In sports media, phrases like “historic win,” and “generational talent,” are used so frequently that their true meaning gets diluted. It’s a common occurrence and it’s all right. Sports are thrilling and exaggeration is part of the enjoyment.
However, on Sunday, the Bears suffered a truly historic loss to the Lions. They did something that no other NFL team has ever done before, according to ESPN 1000.
Doug Colletti, our @ESPN1000 Bears statistics guru, shared that it was the first time any team lost in regulation with a plus 3 turnover margin and over 40 minutes of time of possession. Teams were previously 48-0 in such situations before the Bears’ collapse.
For three and a half quarters, the Bears executed their game plan flawlessly. They ran the ball effectively on offense and forced turnovers on defense. Justin Fields made a strong return and delivered big plays with both his arm and his legs. It was a dominant performance by the Bears on the road against a top NFC North team.
However, it all fell apart as the Lions scored 17 unanswered points in the final four minutes of the game. The loss raised questions about conservative playcalling, the defense’s inability to make crucial stops, and the team’s failure to capitalize on opportunities.
These are the questions that will be discussed all week, much like they have been in previous weeks. Regardless of the reasons for the disappointing losses, it’s evident that the Bears are not good enough to defeat quality teams without executing flawlessly.