Category: Regular Season

Bears’ Matt Nagy has no regrets about his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty vs. Vikings

Bears HC Matt Nagy was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Vikings. And he regrets nothing.

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The Chicago Bears were flagged nine times during Monday night’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and one of those penalties came from head coach Matt Nagy.

Nagy was flagged in the first half after a heated dispute about a penalty on safety Deon Bush, who was called for a hit to a defenseless receiver. The Bears had stopped the Vikings on third-and-7 at midfield and should’ve forced a punt. Instead, the penalty gave Minnesota new life on Chicago’s 35-yard line, which led to a Vikings field goal.

“Our guys are fighting their (expletive) off to get off the field, and I saw what happened,” Nagy said. “So I explained my opinion on it, and I don’t regret it.”

Referee Scott Novak explained that Nagy was flagged for using inappropriate language.

“I won’t repeat what was said,” Novak said. “But when it crosses a line and it’s inappropriate, then that’s when we throw a flag.”

Novak also explained the unnecessary roughness call on Bush.

“With a defenseless receiver, the defender is always responsible for avoiding any illegal contact or illegal act,” Novak said. “And when he makes contact with the head, even if he’s going for the ball, it’s still a foul. If he’s attempting to dislodge the ball or intercept, he still cannot make illegal contact, forcibly, to the offensive player, since he’s defenseless.”

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Matt Nagy’s emotions were all over the place during Bears’ prime-time loss vs. Vikings

Here’s a look at the many faces of Matt Nagy during the Bears’ prime-time loss against the Vikings.

It was quite a rollercoaster of emotions for Bears head coach Matt Nagy during Monday night’s loss to the Vikings.

With Nagy’s tenure in Chicago coming to a close at the end of the season, he’s simply navigating these final games and trying to salvage any dignity he can.

But games like this loss to Minnesota isn’t the way to do it. Because even as a shorthanded defense stepped up, the Bears did what they’ve done best under Nagy: beat themselves.

At one point, it appeared that Nagy was close to getting ejected after he got into it with officials early in the game, where he received an unsportsmanlike penalty for what we can only assume is profane language.

“I saw what happened,” Nagy said. “I explained my opinion on it. And I don’t regret it.”

Here’s a look at the many faces of Matt Nagy during the Bears’ prime-time loss against the Vikings.

NFL attempts to explain controversial penalty in Bears-Vikings

The NFL doubled down on a low block penalty called on Bears DB Teez Tabor against the Vikings on Monday night.

There’s something about controversial penalties against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football this season.

While there were a number of questionable calls in this game, there was one in particular that was especially baffling.

Bears defensive back Teez Tabor made a heck of a tackle on Vikings running back Dalvin Cook on third-and-17 to force a punt. Well, that’s what should’ve happened. Instead, Tabor was flagged for a low block, which gave Minnesota 15 yards and an automatic first down.

The call left many NFL fans confused and frustrated at the penalty, as Tabor appeared to be flagged for simply playing defense.

The NFL addressed that penalty, where they essentially doubled down that it was the right call:

By rule, a player cannot block an opposing player low in an attempt to go through that opposing player to make a tackle on a runner. This rule has been expanded this year to any area outside of the tight end box.

But there’s an argument to be made that this call is bogus considering, first off, defenders don’t block, they tackle. Not to mention, Tabor only hit Cook, the ballcarrier, in this instance.

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Bears fans loved that Teven Jenkins stood up for Justin Fields after late hit

It’s about time someone stood up for Justin Fields. Bears fans applaud you, Teven Jenkins.

The Chicago Bears offensive line has been missing a fierce, passionate offensive lineman like an Olin Kreutz and Kyle Long. But it looks like they may have found one in rookie tackle Teven Jenkins, and he’s quickly becoming a favorite among fans.

During Monday night’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Bears rookie quarterback Justin Fields took a late shot out of bounds — for which there was no flag — and Jenkins stepped in to defend his quarterback.

While a Vikings player swung first, it was Jenkins that was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for doing what the refs wouldn’t — protecting Fields.

