CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Even when the Bears finally got a bounce they needed, it still wasn’t enough.
The Bears lost 30-27 to the Vikings in overtime Sunday at Soldier Field after erasing an 11-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation with the help of a successful onside kick. It marked Chicago’s fifth straight loss. Here are the observations from Soldier Field.
Finally on the offensive
New offensive coordinator Thomas Brown can’t save the Bears’ lost season, but he’s giving rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a greater chance to have success, and that’s paramount moving forward.
Williams was 32-of-47 for 340 yards, two touchdowns and a 103.1 passer rating Sunday while playing turnover-free football. The Bears posted 398 yards of offense (5.5 yards per play) after logging 391 yards in Brown’s debut as Chicago’s play-caller a week prior. In former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron’s final game before his firing, the Bears had just 142 yards of offense in an ugly loss to the Patriots.
Brown’s scheme has utilized route concepts that have created clear openings for Williams to make quicker decisions.
On Sunday, Williams was sacked three times against a Vikings defense that led the NFL in pressure rate entering the day. The matchup could’ve posed disaster for Williams and the Bears offense. Instead, he nearly aced a tough test.
Veteran receiver Keenan Allen had nine catches as he was utilized well as a safety valve for Williams. Top receiver DJ Moore had seven receptions for 106 yards. Allen and Moore each had touchdown receptions from Williams, who snapped a four-game streak without a touchdown pass.
Brown has also prioritized rookie receiver Rome Odunze and tight end Cole Kmet in a way that Waldron didn’t. Most importantly, the connection between Williams and Brown is clear.
"He has a certain aura to him that he just allows you to play free,” Williams said. “He knows what he wants. You know he knows what he wants.
Whether it's checks, alerts, all of that, we still have a bunch of those, all these different things. Being able to play free.
“When it's time to be Superman, that is what he tells me in the headset – 'go be Superman at the end of the game.'"
One of Brown’s best characteristics in leading the Bears’ offense is that he’s focused on his players’ strengths, not particular plays, although he’s also running much of Waldron’s scheme.
Brown, who previously worked as the Bears’ passing game coordinator, was asked if this offense would look different in 2025.
“I wish I had the luxury of thinking about next year,” he replied.
Brown wasn’t specifically referencing head coach Matt Eberflus’ job security with that comment, but there’s a fair chance he isn’t the Bears’ offensive coordinator next season. A head coaching change would likely bring Williams a third play-caller in his second season.
Perhaps this season would’ve been different if Eberflus had hired Brown instead of Waldron as the Bears’ offensive coordinator back in January. Whatever the case, Williams’ development is what’s most significant, and the Bears finally have the right play-caller to guide him forward.
Defense falters
The Bears relied on a stout defense early this season, allowing just 17.0 points per game while starting 4-3. In the four contests since, Chicago has allowed 24.5 points per game.
The Bears felt they had one of the best defenses in the NFL, but lately, it’s a struggling unit that isn’t giving the team its best chance to win.
The Vikings gashed the Bears for 452 yards of offense Sunday, averaging 7.0 yards per play. It started on Minnesota’s first drive as running back Aaron Jones caught Chicago cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on skates and broke free for a 41-yard run.
Jones carried 22 times for 106 yards and a score. Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Minnesota had seven plays of 20 yards or more, including three plays for more than 40 yards.
With the Bears needing a stop in overtime, they allowed a 10-play, 68-yard drive that set up kicker John Parker Romo for the game-winning 29-yard field goal. Darnold hit tight end T.J. Hockenson for a 22-yard strike that set up Romo’s kick.
Once again, the Bears defense didn’t have an answer.
Gone streaking again
In each of the past six seasons now, the Bears have had a losing streak of at least four games. Their ongoing five-game losing slide marks the fourth time in the last five seasons that they’ve lost at least five straight games.
Long losing streaks have been far too common for the Bears, who are desperate to snap their current skid.
Extra points
--- For the first time in 11 games this season, the Bears scored first. Running back Roschon Johnson’s one-yard touchdown run helped Chicago grab a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
--- Which throw was better? Was it Williams’ 39-yard strike through two defenders that found Allen or his rollout to the right and 30-yard loft into the hands of running back D’Andre Swift?
--- In blocking a field-goal attempt, the Vikings exploited the same protection gaffe the Packers saw in the Bears’ offensive line. Minnesota lined up three defenders on long snapper Scott Daly and left guard Matt Pryor, and then another low line drive from Santos was swatted down.
--- How about a little appreciation for Bears nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon? He’s constantly getting to the football and is never short on hustle. He’s a really impressive football player at an important position.
--- If you don’t understand why the Bears went for the two-point conversion attempt when they scored a touchdown to cut their deficit to 24-16, Google the analytical reasoning behind it. Eberflus and his staff made the right call.
--- For a moment, it seemed the Bears had a thrilling victory in the works. Instead, it was another excruciating last-play loss.
--- What a miserable season this has become. The 10-1 Lions await next as six games remain in the Bears’ season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.