The Chicago Bears had it. They had their first win of the season within reach against the winless Denver Broncos. But in true Bears fashion, they choked away the game to fall to 0-4 on the season (their 14th consecutive loss).
The game seemed put away after an impressive first half, where the team held a 28-7 lead in the third quarter. The fans were destined to celebrate a career day for quarterback Justin Fields that saw him set a franchise record for consecutive completions.
But, in a flash, Chicago was down 31-28, and Fields threw a demoralizing interception that sealed the win for the Broncos.
While emotions are high and the game is fresh in our minds, let’s break down everything we know about the Bears’ Week 4 loss to the Broncos.
Final Score: Broncos 31, Bears 28
Keys to the game
Justin Fields’ career game blemished with costly turnovers: Fields had his best performance of the season, throwing for 335 yards and four touchdowns. Despite the resurgent performance, Fields made some costly turnovers in the fourth quarter, fumbling the ball that was scooped and taken back for a touchdown and a game-losing interception on the last drive of the game. He made some unquestionable strides in his play, but he couldn’t seal the deal.
Matt Eberflus makes questionable late-game decisions: Eberflus was already on the hot seat following a 0-3 start, and the heat will be turned up after some suspect late-game decisions. Eberflus called a timeout after drawing to draw the Broncos offsides, only to send the offense back out to attempt a frustratingly choreographed running play that was stuffed before crossing the first down marker. Eberflus’s decision to not kick the field goal while the game was tied 28-28 will be a point of contention in this week’s press conference.
An injured secondary couldn’t stop Russell Wilson: While Wilson was kept in check most of the game, the Bears couldn’t stop him when it mattered most. Wilson led the offense on a touchdown drive to end the third quarter, and he drove right back down the field after a Bears punt and scored again, cutting Chicago’s lead to seven. Wilson finished the game throwing for 223 yards and three touchdowns.
Penalties killed late drives: When the Bears needed yards the most, the team couldn’t get out of its own way. Chicago notched double-digit penalties when the clock hit zero, losing a total of 91 yards in the process. The Bears’ lack of discipline starts from the top, and it will be yet another talking point in which Eberflus will need to explain himself.
It was over when...
It was over when Fields threw an interception that sealed the game for the Broncos.
Fields attempted to lead the offense down the field for one final push to get the win. He anticipated tight end Cole Kmet to come open on inside curl route, but Kmet did not turn around in time to see the ball coming. Unfortunately for Chicago, a Broncos defender did, and his interception off the pass issued the team their ticket for a fourth consecutive loss.
4 stars of the game
*Justin Fields: Despite the back-breaking turnovers Fields committed, he had a career game on Sunday. Fields had an overall lights out day, throwing for a career-high 335 yards and four touchdowns, totaling a passer rating of 132.7. We mentioned that Fields would need to make a major leap to convince the fans that he is the quarterback of the future, and he accomplished that today.
**Khalil Herbert: Chicago needed to return to the run game in order to get the offense moving, and the Bears did just that. Herbert was the beneficiary of the offense’s newfound eagerness to run the ball, gaining over 100 yards on the ground on 18 carries and averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Questionable calls and turnovers aside, the offense proved that it can be multi-faceted with a balanced passing and rushing attack.
***DJ Moore: Fields’ connection with his electric number one receiver was all the talk in training camp, but the fans hadn’t seen that chemistry translated on the field through three weeks. That changed today, as QB1 connected with Moore eight times for 131 yards and a graceful toe-tap touchdown to begin the scoring spree. General manager Ryan Poles brought in Moore to be Chicago’s wide receiver one, and Moore lived up to that title today.
****Cole Kmet: Many assumed Kmet would have a larger role in the offense after signing a big 4-year contract this offseason, and he made his presence known in Week 4. The reliable tight end brought in seven catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns today. Though it remains to be seen if Fields’ game-losing interception was Kmet’s fault for going the opposite direction of the ball’s trajectory, but Kmet certainly had a statement game.
What's next
Chicago will only have a few days to collect themselves and regroup, as the Bears will travel to Washington to play the Commanders in some Thursday night football action. Kickoff will be at 7:15 p.m., and it will be broadcasted on Prime Video. Washington outlasted Chicago in Week 6 last year, pulling out a tough 12-7 win over the Bears.
