3 Takeaways from the Bears 27-17 Loss to the Buccaneers
After an atrocious Week 1, the Chicago Bears needed a bounce-back performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That did not happen, as the Bears struggled mightily on offense and defense throughout the game. Ultimately allowing 437 total yards and 27 points to the Buccaneers while only gaining 236 total yards and 17 points themselves. This discrepancy in yards and points is due to a lack of execution by the Bears. These are the three biggest takeaways from that lack of execution.
Defense has trouble finishing plays
Photo Credit: Chicago Bears
One of the biggest issues the Bears' defense had in the loss to the Buccaneers was not finishing plays. This issue started on the game's first drive with a dropped interception by safety Jaquan Brisker. Brisker's inability to capitalize on that opportunity gave the Buccanneers a chance to continue a drive that ultimately ended with them kicking a field goal. While giving up three is better than giving up a touchdown if Brisker secures that interception, the momentum would have shifted easily in the game.
In addition to the failed interception, the Bears also failed to recover a blocked field goal and a forced fumble. Each of these situations hurt the teams' chances of winning. Not being able to recover and return a blocked field goal is straight-up embarrassing. Most teams score points off field goal blocks. But the Bears allowed the placeholder to recover the ball, which cost them points in the long run.
Being unable to recover the forced fumble showed the defense is not alert. That is not good for a team with a coach that preaches the importance of takeaways.
Lastly, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue did not finish on his sacks. Ngakoue was brought to the Bears for his sack production. So, being unable to finish on three sacks is a bad look. Additionally, the missed sacks allowed the Buccaneers to continue their drives, with some ending in points.
Horrible third down defense
Entering this week, the Bears had the third-worst third-down defense in the league with a 56.25 conversion rate. This week, the third-down defense did not look any better, allowing the Buccaneers to convert on eight of their fifteen third-down attempts. While some conversions happened on third and short, most happened on third and five or longer. Allowing conversions on third and long shows how inept this defense truly is since most NFL defenses get off the field on third and long. The ineptitude reflects poorly on both defensive coordinator Alan Williams and head coach Matt Eberflus. If the defense continues to struggle on third down, it will be a long season.
Justin Fields is not pulling the trigger
Photo Credit: Chicago Bears
Justin Fields biggest problem entering year three was his inability to work through progressions and make plays. This problem was supposed to have been worked on during the offseason. However, he has not shown much improvement throughout the first two games. Fields has missed or not taken shots to wide-open receivers in both games. However, his misses were more arguidos this week against the Buccaneers because they were visible with the broadcast view of the game.
On one particular play, Fields had a wide-open, streaking running back going into the endzone for a touchdown, and he turned it down. That absolutely can not happen if Fields wants to be a successful quarterback in this league. If he has a couple more games where he turns down, wide-open receivers fans will start relentlessly booing.