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Instant analysis: Evaluating Caleb Williams, Bears performance vs. Patriots

3 weeks agoStaff Report

CHICAGO — The Bears had a get-right opponent on the schedule, playing in stadium where they hadn’t lost in more than a calendar year. Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field looked like a near-perfect palate cleanser, yet the experience still left a bad taste.

The Bears played uninspired football in the first half, with an offense that looked lost and a defense that left small cracks for Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to make plays.

That prompted intermittent booing from a home crowd was upset and then increasing apathetic to what was happening on the field. Those boos grew louder in the final few minutes of the game as the Bears lost 19-3 to the Patriots. New England entered the game with a 2-7 record that was tied for the worst in football.

[WATCH: The Official Bears Postgame Live Show on Marquee Sports Network]

This is the first time since December 2004 where the Bears have failed to score a touchdown in back-to-back games.

It’s also the first time since 1993 that a Bears QB has been sacked at least 6 times in back-to-back games.

Let’s break it all down in this Week 10 instant analysis:

Bair’s break down

The Bears offense has some real problems, and they extend well beyond an injury-plagued offensive line.

A front missing three starters, with another playing out of place, was a significant issue that impacted the unit’s overall performance. There’s no doubt about that.

Despite that fact, quarterback Caleb Williams made some odd decisions, some inaccurate throws and played a role in some of the sacks he took.

Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron called some eyebrow-raising plays that hurt his team more than helped them. And the negative plays, both from sacks and penalties, piled up yet again and make things harder than they should be.

All these things happened against a Patriots team that entered play ranked No. 24 in total defense. This unit, its play caller and the head coach in charge of it all will be questioned relentlessly in the coming days, with a real risk of things getting worse as the Bears enter a brutal part of their schedule.

Whatever was found during a 3-game winning streak where the offense piled up points has been lost. It would be easy to blame everything on the offensive front. It also wouldn’t be fair or accurate for a group that is dealing with several issues that need to get fixed fast.

Key stat

The Bears offense has come under fire in recent weeks and the group had another difficult showing Sunday afternoon against the Patriots.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Bears had just 69 net passing yards as a team. A big part of that was due to 9 sacks as Williams was under intense pressure all game long.

The Bears entered Week 10 in rough shape on the offensive line as both starting tackles Braxton Jonesa and Darnell Wright were ruled out due to injury. Then during the middle of the game, guard Teven Jenkins left with an ankle injury and did not return.

Williams finished the game 16-for-30 passing for 120 yards and 0 touchdowns or interceptions. Keenan Allen led the Bears with 5 catches for 44 yards.

Pivot point

It began as a tough first half for both offenses attempting to move the ball at Soldier Field.

In the middle of the 2nd quarter, the Bears were able to grind out a drive to connect on a field goal that tied the game at 3-3.

But the once-vaunted Chicago defense got carved up by the Patriots and rookie quarterback Drake Maye. New England marched down the field for a 10-play, 70-yard drive ending in a 2-yard touchdown pass 126 seconds before halftime.

That gave the Patriots a 10-3 lead and the Bears attempted to answer on their final drive before the half. They picked up 1 first down on a Caleb Williams rush before being forced to punt.

The Patriots needed only 35 seconds to march 41 yards and score again – kicking a field goal heading into halftime.

That 13-3 halftime deficit proved to be too much for the struggling Bears offense to overcome.

What’s next

The longstanding Bears-Packers rivalry continues with a crucial Week 11 matchup at Solider Field that will be, shockingly, Chicago’s first NFC North game of the season. Green Bay will play that one on extra rest, coming off of their bye week. It will be crucial for the Bears to establish themselves as a contender in the division with a win in that one.

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