Time for a reset: Chiefs destroy the Bears |
KANSAS CITY - The 2023 season hasn't gone according to plans for the Chicago Bears (0-3), and it doesn't appear to be getting better anytime soon. Not only did the Bears lose their first two games and 12 straight overall, but you also had Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams resign mid-week, putting the team in a tough spot.
Not only that, but there was plenty of controversy surrounding Justin Fields and some of the comments he made about the offense as things continued to get worse for this team. If that wasn't bad enough, a trip to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the defending Superbowl Champs, the Kansas City Chiefs (2-1), was lingering as this was a week from hell for the Bears. In a game that had a David vs. Goliath feel and one that had the potential to get out of hand, it lived up to those expectations as a struggling Justin Fields, and the Bears offense couldn't do anything. At the same time, the defense allowed 41 unanswered points as part of the Chiefs 41-10 win. When it comes to Fields, he has made it clear that he wants to be more of a mobile QB as opposed to the current pocket passer that the Bears want him to be. This was the week for him to show that, but the overall results were terrible as Fields was 11-22 passing for 99 yards. If those numbers aren't bad enough, there was a point in the game where the Chiefs had 41 points to Field's 42 yards passing, which is hard to fathom. Despite what the final score shows, the Bears did a great job keeping things close early as they forced a punt on the Chiefs first possession and kept Kansas City off the board for much of the first quarter. That was until Patrick Mahomes found Jerrick McKinnon for a six-yard TD to put the Chiefs in front for good, 7-0. That score was the beginning of the end for this team, as it only continued to get worse from there. Even with Fields and Khalil Herbert trying to get things going on the ground, the Bear's first three possessions resulted in a trio of punts; it was the surprisingly improved defense of the Chiefs that stood out the most as they not only continued to get after the QB, but also have also done a great job limiting big gains. Although the Chief's offense hasn't looked good through two games, a game against the Bears would be the perfect one to come to life. Not only was that the case, but it was the case in a big way as the Chiefs scored 27 points in the second quarter to completely bust the game wide open. Clyde Edwards-Helaire did a great job setting things up for the Chiefs second TD, which opened things up for Mahomes to find Travis Kelce and company. After what looked to be a TD from the Rookie Rashee Rice was ruled short, it was Edwards-Helaire finishing things off from one yard out to make things 14-0. Following another punt by the Bears, which pinned the Chiefs deep in their territory, the offense went to work once again as they went 88 yards on just 11 plays. Finding Justin Watson for 37 yards was the play that got things going as the Chiefs were already nearing midfield. Now in Bears territory after a nice completion to Noah Gray, Isaiah Pacheco moved the ball inside the 10 before Mahomes hooked up with McKinnon again for his second TD of the game and a 21-0 lead. One play into the Bears' next drive was Trent McDuffie coming through with a massive play as he ripped the ball out of Herbert's arms to give it back to the Chiefs as Harrison Butker made things 24-0. Two plays leader, and it was the Chiefs defense coming through once again as Fields was intercepted by Mike Edwards as the offense continued to spiral out of control. Two receptions from Rice moved the ball inside the two-yard line, with Pacheco finishing things off to push the Chiefs lead to 31-0 before Butker added another field goal to put the Bears in a 34-0 halftime hole. It was more of the same for the Bears to begin the second half, as their first possession resulted in a punt, which gave the balls back to Mahomes and the Chiefs. Three plays later, it was Marquez Valdes-Scantling coming down with a huge reception, and just like that, the Chiefs offense was it again. Several short gains later had the ball inside the five only to have Mahomes find Kelce for the three-yard score to make things 41-0. It was the 48th TD between them for that duo, which is the most in franchise history. At some point, you had to think the Bear's offense would get things going, but after another short-yardage drive resulting in a turnover on downs, that success was nowhere to be found. Given the 41-point lead by the Chiefs, Andy Reid chose to pull most of his starters and brought in Blaine Gabbert to play QB. It was a move the Bears loved to see as Jack Sanborn came down with a massive interception and returned it deep into Chiefs territory for the Bears first big play of the day. Fields did his best to try and make something happen, but after he took a scary hit and had to be examined by the doctor, Matt Eberflus chose to kick a field to end the shutout. Not only did the Bears defense come down with one interception, but they also managed to come down with a second pick on the Chiefs next possession, which stalled what looked to be a promising drive from Gabbert. Given that Chicago was down by 38, no one would have been shocked to see Tyson Bagent enter the game, but instead, Fields was back out for what looked to be a questionable decision. Fields started to look like the Fields of old with his legs, but he was given some help from Roschon Johnson as the Bears continued to move the ball much better. The key play of the drive was when Fields hooked up with DJ Moore for 29 yards as Moore made an incredible one-handed catch to move the ball inside the Chiefs 20. A quick pass to the rookie Tyler Scott kept the drive alive before Moore finished things off for the final points in what was a 41-10 laugher of a game. For the Bears, an 0-3 start isn't what they were hoping for, but now they have more significant issues to address. Losers of 13 straight dating back to last season, Chicago will be forced with a tough decision surrounding Fields, although most of this isn't his fault. Fields may not have done well in the passing game with 99 yards, but with 47 yards rushing to lead the way for Chicago, he started to do the things he does best. Moore picked up 41 yards receiving on three catches to pace the passing game. Regarding the Chiefs, Mahomes barely played two quarters and put up an entire game's worth of stats as he went 24-33 for 272 yards and three scores. 69 of those went to Kelce, who led the team in receiving, while the Chiefs also added 153 yards on the ground, with Pacheco leading the way with 62 yards on 15 carries.