To make matters worse, right tackle Germain Ifedi shoved Jenkins and seemed to be chastising him for, wait for it, defending his quarterback. Which left a sour taste in the mouths of many Bears fans.

After the game, Fields said he appreciated that Jenkins stood up for him — and you could argue it was the first time that happened all year — although he told Jenkins to keep it between the whistles.

Like Fields, Bears fans appreciated Jenkins’ fire and willingness to go stick up for his quarterback when he’s taking shots like that.

Bear Necessities: The Morning After…the Bears’ Week 15 loss vs. Vikings

Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their immediate reactions to Chicago’s frustrating loss to the Vikings.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

The Chicago Bears suffered a frustrating 17-9 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, which marked Chicago’s eighth loss in the last nine games and officially eliminated them from postseason contention.

While the expectation was that the Bears would get blown out by the Vikings, as Chicago’s entire starting secondary was sidelined with COVID-19, that wasn’t the case as the Bears defense had a valiant effort and limited Minnesota’s offense.

But, shocker, Chicago’s offense stumbled, managing just three points for the first 59:59 of the game before a last-second touchdown made the score look closer than it was.

There was plenty to digest from Monday’s defeat. Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their immediate reactions to Chicago’s loss against Minnesota:

Bears officially eliminated from playoff contention following loss to Vikings

Not that we expected any different, but the Bears have officially been eliminated from playoff contention after Monday night’s loss.

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It’s been awhile since the Chicago Bears have been “in the hunt” as far as the playoffs are concerned. But they weren’t mathematically eliminated from the postseason.

Until now.

The Bears have officially been eliminated from playoff contention following Monday night’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, which dropped Chicago to 4-10 on the season. It’s the Bears’ first double-digit loss mark since 2017.

If anything, this feels like the perfect time for the Bears to start looking toward next season, where there’s expected to be a ton of change this offseason.

That starts with head coach Matt Nagy, who is expected to be relieved of his coaching duties by season’s end. The Bears have never fired a head coach in-season before, which is why it likely won’t happen until Black Monday — even though a new rule indicates Chicago can begin interviewing prospective candidates in the final two weeks of the season.

But the change might not stop there, as there’s been several reports indicating a restructure could be coming to the Bears’ front office, which could include Ryan Pace out as general manager and a new football executive in place.

With nothing left to play for — except pride — Chicago should consider getting a head start on planning for the future, where the hope is things are more optimistic than they’ve been over the last couple of seasons.

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Studs and duds from Bears’ prime-time loss to Vikings

Despite the Bears’ disappointing loss to the Vikings, there were some players who stood out in a good way.

It was another prime-time dud for the Chicago Bears this season as they fell to their division rivals the Minnesota Vikings 17-9, dropping to 4-10 on the season. The Bears have now lost all four of their prime-time games this season and clinch their first double-digit loss season since 2017.

Offensively, the Bears were able to move the ball fairly well against the Vikings, but stalled multiple times due to turnovers and failing to convert on fourth downs.

The defense, however, did their part and kept them in the game all night long. They limited the Vikings to under 20 points and under 200 yards, bottling up their running game especially. But costly penalties led to points, putting this game out of reach.

The Bears were without many of their key players and relied on quite a few practice squad guys to fill the void. Did any of them standout as studs? Here are this week’s studs and duds.

Bears’ Justin Fields appreciated Teven Jenkins sticking up for him following sideline hit

Bears fans loved that Teven Jenkins stuck up for his quarterback. And it sounds like Justin Fields felt the same.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been under duress for most of his rookie season, and he took some shots against the Vikings during Monday night’s 17-9 loss.

For awhile, the refs did little to protect Fields, allowing some big hits without penalties. Which is why rookie offensive tackle Teven Jenkins had to take matters into his own hands.

Fields took a late shot out of bounds — which wasn’t flagged — and it garnered a reaction out of Jenkins, who got into the face of the Vikings defender for going after Fields.

