Bears’ loss vs. Chiefs can be summed up in one word: ‘Embarrassing’

The Bears’ 26-3 loss to the Chiefs was a microcosm of their 2019 season, a complete disappointment all around.

When describing the Bears’ 26-3 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night, one word sums it up: Embarrassing.

But don’t take my word for it, let the players explain.

“Last home game, prime time, it’s embarrassing,” Eddie Jackson said.

Khalil Mack elaborated further.

“You play games like that on TV, prime time, you want to go out and ball, especially at home,” Mack said. “It’s embarrassing to us. We embarrassed our fans. And ultimately that’s unacceptable.”

It was a fitting end at home for a season that began with an embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers on a primetime stage. Only no one could’ve known that loss was a foreshadowing of what was to come for the Bears in a season that was once ripe with Super Bowl expectations.

The Bears secured their early offseason with a loss last week against the Packers, which shortly after led to their elimination from playoff contention. And yet, there was still plenty to play for. Pride. Jobs. Contract extensions.

But the Bears looked like a group uninspired as they faced off against one of the best teams in the league in the Chiefs — a squad that Bears fans could only dream of their team becoming.

While the Bears offense put on another embarrassing clinic on how not to play football — including abysmal play from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky right down to the offensive line and to play caller Matt Nagy — in a sad way, it was expected. After all, that’s what this offense has shown they are all season.

But it was the defense’s sloppy play that was frustrating. While no one expected them to stop Patrick Mahomes, they certainly helped him with their self-inflicted mistakes, including costly penalties that kept drives alive and allowed Mahomes to do his thing.

“It was definitely sloppy,” Mack said. “There were a lot of things we gave them, especially up front, rushing wise, on the touchdown scramble and a couple third downs he was able to extend the play a little bit. Ultimately, it’s not the type of ball we want to play.”

The Bears still have one game remaining this season before they head into an offseason with plenty of questions to be answered. One of this questions: What type of ball do they want to play?

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Bears OLB Khalil Mack isn’t happy with his 2019 performance

This season has been a disappointment for the Bears, and OLB Khalil Mack was critical of his own performance this year.

Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack was voted to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl. But that’s not something he wants to talk about.

“Next question,” he told the media Friday.

But is he going to play in the game?

“Next question,” he repeated.

For Mack, it’s hard to get excited about the Pro Bowl when the Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention. That’s how he measures success — not in individual accolades but playing meaningful football in January.

“The only thing you can really count on is getting to the playoffs and that’s my mindset,” Mack said. “You can’t really say it’s successful in that form or fashion. But it is what it is.”

Not only is Mack frustrated with missing the playoffs, he’s also disappointed in his individual performance this season.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I’m a tough critic, especially on myself. It definitely wasn’t what I wanted to put on film all year. But it is what it is.”

Mack has 42 tackles, 7.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, five forced fumbles, four passes defended. They’re good enough numbers, but not exactly what you’d expect from Mack.

Despite what the box score says, Mack is someone that affects every play. Opposing teams game plan specifically for him, he gets pressure on the quarterback, but this season the sacks haven’t been there.

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Khalil Mack, Cordarrelle Patterson named to USA Today’s All-Decade Team

Two Chicago Bears have been named to USA Today’s All-Decade Team: Outside linebacker Khalil Mack and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson.

While both haven’t been with the Bears for very long — Mack is in his second year and Patterson his first with Chicago — they’ve already had lasting impacts on the franchise.

In Mack’s first season with the Bears, he amassed 12.5 sacks, a career-high six forced fumbles and 18 quarterback hits. But even more than that, it was his presence on the field that added a new wrinkle to Chicago’s defense. Even when he’s not making an impact on the box score, he’s affecting every play.

Before Mack was traded to the Bears in 2018, he established himself as one of the NFL’s best defenders with the Oakland Raiders. In 2016, Mack was named Defensive Player of the Year following a season where he registered 15.0 sacks and 23 tackles-for-loss. Mack has now been voted to five straight Pro Bowls (three with the Raiders, two with the Bears).

