We go from #1 to #7 in one loss.  Cray cray 

[UMFan83]

1 hour ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

Packers have to beat the best AFC team away next week. We get Cleveland. There’s also a good chance we’re back in 1st, defending it at home to GB

 

The idea in my mind was always splitting with GB would allow us to control our North destiny (provided they win in Cleveland or GB loses next week).  The Chicago game was always going to be the more likely game to win.  We still control our destiny for everything but the bye.  We're in fine shape, but still need 2 more wins to feel any sort of safety about our playoff destiny.

Also for those worried about missing the playoffs altogether, the Lions schedule is no cakewalk.  3 of their last 4 on the road:  @LAR (if the Bears win next week, that result is positive for us regardless), vs. PIT (clinging to the playoffs), @ MIN (still a strong D and looked feisty today) and @ the Bears.

If the Bears only win 1 of their next 3, there's still a decent chance that the last game against Detroit is a win and in scenario.  The Panthers/Bucs divisional loser are the only other teams really in the mix at 7-6 but they'd need a miracle to be alive for a wild card come Week 18 at this point.

So at this point it's 6 teams for 5 spots.  The Rams and Seahawks seem fairly safe, so maybe more like 4 teams for 3 spots (GB, SF, CHI, DET).  Bears still have a chance to win the tiebreaker over the 49ers.  I'm not sure if they can win the tiebreaker over the Lions at this point.

H2H: 0-1 (with 1 to play)

Div: Both teams 1-3

Common opponents: Both teams 6-4

The Bears would have to go 2-1, with their loss to the 49ers with the Lions going 2-1 with their loss to the Rams in order to still be tied in divisional record and common opponents.  But if that happens, the Lions are 1 GB the Bears heading into Week 18, meaning they'd have to beat the Bears to tie them, thus winning the H2H.  Better to assume that the Bears need to finish ahead of the Lions (or beat the 49ers and tie with them)

 

Sorry I turned this into a rambling, just working out the scenarios in my head as I type it out.

[cwood218]

9 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Sorry I turned this into a rambling, just working out the scenarios in my head as I type it out.

Nah, I think your just warming up the brain up for a four month long gloat fest while Dusty May goes full Genghis Khan mode and lays waste to college basketball.

[gflore34]

Find it ironic Packers fans are whining about Parsons being held.  How often Mack was held by the Packers?

[raw]

If there's anything I hate, it's the "they didn't run the ball enough" takes. Running the ball is great when you can dominate at it like last week. Not so great when your OL is dominated like the 1st half Bears were. And most people seem to be talking about early in the game. The Bears ran 1x in their first 6 plays (2 drives). Well yeah, because they had 15 yards to go on exactly 1/2 of those plays. It would have been stupid to run just to say you're balanced. 

Ben Johnson has led top 8 offenses every year he's been an OC, including this year with a QB, top 3 targets, and RB1B all in their 1st 2 years of their careers, not to mention an OL playing together for the first season with mix and match rookie LTs. Maybe give the guy the benefit of the doubt?

[raw]

Oh and Caleb's 0-5 to start was 2 drops, 1 throwaway, and I'm pretty sure the first play was Burden not running his route at the correct depth, because after the 2nd time he did that (also in the 1st quarter), he was taken out of 2 WR sets (because he's used to being the 3rd WR) for Zaccheus. 

[Rcal10]

9 minutes ago, raw said:

If there's anything I hate, it's the "they didn't run the ball enough" takes. Running the ball is great when you can dominate at it like last week. Not so great when your OL is dominated like the 1st half Bears were. And most people seem to be talking about early in the game. The Bears ran 1x in their first 6 plays (2 drives). Well yeah, because they had 15 yards to go on exactly 1/2 of those plays. It would have been stupid to run just to say you're balanced. 

Ben Johnson has led top 8 offenses every year he's been an OC, including this year with a QB, top 3 targets, and RB1B all in their 1st 2 years of their careers, not to mention an OL playing together for the first season with mix and match rookie LTs. Maybe give the guy the benefit of the doubt?

Agreed. And to add to this, the people complaining about not running early or not running on 4th down with a yard to go at the end of the game are the same people who would complain if he ran 5 of 6 plays and went nowhere early, or ran up the middle and got stopped on 4th down late in the game. Everyone watching a game think they know better. Some feel the need to vent to show how smart they are. Johnson is the best offensive mind we have had in Chicago. No, I don’t agree with all his plays. But I don’t pretend to know more than him either. 
Even the 4th down play. Caleb could have taken it for the first down and got out of bounds. He also had Moore right in front of him for a 1st down. Had he done either, Bears might have won and no one would say a word about the “bad call” Johnson made. 
 

[Wilson A2000]

11 hours ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

Yea!

 

 

I mean he’s 9 wins into his rookie season guys HE HAS TO CHANGE 

Ben is very good but clearly not perfect. He has to coach a perfect game when the other team’s two most important players, their quarterback and defensive end, are better than your quarterback and defensive end.

Edited December 8, 2025 by Wilson A2000

[gflore34]

17 minutes ago, raw said:

If there's anything I hate, it's the "they didn't run the ball enough" takes. Running the ball is great when you can dominate at it like last week. Not so great when your OL is dominated like the 1st half Bears were. And most people seem to be talking about early in the game. The Bears ran 1x in their first 6 plays (2 drives). Well yeah, because they had 15 yards to go on exactly 1/2 of those plays. It would have been stupid to run just to say you're balanced. 