Jenkins was flagged for unnecessary roughness, which garnered a response out of right tackle Germain Ifedi, who shoved Jenkins and seemed to be yelling at him not to react.

But that’s not how Bears fans responded, as they loved that an offensive lineman was finally sticking up for their quarterback. And it sounds like Fields felt the same.

“I liked him sticking up for me,” Fields said. “That’s what I think we need more of.”

The move cost the Bears 15 yards, which is why Fields cautioned Jenkins about doing it between the whistles.

“I told him I like what he did there and I appreciated, but at the same time you’ve got to be smart,” Fields said. “I definitely love the mindset.”

Let’s hope the Bears can build an offensive line around Fields that embraces that mindset.

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Bears vs. Vikings: Everything we know about Chicago’s Week 15 loss

In a must-win game, the Bears came up short in a 17-9 loss to the Vikings, which dropped them to 4-10. We’re recapping the loss.

After splitting the season series with the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, the Chicago Bears hosted them on Monday Night Football for the first of two games in the final month of the season.

In a must-win game, the Bears came up short in a 17-9 loss, which dropped them to 4-10 on the season.

With the season on the line, the Bears played underwhelming football, never finding an offensive rhythm. Although the defense certainly rose to the occasion. This loss officially ends Chicago’s playoff hopes and likely seals Matt Nagy’s future.

Let’s take a look at everything we know after Chicago’s Week 15 loss to Minnesota.

Instant analysis of Bears’ frustrating 17-9 loss to Vikings in prime time

It was the same old song for the Bears as self-inflicted mistakes and offensive woes doomed them in a 17-9 loss to the Vikings.

With the Chicago Bears down 14 players, including their entire starting secondary, and two coordinators, everyone was expecting the Minnesota Vikings to roll over the Bears with ease.

While that wasn’t the case — thanks in large part to a dominant defensive effort — there certainly wasn’t anything to celebrate as the Bears lost in frustrating and humiliating fashion 17-9 to the Vikings, falling to 4-10 on the season and officially eliminated them from playoff contention.

It was the same old song for the Bears as self-inflicted mistakes and offensive woes doomed them in a game that they had a chance to win. Chicago committed three turnovers — all fumbles — committed nine penalties and managed just nine points on five possessions inside the red zone. Granted, six of those points came on a final-second touchdown from quarterback Justin Fields to tight end Jesper Horsted.

The fact that Chicago beat themselves wasn’t a shock. It’s what we’ve seen all season. It was that the Bears defense dominated the Vikings without their entire starting secondary. Chicago held Minnesota to 193 total yards, where quarterback Kirk Cousins mustered just 87 passing yards and receiver Justin Jefferson had just 47 receiving yards and an early score.

The Bears defensive front played a huge role in their dominance, which included two-sack outings by defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and outside linebacker Robert Quinn, who was named to the Pro Bowl as a starter.

One of the pleasant surprises in this game was the performance of sixth-round rookie cornerback Thomas Graham Jr., who shined in his NFL debut with seven tackles and three pass breakups.

Oh, and by the way, Graham has been stashed on the practice squad for 14 weeks when he could’ve been on the field alongside Jaylon Johnson. Instead, we’ve been subjected to Kindle Vildor, Artie Burns and Xavier Crawford, just another indictment on this coaching staff.

The Bears offense continues to be a miserable mess, whether that’s their red zone struggles, penalties, turnovers or the fact they mustered just three points until the final second of the game.

Quarterback Justin Fields’ stat line looked good — 26-of-39 for 285 yards and a touchdown for a 96.6 rating — but he had a rough outing against Minnesota,  where ball security remains an issue after he fumbled twice, losing one.

It’s not enough for concern about Fields’ future, especially given the circumstances of this season. But he has three games left this season to try and build on his past performances this season heading into a crucial offseason.

Next up for the Bears is a trip to Seattle to battle an underperforming Seahawks team. Like this game, it’s a winnable one. But it’s hard to believe Chicago can beat Seattle if they continue to beat themselves.

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