CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- A week after suffering one of their ugliest losses in recent memory, the Bears bounced back with a 24-14 win against the Lions on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. Here are the observations from the victory.
New role for Nagy
When the Bears won the coin toss against the Lions, they deviated from their typical approach. Rather than deferring to the second half, they elected to receive the opening kickoff. The Bears wanted to get right into their offense and put the prior week behind them.
When Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields led the offense out to the Lions’ 25-yard line, coach Matt Nagy wasn't looking down at his play card. He was instead looking toward the field of play as offensive coordinator Bill Lazor called for 13 personnel (three tight ends, one receiver). It marked a change for the Bears after Nagy served as the play-caller for the team's first three games.
This time, Lazor called the Bears’ offensive plays and committed to the running game, with Chicago rushing 39 times for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Nagy focused on his role as the head coach and leader of the team. It’s what’s best for him and the Bears.
Nagy has seemed to view the optics of him relinquishing play-calling as a negative, as he refused to acknowledge the change last week. After finally conceding in his postgame press conference Sunday that he made a change, Nagy added it would be the last time he discusses the matter publicly.
Calling plays is clearly a point of great pride for Nagy, but the reality is he and the Bears are better when he focuses on being a head coach. It allows Nagy to better understand his team and make decisions throughout a fast-paced game. And it lets Lazor have more authority as the team’s offensive coordinator.
The Bears averaged 6.3 plays and 41.1 yards per drive Sunday when tossing out their one-play, three-yard drive to end the first half. The Bears were more dynamic too, with seven plays going for more than 20 yards, including a 64-yard completion from Fields to receiver Darnell Mooney. Much of that success came after setting up the passing attack through a dedicated ground game, something Nagy hasn't brought to the Bears as when serving as their play-caller.
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Lazor also oversaw a game plan that better-suited Fields' strengths after Nagy put him in difficult positions in the ugly loss to the Browns on Sept. 26. The Bears were balanced offensively and made it a point to better protect Fields, who was only sacked once after the Browns took him down nine times.
It may hurt Nagy’s pride to give up calling plays for the Bears, but it shouldn’t sting if he’s adding wins to his coaching record.
Quinn’s bounce-back
I was wrong about Bears pass rusher Robert Quinn, who began his age-31 season – and the second of his five-year contract – with questions about his durability and ability to produce at a high level. Following a 2020 season in which he registered just two sacks, the skepticism was warranted.
In four games, Quinn has 4.5 sacks on nine registered pressures. In 2020, he had 16 pressures in 15 games. After the Bears' win Sunday, Quinn referenced a soul-searching process this past offseason that has him in a much better place now.
Credit to Quinn, who has given the Bears everything they had hoped for so far this season.
Running on empty?
After a game in which the Bears established the run, it seems they could be down their top three running backs.
David Montgomey left in the fourth quarter with a left knee injury after a five-yard carry that gave him 106 yards for the game. The Bears hope it isn't a serious injury, but it appeared to be one that that will require him to miss time. Backup running back Damien Williams, who carried eight times for 55 yards and a touchdown, left with a quad injury.
The Bears can't activate Tarik Cohen from the physically-unable-to-perform list until after their game against the Packers on Oct. 17. That leaves rookie Khalil Herbert as the only healthy running back on the active roster.
Extra points
-- Both of these statements can be true: The Bears played much better football Sunday, and the Lions are very bad. But don’t let Detroit's struggles take away from a more rounded performance from Chicago. Especially with a tough four-game stretch looming against the Raiders, Packers, Buccaneers and 49ers, the Bears need to enjoy this win while they can.
-- Congratulations to Bears defensive lineman Bilal Nichols on the easiest takeaway he'll ever have in his entire career. It’s not often the ball literally lands in your hands the way it did on the botched snap to Lions quarterback Jared Goff.
-- When was the last time Soldier Field celebrated a throw like Fields made in the first quarter Sunday? He dropped back and unleashed a pass that traveled 48 yards in the air on the eventual 64-yard gain for Mooney. It was a dime.
-- But was that even Fields’ best throw of the day? In the third quarter, he absolutely pinpointed a pass to receiver Allen Robinson down the right sideline. He threw it where only Robinson could reach him and allowed him enough room to stay inbounds.
-- The Bears are awaiting news on defensive lineman Akiem Hicks' groin injury. After exiting following Chicago's first defensive snap Sunday, he appeared to realize right away he wouldn't return. Hicks looked stunned and disheartened on the sideline.
-- Did the Bears develop an offensive identity? We’ll get a better understanding of that in these next several games, but they at least showed progress Sunday.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.