In Patterson’s first season with the Bears, he’s breathed life into Chicago’s kick return game. He ranks second in the league with a 29.6-yard average on 27 kickoff returns, and he’s ran one back 102 yards for a touchdown against the Saints. More than a kick returner, Patterson has proven to be an impressive gunner on special teams.

When the Bears signed Patterson in the offseason, they were adding a dynamic weapon that affected plays on both offense and special teams. Patterson ranks second in NFL history averaging 29.9 yards on 203 kickoff returns. He also ranks third all-time on the NFL’s kickoff return touchdowns list with seven.

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The worst Pro Bowl picks — and the players who should replace them

Every year, a group of undeserving players are named to the Pro Bowl. Here’s this year’s list, and the players who should replace them.

If you think the Pro Bowl is a meaningless exercise, don’t tell the fans, players, and teams when somebody on their side is snubbed in the process. Every year, there are deserving players who aren’t voted to the Pro Bowl roster, and every year, there are players who get on more through previous reputation than current performance.

Here are the most egregious omissions in the 2019 voting, with thought on which players these unfortunate snubs should replace. Because if you’re going to complain about a player who’s wrongly off the Pro Bowl roster, you should be able to find a guy who’s taking up space. That’s where things get a bit more difficult!

Quarterback (NFC)

In: Dak Prescott or Kirk Cousins
Out: Aaron Rodgers

Either Prescott or Cousins would be a better fit on the NFC roster than Aaron Rodgers, who had just three games with more than 300 passing yards this season, three games with less than 200 yards passing, and eight games with one or zero touchdowns. Cousins has been on fire after a rough start to the season, and Prescott ranks first in Football Outsiders’ opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics. Not that Rodgers has had a bad season, but this seems much more like a reputation pick than anything else.

Receiver (AFC)

In: Julian Edelman
Out: Jarvis Landry

Landry has been one of Cleveland’s few bright spots on offense this season, but it’s kind of ridiculous to have him in over Edelman, who was part of a total snub of New England offensive players that hasn’t happened since 2003. Yes, Landry has 74 catches on 1,018 yards and five touchdowns, but Edelman has 92 catches for 1,019 yards and six touchdowns in an offense so broken, opposing defenses can bracket him on just about every play. Edelman has faced more double teams than at any other point in his career, and he’s having arguably his most productive season.

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NFL Pro Bowl 2020: Bears’ Eddie Jackson, Khalil Mack, Cordarrelle Patterson named to roster

Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson and Cordarrelle Patterson have been named to the 2020 Pro Bowl.

The 2019 season has been a disappointment for the Chicago Bears as they’ll miss the postseason for the eighth time this decade, but at least three of their players will still have the opportunity to play January football.

Safety Eddie Jackson, kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson and outside linebacker Khalil Mack were named to the NFC squad in the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl.

Punt returner Tarik Cohen, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and cornerback Kyle Fuller were named alternates.

🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xEvQ0daneu

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 18, 2019

Jackson, Mack and Patterson are all veterans of the NFL’s all-star game. Jackson, returning for the second-consecutive season, has one interception, one forced fumble and 57 total tackles on the season.

Mack was named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl with 7.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four pass deflections in his second season with the Bears.

Patterson, heading to his third Pro Bowl during his first season with the Bears, leads the league in total kickoff return yards, is second in kickoff return average, and has one touchdown on the season.

Meanwhile, Cohen, Goldman, and Fuller will have the opportunity to participate in the game if one of the starters elects not to play. Should Goldman have the opportunity to play, it will be his first Pro Bowl while Cohen and Fuller would be returning their second.

The 2020 NFL Pro Bowl takes place Sunday, January 26th at 2 p.m. CT in Orlando, FL.

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2020 NFL Pro Bowl: Predicting which Bears players should be selected

Before Tuesday’s reveal of the 2020 Pro Bowl rosters, here’s a look at some Bears players that should make the NFC roster.