Ben Johnson has led top 8 offenses every year he's been an OC, including this year with a QB, top 3 targets, and RB1B all in their 1st 2 years of their careers, not to mention an OL playing together for the first season with mix and match rookie LTs. Maybe give the guy the benefit of the doubt?

I'm guilty of they didn't run he ball enough, most especially after seeing them start to dominate the Packers in the second half.  Taking a step back, all you said is true, it really is shaping up to be a new era of good football from the Bears.  Good HC and QB (yes, it's coming), something Bears fans have never seen.

[gflore34]

25 minutes ago, raw said:

Oh and Caleb's 0-5 to start was 2 drops, 1 throwaway, and I'm pretty sure the first play was Burden not running his route at the correct depth, because after the 2nd time he did that (also in the 1st quarter), he was taken out of 2 WR sets (because he's used to being the 3rd WR) for Zaccheus. 

You can see some of this in the film reviews, I'd say it's 60-40 Caleb being inaccurate and the receivers not being in the right place.  It's what has me very optimistic about Caleb taking a big leap next season because all of these issues are fixable. Many of which are just issues with familiarity and knowledge of Ben' offense which will be repaired with experience.

[CubinNY]

12 hours ago, BigSlick said:

This is about the least bad I could feel following a loss to the Packers where we relinquish the NFC North lead. 

I have quibbles with Ben Johnson's opening gameplan (I think you gotta start off pounding the ball more, but game flow also dictates a little bit of that), but he clearly adjusted in the second half. I also think he let waaaay too much time come off the clock on the last drive, I understand wanting to leave Green Bay zero time left if you score, but he let so much come off that it restricted his playcalls. We weren't on the goal line, we were on the Green Bay like, 20. It was a mistake. 

But overall, the dude has a superior grasp of game flow, play calling, and strategic calls in general. he's obviously inspired the entire roster. Things are good. I trust in Ben. 

Agree. They showed they are not a flash in the pan. Caleb looked better as the game went on. He probably had some big game jitters. You can see he's buying into the system with the out of bounds throws.  I love the direction this team is headed. 

If anything, I was most disappointed with the OL play. They did not have a good game. And obviously, the defense and defensive line specifically need to be retooled.  

[raw]

4 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

Agree. They showed they are not a flash in the pan. Caleb looked better as the game went on. He probably had some big game jitters. You can see he's buying into the system with the out of bounds throws.  I love the direction this team is headed. 

If anything, I was most disappointed with the OL play. They did not have a good game. And obviously, the defense and defensive line specifically need to be retooled.  

Fun thing about the DL, you can't really do much with it! Sweat, Dayo and Jarrett are contracts you can't cut (with any savings) or trade away for someone else to take on. So those 3 are set. Dexter, Turner, and Booker are on rookie deals, so you might as well keep them around for cheap. You can upgrade on the FAs/back of the roster types like Dom Rob, Tryon-Shoyinka, Hardy, Billings, Chris Williams...but the first 6 I named are going to get snaps. 

You can go crazy and add rookies early in the draft to boost this group, but you won't be picking in the blue chip prospect area of the draft. That's why I say you have to go big, either DE or DT and hope that 1 stud player makes everyone else better on the DL. Drafting a couple guys may take too long to develop. Not that the Bears have a small window overall if Caleb and Ben are the truth, but the rookie QB contract window is small, and this year has shown you are ready to make a run if you shore up the pass rush (and get some injury luck).

[The_Achiever]

2-2 probably gets us into the 'yoffs?  Gotta have that Cleveland game and Detroit outside @ home doesn't scare me.  

Gotta get payback on Green Bay too.  First things first, need to take care of business next week against Cleveland.  

[UMFan83]

14 minutes ago, The_Achiever said:

2-2 probably gets us into the 'yoffs?  Gotta have that Cleveland game and Detroit outside @ home doesn't scare me.  

Gotta get payback on Green Bay too.  First things first, need to take care of business next week against Cleveland.  

Maybe...depends on who the 2 wins are against.  We're in a unique situation where we play all 3 of the teams we're somewhat competing for a playoff spot with in the last 4 games.  We're currently 0.5 GB one of them, tied with another, and a game ahead of the 3rd team. 

FWIW not sure how accurate this site is but, it gives the following playoff odds based on the number of remaining Bears wins:

0-4: 0%

1-3: 29%

2-2: 91%

3-1: 99.9%

4-0: 100%

No way they can make it at 9-8 at this point since they'd be be giving 10th wins to the Packers and 49ers and 9th win and the tiebreaker to the Lions.

Edited December 8, 2025 by UMFan83

[Derwood]

Cleveland's record is terrible, but we know their defense is solid and we've seen Sanders put up big passing numbers (and we have no pass rush and ass secondary right now). 

Might be closer than we'd like

[Rex Buckingham]

3 minutes ago, Derwood said:

Cleveland's record is terrible, but we know their defense is solid and we've seen Sanders put up big passing numbers (and we have no pass rush and ass secondary right now). 

Might be closer than we'd like

I feel pretty confident Sanders will have 2+ turnovers against this defense