Only the Chicago Bears could take a beautiful day on the lakefront and turn it into a miserable setting. But you have to give them credit for upping their creativity with this one. The winless Bears welcomed the fellow-winless Denver Broncos to town in a matchup that decided who’s season was over and who’s just might be only mostly over. Chicago drew the short straw despite leading 28-7 and blew a lead of epic proportions to lose 31-28.
For about three quarters of the game, Chicago looked like a competent NFL team. Quarterback Justin Fields and the offense were unstoppable and gave fans a show they had not seen in years. Even the defense, which couldn’t stop a nosebleed, found ways to keep the Denver offense off the field. Everything was clicking, until late in the third quarter.
After going up 28-7, the Broncos offense found a spark and the Bears defense wasn’t quick enough to put out the flame. Quarterback Russell Wilson fired two touchdowns before the Denver defense got their first defensive touchdown in nearly two full years off a Fields fumble. The lead was gone and panic began setting in.
Head coach Matt Eberflus made one of the most questionable calls of his coaching tenure when he opted to burn a timeout and give his offense a shot at converting a fourth-and-short. It backfired, which led to the go-ahead field goal to seal the improbable Broncos victory.
This game had everything, good and bad. Even happenings off the field that may have impacted Sunday’s performances. Regardless, there was plenty to take away from the game.