Fans, coaches and even players have sounded off on the very best to play this season, and the NFL is set to announce their 2020 Pro Bowl rosters for the AFC and NFC on Tuesday night.

While the Chicago Bears have had an overall disappointing season — which officially ended shortly after last Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers when Chicago was eliminated from playoff contention — there were some players that flashed during a somewhat dim season.

The Bears defense has allowed the third fewest points per game this season, but there have still been some underwhelming performances by some stars late this season. Still, cornerback Kyle Fuller and outside linebacker Khalil Mack are good enough to warrant them a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.

Chicago’s offense, on the other hand, has been disappointing from top to bottom. From quarterback to play caller. Well, except for receiver Allen Robinson, who just eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on the season. It was the first time a Bears receiver accomplished the feat since Alshon Jeffery in 2014.

The Bears special teams have two dynamic return threats that should easily get nods at their respective positions. Kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson is not only the best returner in the NFL, but he’s having quite a season as a gunner, as well. Then there’s speedster punt returner Tarik Cohen, who ranks second in punt return yards with 284.

Here are five Bears players that should be selected for the 2020 Pro Bowl:

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2020 Pro Bowl selection: Time and TV info for roster announcement

The NFL will be revealing the 2020 Pro Bowl roster on Tuesday. Here are all the details.

As the NFL regular season draws to a close, many teams will go home empty handed as the postseason roars to life. One season after winning the NFC North and boasting a No. 3 seed in the conference, the Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention following Week 15 and an overall disappointing outing.

But there are still some Bears players that will have a chance to play some January football as the NFL prepares to announce its 2020 Pro Bowl rosters.

With voting officially closed for the 2020 Pro Bowl, the official announcement of rosters for the AFC and NFC will be announced Tuesday night.

While there aren’t many Bears players that could seemingly make the roster — especially on offense — there are a few that have had Pro-Bowl years, including kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson, receiver Allen Robinson, cornerback Kyle Fuller, punt returner Tarik Cohen and outside linebacker Khalil Mack.

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Whether they make the Pro Bowl roster remains to be seen. But here’s when you can see:

2020 NFL Pro Bowl roster announcement

Date: Tuesday, December 17

Time: 7 p.m. CST

Watch: NFL Network: “NFL Total Access: Pro Bowl Players Revealed”

The Pro Bowl will be held Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 at 2 p.m. CT at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

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Studs and duds from Bears’ 13-21 loss to Packers

The Chicago Bears’ 13-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers didn’t mathematically eliminate them from the playoffs, but it realistically marked the end of their 2019 season. The game played through an all-too-common script for Matt Nagy, with Mitch …

The Chicago Bears’ 13-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers didn’t mathematically eliminate them from the playoffs, but it realistically marked the end of their 2019 season.

The game played through an all-too-common script for Matt Nagy, with Mitch Trubisky turning it on in the fourth quarter with a significant deficit on the scoreboard.

A last-second lateral play brought the Bears within yards of the endzone, but they ultimately couldn’t overcome the mistakes they made through the first three quarters.

Some individual performances gave Chicago a glimpse of what’s to come in 2020 and beyond, reminding the coaching staff which players deserve to stick around and who should be jettisoned.

Here are the studs and duds from the Bears’ Week 15 loss in Green Bay.

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Which Bears players are having Pro Bowl seasons?

While the Bears haven’t lived up to expectations this season, there have been some players that have made their case for a Pro Bowl nod.

The Chicago Bears aren’t living up to their expectations this season, but there are several players that are playing some great football this season that should very much be in Pro Bowl consideration.

Here are 5 Bears that are having Pro Bowl years:

KR Cordarrelle Patterson

It’s an easy argument to make that Cordarrelle Patterson is the best kick returner in the league. Patterson is a threat every time he touches the ball, which he makes a point to do every chance he gets. And the numbers certainly back it up. After 13 games, Patterson has 755 kick return yards, which is the most in the NFL. His lone kick return touchdown against the Saints was 102 yards, the longest in the NFL this season. His 30.2 yards per return also ranks second in the NFL.