(670 The Score) Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has offered a message of encouragement to his players amid the team's 1-2 start to the season.
That was even the case on Sunday following the Bears’ disappointing 21-16 loss to the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Eberflus sees his team improving offensively – and getting closer to complementing a stout defense – but veteran tight end Cole Kmet is having a hard time accepting just progress.
“When you drop two in the NFL, that's adversity,” Kmet said. “So, we have dropped two in a row here. Offensively, we haven't played up to the standard that we wanted to yet. I think it has gotten better each game.
“(But) we're being real, right now, better is not good enough. We got to be better. We got to be much better if we want to win these games.”
The Bears made progress offensively Sunday by posting a season-best 395 total yards. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was 33-of-52 for 363 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
But the Bears’ numbers were inflated by sheer volume. Chicago ran 84 plays but averaged just 4.7 yards per play. The running game remains a problem, having logged 28 carries for just 63 yards in the loss to the Colts. Veteran running back D’Andre Swift carried 13 times for 20 yards.
Despite losing a game that was winnable, Eberflus told the Bears afterward that he’s hopeful.
"This is our third game, and there was some positivity to take out of this,” Eberfus said. “We're encouraged. We're encouraged. In that locker room, we are encouraged. We'll have our head moving forward, eyes moving forward and we're going to get better this week."
The Bears (1-2) host the Rams (1-2) on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.