CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Reality greeted the Bears as they walked off Soldier Field on Sunday after the Colts showed them what a playoff team looks like in a 19-11 defeat.
But it was better than boos, which the Bears deserved but were spared in an empty stadium where too many losses like this one have taken place.
Losing to the Colts wasn’t as hard to accept as how and why it happened. Changing starting quarterbacks from Mitchell Trubisky to Nick Foles allowed coach Matt Nagy to lapse into some bad play-calling habits, abandoning the run and becoming one-dimensional.
That’s how you manage 11 measly points and only convert 4 of 14 third downs. That’s how you gain a meager 28 yards rushing – with David Montgomery carrying only 10 times for 27 yards. That’s how nearly every offensive series turned into a slog.
There was a top-five defense on the field Sunday. But it wasn’t the one wearing orange.
“That was a tough game to be a part of,’’ Nagy told reporters postgame. “We have to be able to run for more than 28 yards in a game.”
What a crummy month October already has been for Chicago sports fans, with the Bears getting beaten at home within days of the Cubs and White Sox being eliminated from the MLB playoffs. Which offense was more frustrating to watch, the Bears' or the Cubs'? Who deserves more second-guessing Monday morning, Nagy or Rick Renteria?
The only thing worse than watching the Bears offense struggle so badly would be hearing from any Tru believers trying to use an 11-point clunker as proof that Trubisky deserved to keep his job. He didn’t, so move on. Despite any rash conclusion anyone reached during Sunday’s snoozer, the Bears offense simply has more potential to stretch the field and score points with Foles once Nagy remembers how to take full advantage of what he does well.
Here’s a major difference between any conversation surrounding Foles and Trubisky. When Trubisky vowed he would improve and play at a high level after bad games, he sounded hard to believe because he really hadn’t enjoyed sustained success in the NFL. When Foles promised progress the way he did Sunday night, his words carried more credibility because of what he has accomplished.
“I have to be more crisp,’’ Foles acknowledged postgame after going 26-of-42 for 249 yards with a touchdown and interception for a 76.4 passer rating.
Agreed, Foles must look sharper than he did in his first start as a Bear, but a balanced game plan – only 16 of the Bears’ 59 offensive plays were runs – would have loosened the secondary and helped him succeed. So would having a stronger offensive line, more dependable wide receivers, less erratic special teams and a stingier defense that, through four games, has been more about reputation than results.
The Bears defense committed four penalties that led to Colts first downs and allowed rookie Jonathan Taylor to get the tough yard when necessary – which let quarterback Philip Rivers survive his sloppy day. And when Khalil Mack gets a chance to catch a gift interception off a deflected pass, he can’t let it slip through his hands.
The Bears offensive line failed to move the pile downhill, and left tackle Charles Leno Jr., in particular, can’t open up the E-Z Pass lane on the first snap of the second half the way he did for Colts pass rusher Justin Houston.
The special teams can’t give up a partially blocked punt the way the Bears did on their opening series, the surest way to deflate a football team and appear unprepared.
The wide receivers must find more ways to create separation and make a bigger impact to help Foles out. With 10:59 left and the Bears trailing 16-3, for example, Anthony Miller let what would've been a fantastic catch sail through his fingers, and it landed in the hands of Colts defensive back Julian Blackmon to stall another drive. Maybe one day Miller will come down with that catch – but not Sunday.
“I need to be more accurate,’’ Foles said. “That’s on me.’’
Enough responsibility existed to spread it around, starting as it should with Nagy. Nothing indicts a head coach more than being asked about his team coming out of the tunnel flat, a question posed to Nagy postgame. Besides wondering how mentally prepared the Bears were for this challenge, Nagy raised eyebrows with at least two other questionable calls.
On a key third-and-1 to start the fourth quarter, Foles lined up behind center – a formation the Bears had run out of four times previously – and gave the telegraphed handoff to Cordarrelle Patterson, who was stuffed for one-yard loss. Is giving the ball to a converted wide receiver in that spot the smartest decision? How long will the Bears try convincing themselves that Patterson is their best option backing up Montgomery at running back?
Blame desperation on the other Nagy head-scratcher, going for it on fourth-and-2 from the Bears’ 28-yard line with 12:32 left and his team down 16-3. The risk paid off when Montgomery drew a pass interference call on a deep sideline route, but it was a risky move followed by an even riskier play-call. It did little to inspire confidence in the overall plan.
And yet, Nagy and the Bears will report Monday to Halas Hall with a 3-1 record and ample reason to feel optimistic about making an expanded playoff field.
Go ahead and believe that as long as you don’t forget this: After the first quarter of the season, the Bears’ biggest strength is their schedule.
They’ve really beaten nobody. And more somebodies loom starting Thursday with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers visiting Soldier Field.
The Bears’ best must get better, fast.
David Haugh is the co-host of the Mully & Haugh Show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on 670 The Score. Click here to listen. Follow him on Twitter @DavidHaugh.