The Chicago Bears had high hopes entering this season. The NFC North was hypothetically wide open, and the Bears had plenty of cap space to add players to their roster, and they did so by bringing in wide receiver DJ Moore and linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. This was supposed to be a great year for the Bears.
Instead, the Bears find themselves sitting in last place in the NFC North with a 0-2 record.
They lost 38-20 to the rival Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Standing in front of them in Week 2 was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were 1-0 on the season after a shocking win over the Minnesota Vikings. Now, the Bears look like a team that will be in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft for the second year in a row.
Here are three Bears to blame for their 27-17 loss to the Buccaneers.
Bears most to blame for Week 2 loss vs Bucs: No. 3 HC Matt Eberflus
Let's start things off with the head coach, Matt Eberflus. Obviously, he is the figurehead for when the team is performing well or playing poorly.
This week, Eberflus served as the team's defensive coordinator with Alan Williams out indefinitely due to personal reasons. With that, it was an extra responsibility for the head coach. And as the defensive play-caller, he oversaw the team get torched by the Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield.
In the game, Mayfield completed all but eight of his 34 pass attempts for 321 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Mike Evans was his main beneficiary, as he caught six-of-eight targets for 171 yards.
Overall, Chicago allowed 437 yards of total offense on 68 plays (6.4 yards per play) to Tampa Bay. This was the very team that was held to just 242 yards on 68 plays by the Minnesota Vikings the week before. Not to mention. the Bucs were 8-for-15 on third down plays.
As FOX Sports' Curt Menefee points out, the Bears have now lost 12 straight games, and they surrendered over 25 points in each of them. Michael Strahan chimed in "and they loaded up on defense," followed up by Howie Long saying, "and they have a defensive head coach."
Yes, the defense was bitten by the injury bug, but they can't win games surrendering over 400 yards and 25+ points.
Bears most to blame for Week 2 loss vs Bucs: No. 2 OC Luke Getsy
Now, we move on to the offense, which once again underperformed under coordinator Luke Getsy.
The Bears were only able to pick up 236 yards of total offense on Sunday afternoon on 51 plays (4.6 yards per play. One of the main complaints from Bears fans has been his propensity to call screen plays. Sure enough, one of those screen passes cost the Bears a chance at a win.
In the fourth quarter, on their six-yard line, quarterback Justin Fields was backed into the end zone and attempted a pass to running back Khalil Herbert, who was just behind the line of scrimmage. That play call turned out to be dangerous, as Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett picked off the pass from Fields and ran into the end zone for the touchdown, thus extending their lead to 27-17.
The Bears' offense needs to step up, and quickly, before the fans give up on the season. Specifically, those who haven't given up already. Getsy will have a tough task ahead of him, as he will have to try and keep up with the Kansas City Chiefs next week.
Bears most to blame for Week 2 loss vs Bucs: No. 1 QB Justin Fields
Now we get to quarterback Justin Fields. This was supposed to be the year in which he took that next step to become one of the top quarterbacks in the NFC. He showed promise last season with no playmakers to throw to and a lackluster offensive line. This offseason, they brought in DJ Moore as his top pass catcher and drafted a right tackle in Darnell Wright with their first-round pick.
In Week 1, Fields threw for just 216 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while completing 24-of-37 pass attempts against the Green Bay Packers. This weekend, it was more of the same for Fields, albeit with an extra interception thrown.
On the previous page, we covered the ill-fated screen pass deep in their end zone that resulted in a pick-six by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett. Then there was the other interception on the following drive. Fields threw a pass intended for wide receiver Chase Claypool. The problem was, he forced it to Claypool, who was surrounded by three Buccaneers defenders. The ball was tipped in the air and secured by Christian Izien.
Fields completed 16-of-29 pass attempts for 211 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He was sacked six times for a loss of 42 yards. One of those sacks happened on a play in which there was a receiver wide open downfield.
There is still plenty of time. remaining this season for Field and the Bears to turn things around. If not, we could very well be discussing the possibility of Caleb Williams being a Chicago Bear if the team gets the first overall pick.
