In a 51-23 loss, perhaps we should quickly go over what went right for the Chicago Bears against the New England Patriots. Matt Forte had another good game, rushing for 114 yards and catching a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jay Cutler in the first half. Then Martellus Bennett had an impressive touchdown grab on the Bears' second score, making a grab in the end zone while essentially being tackled by a defender.
Bears vs. Patriots final score: 3 things we learned from Chicago’s humiliation
The Patriots embarrassed the Bears on Sunday, leaving Chicago in a serious existential crisis.
Jim Rogash
Outside of those couple plays, there is no way to discuss the game as anything other than a complete disaster for Chicago. Tom Brady and the Patriots were in a league above the Bears. Brady had five touchdown passes as part of 30-for-35 passing, 354-yard, five-touchdown performance. His most productive target was, unsurprisingly, Rob Gronkowski, who tied a career high with nine receptions, which he effectively used for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
The game could have been even more lopsided. The first half was perhaps the ugliest in Bears history. The Patriots scored 38 points before intermission, which was the most ever given up by the Bears in a first half. Jay Cutler committed his 11th and 12th turnovers of the season. A sack late in the second quarter created a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Rob Ninkovich.
The Patriots scored on their first six possessions of the game, and did not punt until 4:53 remained in the third quarter. They outgained the Bears 487 to 384 total yards. This was perhaps as complete a domination as we have seen this season.
Three things:
1) The Patriots are definitely good ...
It seems quaint that just a few weeks ago there was talk of benching Brady. The veteran was outstanding once again, as were his receiving options. Gronkowski's return to form has had an immeasurably positive impact on the Patriots' offense, as has the emergence of Brandon LaFell as a reliable big play receiver.
If not for yards given up late, the Pats' defense may very well have held the Bears below 300 yards of offense. Darrelle Revis made big plays against Brandon Marshall, who was held to three receptions for 35 yards. The front seven was outstanding, pressuring Cutler into mistakes throughout the game.
This was perhaps the Pats’ most complete game of the season.
2) ... but this game was just as much about the Bears imploding
Jay Cutler was held in check until late in the game, and still has a turnover bug. There is no excuse for wide receivers to continue to drop passes, however, nor for a revamped front seven to be so inexplicably bad. Gronkowski’s third touchdown reception perfectly encapsulated the game. Just look at the time Brady has to find the wide open tight end:
Yeah the Patriots made plays, but the Bears failed to do the simple things that separate a bad team from competency. The Bears are in serious trouble going forward.
3) Thank goodness the Bears have Matt Forte
For all of the struggles of Cutler and the Bears’ offensive line, it’s a wonder that Forte can still be as good as he is. The running back average 6.0 yards per carry on his way to 114 yards rushing on 19 attempts. He had 54 yards and a touchdown on six receptions. He has been the only consistently good thing going for the Bears on a week to week basis, and he deserves full recognition for his efforts.
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