In the biggest game of their season, the Chicago Bears (7-7) came out flat against their rivals the Green Bay Packers (11-3), who marched one game closer to the playoffs while the Bears were officially eliminated.
No matter how you look at it, Sunday’s 21-13 loss was an ugly one. Offense, defense — well, maybe not special teams, even if the refs would have you believe it.
But there were plenty of reasons for the Bears’ devastating loss. Here are the biggest three reasons:
1. Nonsense “kick catch interference” call on Cordarrelle Patterson in first quarter
Contrary to the “kick catch interference” call made by referees early in the first quarter of Sunday’s game, Cordarrelle Patterson’s hit on Tramon Williams was perfectly-timed and perfectly-executed. Patterson is having an All-Pro season as a special teamer for plays just like that.
While this wasn’t the only reason the Bears lost, it was a big reason why considering how it altered the game moving forward.
If the right call is made — which is a no call — Patterson’s hit jarred the ball loose, and the Bears offense would’ve gotten the ball on the Green Bay 35-yard line rather than the Packers getting the ball on the Chicago 35-yard line, which is exactly what happened.
The Bears would’ve had an opportunity to jump ahead to a fast start, which is something that has happened over the last two games that has been a big indicator in their success. If Chicago is playing with the lead, you have to believe it changes their gameplan moving forward. That, and the Packers weren’t gifted an early touchdown.
Bears get called for “kick catch interference” for hitting the Packers returner after he caught it #CHIvsGB pic.twitter.com/i7bJ0ENj8W
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) December 15, 2019