In a game that produced nearly 1,000 yards of total offense, the Chicago Bears came up just two yards short of a victory. While the 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers does hurt the record, it’s still important to remember that it doesn’t prevent Chicago from clinching the division. Chicago locked up the NFC North title following the Green Bay Packers‘ loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, December 27. It’s also important to remember that it’s better to learn from a loss in December than in January. Chicago’s main goal is still in front of them.
A Lombardi Trophy could be in Chicago six weeks from now as the Bears proved once again that this team can hang with anyone and is a legitimate Super Bowl threat. The Bears have now gone toe-to-toe with the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, the reigning NFC North Champion Detroit Lions, and the San Francisco 49ers, who will be contending with the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 for the first seed in the conference.
Sunday night could be viewed as a potential NFC Championship game preview, one that Chicago will look to be on the other side of if these teams meet again this season. Caleb Williams was prepped and ready to go blow-for-blow with a 49ers heavyweight offense that hadn’t punted since November 30th. Despite trailing for the majority of the game, Williams continued to shine when it mattered most. According to PFF, when trailing Williams through for 257 yards, two touchdowns, and had an adjusted completion rate of 75%.
While Chicago’s defense was on its heels for most of the night, it continued to make key plays to keep the Bears in the game for the duration. Chicago immediately made Brock Purdy aware of their league-leading turnover differential, as T.J. Edwards intercepted his first pass of the game and returned it for six. Defensive end Austin Booker claimed the lone sack for the Bears on the night. Chicago will need to figure out a way to generate more of a pass rush moving forward, as the postseason is now less than two weeks away.
Bears’ Offensive Rookie Class Continues to Shine
GettyThe Chicago Bears 1,439 receiving yards from rookies are the second most in the NFL this season.
The Chicago Bears are getting big returns early from their rookie class.
Ben Johnson credited the teams’ young playmakers in the Bears’ postgame press conference, stating, “Some good performances there, notably by our rookies,” Johnson said. “Luther had a huge game for us.”
With wide receiver Rome Odunze ruled out once again, Luther Burden III returned to the fold in a big way, following his absence in Week 16. Burden III acted as Williams’ top target on the night, catching eight receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, Burden III went down with an injury on the Bears’ final play of the game and ended up needing to be carted off. Johnson didn’t have an update to provide on the rookies’ status.
Another offensive playmaker that came up huge was first-round pick tight end Colston Loveland, who was the team’s second leading receiver with 94 yards on six receptions, along with a score. Loveland continues to grow his chemistry with Williams, as on the team’s final drive, Loveland was targeted four times, including a huge 13-yard reception on fourth down.
And finally, seventh-round running back Kyle Monangai continues to be the steady thunder to D’Andre Swift’s lightning. The duo only put up 92 yards on the ground, but kept the 49ers defense off balance and led the way as the Bears are third in rushing yards per game on the year.
Chicago will continue to need their rookies to produce at a high level as the road only gets tougher moving forward.
Caleb Williams Is on the Brink of Bears History
GettyChicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has 3,730 yards passing this season.
Caleb Williams is 270 passing yards away from becoming the Chicago Bears’ first 4,000-yard passer in NFL history. Chicago is averaging 219.4 passing yards per game this season, so Williams will need to air it out a little more to achieve this.
While the statistical achievement would be nice, it is not more important than the Bears beating the Detroit Lions in Week 18. Ben Johnson will look to take down his former team as the Bears can clinch the second seed with a win at home over the Lions on Sunday, January 4.
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