GREEN BAY, Wis. (670 The Score) — The Bears’ five-game winning streak came to an end Sunday with a loss in a familiar place — Lambeau Field. The rival Packers earned a 28-21 win to stop the Bears' recent surge.
The Bears struggled early on offense and had significant breakdowns on defense but rallied in the second half and were 14 yards away from potentially tying or winning the game in the final minute. Here are the observations from Green Bay.
No moral victories
The path to and from the press box at Lambeau Field takes you to the northeast corner of the stadium bowels, along a staircase to a small ramp over the concourse and on a long walk wrapping around the north end to the east side.
Along that walk, media members and team coaches/executives who work from the press box can hear the loud cheers echoing from the Packers faithful.
“Bears still suck,” the Packers fans chant after each win over their rival.
The chant landed differently on this Sunday, because the Bears (9-4) don't suck these days. They were genuinely right there against the Packers (9-3-1) in a battle in which first place in the NFC North was on the line. But if the Bears are going to win the division and make a deep playoff run, they have to be better.
The Bears, who trailed 14-3 at halftime, had just 71 yards of offense at the break and punted on four of their first five possessions. Their offense was sloppy and disjointed early on, forcing them to play from behind almost the entire day.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson didn’t have his best day as a play-caller. A running game that has been such a strength didn't get going in the first half, and quarterback Caleb Williams was 6-of-14 for 32 yards in the first two quarters. There’s a lot to clean up, starting with a better game plan.
The Bears started having success on offense in the second half. This coaching staff has proved to be excellent at making halftime adjustments, and that trait was on display once again. The Bears' physical running game began to wear down the Packers’ defense, as it has against previous opponents. The problem was that Packers quarterback Jordan Love continued picking apart the Bears’ defense.
Sunday wasn't the first time the Bears have played an inconsistent brand of football this season, but teams of the Packers' caliber don’t let you get away with it like lesser opponents have.
If the Bears fancy themselves as a championship contender – and the belief in that locker room is strong – then such a disjointed performance can't be acceptable.
The mood inside the cramped visitors’ locker room at Lambeau Field was upbeat. The Bears understood how close they were to earning a win to remain atop the standings. They also recognize the significance of the looming rematch against the Packers, which will come on Dec. 20 at Soldier Field.
The Bears can be better than they were Sunday. They know that well.
Gordon goes down again
Leading up to the 3:25 p.m. kickoff at Lambeau Field, the Bears found out they were down one of their most important players on defense. Nickelback Kyler Gordon suffered a groin injury during pregame warmups.
The Bears turned to defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Gordon’s spot. He had an interception in the first quarter but also struggled at times.
“Kyler is a really good player, and we’re better when he’s out on the field,” Johnson said. “You do miss that.”
Had Gordon been matched up against Packers receiver Christian Watson in the third quarter, perhaps Love doesn’t change the play at the line of scrimmage into a slant route and deliver that 41-yard pitch-and-catch touchdown to Watson. As it played out, Gardner-Johnson was chasing Watson the whole way on that pivotal play.
Gordon has a troubling history with soft-tissue leg injuries. He has missed 10 games this season due to three different injuries. He has been plagued by calf, hamstring and groin ailments.
Injuries happen in this violent game, but Gordon's repeated setbacks are concerning. They certainly aren’t supposed to happen in pregame warmups.
No DJ?
With Bears leading receiver Rome Odunze sidelined due to a stress fracture in his foot, it seemed like receiver DJ Moore would be a go-to target Sunday. It didn't turn out to be that way.
Moore had one reception on just three targets, hauling in a pass for negative-4 yards. While it was promising to see a pair of Bears rookies in receiver Luther Burden III and tight end Colston Loveland get involved, Moore's lack of opportunity was troubling.
That falls in large part on Williams, who often moved away from a primary read like Moore. And for a play-caller like Johnson, Moore and his skill set need to be used better.
Extra points
--- It had been far too long since these Bears-Packers games carried such big significance. Sunday met its billing as a terrific football game.
--- Bears kicker Cairo Santos’ botched kickoff late in the first half proved to be costly. It set up the Packers at their own 40-yard line, and it took them just four plays to reach the end zone and take a 14-3 lead. Santos wants that one back.
--- The way the Bears responded in the second half was notable. They have fight and resiliency, and that showed even in a loss.
--- Rookie running back Kyle Monangai runs so damn hard. He had 14 carries for 57 yards Sunday.
--- The Bears' 17-play, 83-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter was beautiful. It was an example of how the Bears can just grind away at an opponent with their physicality.
--- If Williams throws that ball to Kmet a second earlier on the game-deciding fourth-and-1 play in the final minute, that’s a touchdown and the Bears are likely setting up for a go-ahead two-point conversion.
--- That postgame handshake between Johnson and Packers counterpart Matt LaFleur was quite brief. The two don't like each other.
--- The Bears will host the Browns (3-10) on Sunday, while the Packers will face the Broncos (11-2) on the road in Denver. Chicago may be back in first place in the NFC North when these two teams play again on Dec. 20.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.