MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (670 The Score) — The Bears came up short against the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, falling 29-22 when they gave up a late touchdown after rallying from down 18 points early. Here are the observations from Minneapolis.
Reality check
The Bears' performance Sunday was the best look yet this season of who they can be.
The Bears are an inconsistent bunch that will fight to the finish each game while they also lack the talent to keep pace with better opponents like the Vikings. Coach Matt Eberflus and his staff can be keen with their in-game adjustments, second-year quarterback Justin Fields can create plays within the flow of offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's scheme and the hope is for continued growth.
There will be highlights along the way, like receiver Darnell Mooney's spectacular one-handed catch, but the Bears can also struggle for long stretches – like on the Vikings' first three possessions Sunday.
The Bears' performance as a whole reminded us of their youth but also the heart on the roster. Their response after a poor start Sunday should be the type of play that's expected from them.
What's most important is the development of their youngsters. That starts with Fields, who had his best game of the season by going 15-of-21 for 208 yards and a touchdown while adding eight rushes for 47 yards.
Fields explained that Sunday was the most comfortable he had felt this season, and it showed in his play. He allowed routes to present themselves in coverage, led his targets away from defenders better and was decisive in his reads.
"When I first got here, you see big guys flying around, D-linemen going fast, you just think you have to speed everything up," Fields said. "I'm just starting to figure out that you got to play within your own rhythm."
If Fields can play with the same poise and confidence he showed Sunday, his sophomore year in the league can be a success even as there's bound to be miscues around him, such as receiver Dante Pettis' three drops and the offensive line's breakdowns in protection.
While quick turnarounds are possible — the Giants look to be a playoff contender amid a 4-1 start under first-year coach Brian Daboll and first-year general manager Joe Schoen — these Bears weren't designed to reach the postseason. Chicago is a team in transition under the watch of first-year coach Matt Eberflus and first-year general manager Ryan Poles. Since they arrived, this has always been meant to be a season of development. The growing pains are part of the process, and they were on display Sunday in an uneven performance.
Gut vs. feel
As he built out his staff at Halas Hall, Eberflus sought to prioritize analytics. Like Poles, he believes in using numbers to guide decisions while also trusting his own instincts within a game.
On Sunday, Eberflus showed a sample of that approach as he coached with calculated aggression. The Bears had just scored a touchdown to cut their deficit to 21-16 when Eberflus elected for a surprise onside kick with 10:24 left in the third quarter. The Vikings recovered but came away empty after a blocked field-goal attempt.
The onside kick was a decision based off scenarios drawn up last Tuesday, Eberflus said. To make the gamble, those situations had to present themselves properly in the game flow and be approved by the analytics crew. Eberflus felt the Bears could turn the game in their favor but was also prepared for the chance that the Vikings recovered.
Before kicker Cairo Santos booted the onside kick, Eberflus approached the Bears' defense and informed them of his plan.
"It set up perfectly," Eberflus said. "When we do something like that, I told the entire defense, 'Listen, we're going for this. And there's a chance we don't get it. But listen, I want you to respond to this if we don't get it. Sudden change, you respond to it.' And they all did. They responded, they rose up there and they ended up blocking the field goal. To me, it was a wash."
Eberflus also elected to go for a key fourth-and-4 from the Vikings' 37-yard line late in the third quarter, with Fields tucking the football and running seven yards for the first down. It set up an important field goal by Santos. Eberflus cited the analytics as part of that decision.
'Spark'
There may not be a better catch in Bears history than the one Mooney made late in the first half Sunday.
It also proved to be the catalyst for the Bears' comeback, setting up their first touchdown and altering the momentum of the game.
"I feel like if it's in my vicinity, whether it's two hands or one hand, I got to catch the ball," Mooney said of his catch.
"My job is to be a playmaker at all times. Whenever I get the ball, I got to do whatever I can to create a spark."
Mooney's catch also made up for a missed opportunity on the Bears' opening drive. Fields attempted to throw Mooney open toward the front pylon of the end zone. Mooney didn't react to the change required in his route.
"In that situation, we were close to the end zone," Fields said. "I was trying to put it more back-shoulder, especially since the defender was inside. Of course I didn't want to leave it inside where it would be a turnover. So, just missed that one. Just got to be on the same page."
Extra points
-- Privately, the Bears envision their potential new home in Arlington Heights resembling the structure and atmosphere of U.S. Bank Stadium. Here's hoping they get it right, because the Vikings have quite the home field. There may not be a better place to watch an NFL game.
-- Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins started 17-of-17 for 176 yards on Minnesota's first three possessions. The Bears made him look like a superstar. Cousins threw 41 passes Sunday, and none were into a tight window of one yard or fewer in separation, according to ESPN. That had never happened since NFL Next Gen Stats began in 2016.
-- The Bears struggled to effectively run the ball, massing 78 yards on 24 carries. They'd be better off by making backup running back Khalil Herbert more of a factor.
-- Fields was credited with a touchdown pass when he dropped off the football to motioning receiver Velus Jones Jr., who ran nine yards for a score in the third quarter. Fields deserved a break in the stat line, even if it wasn't a true throw.
-- When Bears cornerback Kindle Vildor made his first career interception in the fourth quarter, it was because of an adjustment. Chicago's defense had been picked apart by bootleg plenty in recent weeks. Vildor recognized that coming from Cousins and jumped the route to receiver Adam Thielen.
-- Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette simply has to get out of bounds on the late play in which he fumbled, which sealed the Vikings' win.
-- That was the first time Chicago played in Minneapolis prior to Nov. 30 since 2006. It's quite a lovely city when it isn't frozen over.
-- Who's ready for Bears-Commanders on Thursday night? Don't act like you won't watch it. You will.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
Listen live to 670 The Score via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker
