CHICAGO (670 The Score) — Behind rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent, the Bears earned a 30-12 win against the Raiders on Sunday, snapping a 10-game home losing streak at Soldier Field while improving to 2-5. Here are the observations from the Bears' victory.
Bagent thrives in comfortable scheme
Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy knew exactly how his scheme should look Sunday for an undrafted rookie quarterback making his first NFL start.
"I feel like that’s a staple of how I’ve always tried to play quarterback,” Bagent said. “Just getting the ball out of your hands and then just try to combine that with making really good decisions.
“We’re valuing the ball, trying to be plus-two in (the turnover margin) like coach Flus preaches to us every week. I just had that in the back of my head all week. Like, hey, if it’s not there, play the next play. End every drive with a kick, which we were able to do today."
That's the style the Bears want to utilize. They want a steady rushing attack on offense, a quarterback who makes quick decisions and a defense that plays complementary football.
Getsy has struggled to cater his offense to starting quarterback Justin Fields' strengths, and Fields in turn has had issues in processing and making quick decisions. There has been a clear disconnect between how Getsy wants his offense to be operated by Fields and what Fields wants of Getsy in a play-caller. On Sunday, Bagent displayed comfort in the scheme as the Bears produced 323 yards of offense and controlled the game from start to finish.
Getsy first got a sense for Bagent’s skills back in January, when he served as the head coach of the American team in the Senior Bowl. Bagent, a standout out of Division-II Shepherd University, showcased his ability to play against better competition and to operate an NFL offense.
Bagent made a strong impression on Getsy and the Bears during his week in Mobile, Alabama, which led to him signing with Chicago after he went undrafted.
“The processing part of it,” Getsy said recently of what has stood out about Bagent. “He’s played a lot of ball in college, threw the ball all over the yard, so he’s an obvious passer of the football.”
Bagent went 21-of-29 for 162 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers in the win Sunday. He worked well with veteran running back D’Onta Foreman, who rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns while also hauling in a receiving score.
After an opening three-and-out in which Foreman lamented a bad drop on third down, Bagent and the Bears sustained long drives and controlled the game on offense. It was a methodical performance by Bagent and the Bears, but it's unclear whether it will get the chance to be replicated in what's been a strange season in Chicago.
Coach Matt Eberflus made it clear after the game that Fields will remain the Bears’ starting quarterback once he’s cleared to return from his right thumb injury. Fields has avoided surgery and the swelling in his thumb has reduced, so he could be trending toward a return when the Bears visit the Chargers next Sunday.
It’s the right move to keep Fields in place as the starter, because the Bears need all the information they can get on Fields as they determine his future with the organization and whether he warrants a long-term extension. But whenever the Bears turn back to Fields, Getsy needs to institute a game plan that better suits his starter.
Show him the money
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is never shy about speaking his mind.
After hauling in a pair of interceptions in the win Sunday, the 24-year-old Johnson welcomed the conversation about his future as he plays in the final season of his contract and seeks an extension that hasn't come yet.
“I’ve been wanting to get to the table,” Johnson said. “I know who I am. I know I can play this game at a high level, and I feel like I deserve to get paid like that.”
Johnson entered Sunday with just one interception in 43 career NFL games. He hauled in two picks in a stellar performance that reminded everyone of how important he is for Chicago's defense.
Johnson has been open about the possibility that he could be traded. It shouldn’t come to that. The Bears need to secure Johnson as part of their future.
“I mean, the value is going up for sure,” Johnson said.
End of the first half
The Bears' final plays of the first half reminded of why they entered Sunday as a 1-5 team.
The Bears led 14-3 and had first-and-10 from their own 21-yard line with the chance to drive for more points with 1:43 remaining before halftime. But with less than a minute to go, Eberflus and his coaching staff seemed unsure of whether they wanted to attempt to aggressively move downfield or conservatively run out the clock. They got caught in between as Eberflus kept all three of the Bears' timeouts in his pocket.
After the Bears had reached their own 42-yard line, a holding call on tackle Larry Borom with 53 seconds left seemed to shift Eberflus back into clock-killing mode instead of displaying trust in his offense. Then after Bagent hit a third-and-7 throw to receiver DJ Moore for a 15-yard gain to the Las Vegas 47-yard line with 19 seconds remaining, Chicago suddenly moved back into an aggressive mode.
Bagent’s ensuing pass to running back Darrynton Evans was knocked down at the line. He was sacked on second down as Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby got to him. On third-and-17, Bagent missed a throw to rookie receiver Tyler Scott.
Then came a fourth-down play that FOX Sports analyst Mark Sanchez best described as “Oh, boy.”
Reserve quarterback Nathan Peterman stepped in for Bagent for the Hail Mary pass as the Bears believe Peterman has the better arm strength. That change came after the Raiders called a timeout, allowing Eberflus to change his mind on the quarterback. Peterman was drilled as he scrambled to the left and fumbled the football out of bounds.
It was a bad moment for Eberflus, one of indecision and poor game management. Fortunately, it didn’t matter in the end.
Extra points
-- The Bears’ defense has allowed 20 points or fewer in its last three games after surrendering 25 points or more in 14 straight games. It's been a strong turnaround for the defense, with Eberflus’ change in style as a play-caller helping guide the unit to more success.
-- Bears rookie offensive tackle Darnell Wright played admirably and held his own against the Pro Bowl pass rusher Crosby, who had just one sack in the game as he broke inside on an extended play and got to Bagent.
-- Moore wasn't the only wide receiver the Bears got involved in the offense. Darnell Mooney had four receptions for 32 yards, while the rookie Scott was more involved with two catches for 19 yards and two carries for 14 yards.
-- That could’ve been the Davante Adams game for the Raiders. He had three receptions on the Raiders' opening drive but finished with just seven catches for 57 yards.
-- There are few better uniform matchups in football than the Bears’ navy and orange trim against the Raiders’ silver and black.
-- The music was blaring in the Bears’ locker room after this win. Is “Club Dub” back?
-- It remains to be seen what the rest of Bagent’s career holds, but he sure looked impressive in his first NFL start.
-- I'd forgotten what it looks like to watch a Bears victory at Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.