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| Brian Hoyer (2) and Jordan Howard (24) during a game against the Colts on Oct. 9, 2016 Photo Credit: Associated Press |
Brian Hoyer played a very effective game going 33-43 for 397 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jordan Howard put together another great game, rushing for 118 yards while catching 3 passes for 45 yards, one of them being a touchdown. The ability of the line and Howard's production once again allowed Hoyer to find anyone he wanted on the field. I am at the point where I realize Jay Cutler might never play another snap for the Chicago Bears and it sort of makes sense (I guess). Hoyer is playing well, not turning the ball over (which I think factors in most), and showing the poise you expect out of a veteran backup. But there are still issues.
Although they scored 23 points, the Bears had to settle for 4 field goal attempts, one being missed by Barth. The inability of the Bears offense to get into the end zone more, especially when they get deep in opponents territory, is dooming this team time and time again. I have said it and I will keep saying it; we can get as many yards as we want but if we don't take advantage of field position it doesn't really matter. We need to find a way to come off the field with more than a field goal if we plan on beating anyone else this year.
One of the most important plays on offense came at the end of the game. Jeffery was very upset after a failed 4th down and at first I was confused why. But after reading an article by Sean Wagner-McGough, it seems that Jeffery was wide open on the play which would have resulted in a touchdown had Hoyer looked his way. Sean said it best when he wrote "And really, that last play perfectly captures the difference between Hoyer and Cutler. Hoyer played well, took care of the football, and he certainly wasn't the reason why the Bears lost (and I'm guessing he'll hang onto the starting job for at least another week), but if the Bears are looking to play the quarterback who can make big-time throws in key moments, that quarterback isn't Hoyer -- it's Cutler. "
But don't get me wrong, despite the deep threat differences, in no way is this loss on Hoyer for missing one play. Meredith also had a fumble late in the game while the Bears were trying to come back. The defense was another issue.
Although the defense was really good at stopping the Colts on third down, the effort didn't translate to the rest of the game. They allowed almost 400 yards of total offense to a team that is able to do that regularly. They ended the game without a single takeaway, which doesn't necessarily lead to a loss but it definitely helps swing momentum. But the biggest blunder of the defense came in the fourth quarter while the Bears were leading 23-19. On 1st and 10 from the Bears 35 yard line, Luck hit T.Y. Hilton in stride for a touchdown. Hilton was able to blow past Glenn, and had plenty of room between him and Prosinski to make the catch and score untouched. The main issue with this drive is the fact that the Bears had scored on the drive right before. Although momentum was on our side the defense wasn't able to hold up it's end and allowed the Colts to march right down the field.
The Bears would go on to lose the game by a score of 23-29.
The Bears would go on to lose the game by a score of 23-29.
Going forward, it is going to be very tough for the Bears to make the playoffs. The offense needs to score more touchdowns when they get into the red zone. The defense needs to do better at bending and not breaking. And the penalties have got to be cut down. Penalties easily kill drives when you are on a roll.
I can't say that the Bears are playing bad football. They are just sloppy at times which has ended up being very costly.
UP NEXT: Chicago Bears (1-4) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3)
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