CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Bears receiver Darnell Mooney came up just inches shy of the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute Thursday night as his team lost 12-7 to the Commanders in a primetime game at Soldier Field.
Here are the observations from the Bears' hard-luck loss.
Just missed
One play changed the course of the game. It was one to look back upon and think of how close it was – that throw to the right side of the end zone.
No, it wasn't the fourth-down completion to Mooney that nearly gave the Bears a late victory. It came in the second quarter on a second-and-goal play from the 3-yard line. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy drew up a wonderful design on a fake end-around that included tight end Ryan Griffin breaking off his block and getting himself a one-on-one with a defensive lineman chasing from behind.
Quarterback Justin Fields just overshot Griffin on what should've been an easy touchdown pass. He put a bit too much on the pass and misfired into the end zone. It marked the Bears' second of three empty possessions in the red zone as they went 0-for-3 in goal-to-go situations.
"I'm an NFL quarterback," Fields said. "I got to hit that."
Had Fields connected on that pass, the Bears wouldn't have needed his heroics in the final minutes. Fields had a spectacular 39-yard rush that set up the offense with first-and-goal at the 5-yard line, but it also resulted in zero points.
That miss to Griffin was an example of Fields still struggling with his rhythm. After delivering the key play-action fake that allowed the attention to turn away from Griffin, Fields rushed in a key progression and felt the need to force the throw rather than putting the right touch on it.
Earlier, Fields made a mistake in the first quarter when he fired a pass off the helmet of Commanders defensive lineman Efe Obada. It was a sharp throw that didn't need to be forced into a tight window, and the Commanders intercepted the pass as it hung in the air. The risk was unnecessary as the Bears faced second-and-goal from the 5-yard line.
Fields went 14-of-27 for 190 yards, one outstanding touchdown pass and the interception while adding 12 rushes for 88 yards. The statistics showed promise, and Fields' gutsy performance in playing through pain offered hope to his teammates.
But the Bears would've won this game if Fields hadn't missed well before that final drive.
Hats off to the defense
On the Vikings' first three possessions last Sunday in Minneapolis, they scored 21 points and racked up 245 total yards. Quarterback Kirk Cousins was 17-of-17 and star receiver Justin Jefferson was on a record pace. It was a disastrous start for the Bears that ended up costing them in a loss.
To the Bears' credit, their defense started strong Thursday and played a complete game. The Commanders managed just 43 total yards and zero points on their first three possessions, and they tallied just 214 yards on the night.
The Bears allowed the go-ahead score to Commanders running back Brian Robinson only after a special teams miscue, with rookie punt returner Velus Jones Jr. muffing a punt deep in his own territory.
Sure, the Commanders don't have the firepower of a player like Jefferson, but this was an important step forward for the Bears' defense.
Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams had an excellent and aggressive game plan, using exotic blitzes to create pressure on Wentz. He continued to disguise looks on third down that created difficulties for the Commanders.
The Bears didn't allow a play of more than 18 yards to the Commanders and gave up just seven plays of more than 10 yards. The next step for Chicago's defense will be generating a pass rush without blitzes. Through six games, the Bears have just 11 sacks.
Pass interference?
By no means did the Bears lose this game solely because of a potential missed call by the officiating crew. But there was certainly a case for pass interference on the third-and-goal play in the final minute.
Fields lofted a pass to receiver Dante Pettis, who had his right arm held by Commanders safety Darrick Forrest.
"It felt like it," Pettis said when asked if his arm was prevented from making a catch. "I mean, there's like pass interference and holding – it happens on pretty much like every play. They didn't call it. So, I guess it wasn't pass interference.
"That's what happens when you play receiver. You feel like you're getting held or whatever it is."
The Bears still had that one last chance on fourth-and-goal, but Mooney couldn't cross the plane.
No money for Mooney
As the pass from Fields approached Mooney at the goal line, Mooney said the football got lost in the lights. That's why he didn't corral the pass on first effort and only completed the catch after a bobble on the wrong side of the goal line.
"I'm literally talking to myself, like, 'Please give me this ball, give me this ball,'" Mooney said. "I just got to close the game for us. If I want to be that player, if I want to be that guy for our team, I got to make that play, for sure.
"At the end of the day, that last play, I had an opportunity to make a play. Whatever happened in the first or second quarter doesn't matter. I had a play. It came down to it. Just catch the damn ball on the first time and we win the game."
Get back soon, Hub
The best moment of Thursday night in the Soldier Field press box came with this note from colleague and friend Arthur Arkush.
Hub Arkush, who has meant so much to countless people, has been absent from the Bears beat since suffering a medical emergency at Halas Hall during training camp in August. He has made a remarkable recovery and is now back at home.
Hub still has a long road ahead, but he certainly hasn't lost his sense of humor. The Bears have kept Hub's seat open in the press box. We all can't wait to have him back.
Extra points
-- So, that game lived up to its billing. For better or worse.
-- The Bears' opening series of the game was a seven-play, six-yard drive, which ended with a punt on fourth-and-28. That set the tone.
-- Through six games, the Bears have just 11 sacks and safety Jaquan Brisker is tied for the team lead with two. The pass rush hasn't consistently generated pressure without designed blitzes. This base scheme relies on four down linemen getting to the pocket. It hasn't happened.
-- Bears running back Khalil Herbert is such a talented rusher. He showcased excellent vision and his ability to make a play when it doesn't seem available on a great 64-yard run.
-- Credit to Fields, who made an outstanding throw to Pettis for their 40-yard touchdown completion. That was the type of big play that the Bears have been missing.
-- Bears receiver N'Keal Harry wasn't ready to play a role in the offense only days after being activated from injured reserve, which is why he was a healthy scratch Thursday. His debut for Chicago will likely come Oct. 24 against his former team in New England.
-- Fields is certainly one tough customer, though the Bears have needed to say that far too often.
-- Whether you liked or hated the orange helmets, you'll see them again soon. The Bears will wear them again on Oct. 30 against the Cowboys in Dallas.
-- The mini-bye couldn't have come at a better time.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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