Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 17:56:38 GMT -6
Instant Analysis of the Chicago Bears 23-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs
Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA;
By: Bryan Perez | 4 hours ago
The Chicago Bears’ underwhelming preseason continued in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that is generally considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season. Their 23-7 loss was about as bad of a performance as they could fear having just two weeks before their opening-day game against the Houston Texans.
Chicago has been outscored 45-7 at home this preseason.
The Bears’ offense was, well, offensive. Jay Cutler completed six of his 15 attempts for only 45 yards, with Alshon Jeffery leading the way as the top receiver with two catches for 18 yards. Second-year man Kevin White was a non-factor once again, hauling in only one ball for three yards. While it’s not quite time to panic about White’s woeful preseason, his failure to make any impact through three games is worthy of concern.
The running game fared no better as starter Jeremy Langford managed just 17 yards on six carries, although he did make a few nice runs behind the Bears’ patchwork offensive line. His final numbers aren’t totally indicative of his rep-to-rep performance because of a few busted plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Veteran Jacquizz Rodgers was the first running back off the bench but he only carried the ball one time for one yard. Ka’Deem Carey made his return from a concussion and flashed his tough running style between the tackles en route to nine yards on four carries. Rookie Jordan Howard finished off the rotation but failed to convert on two short-yardage situations that resulted in a loss of downs. He totaled eight yards on four rushes.
The biggest concern, by far, was once again the Bears’ offensive line. Starting center Cornelius Edison looked over-matched at times, while veteran right guard Ted Larsen continues to play like a guy that doesn’t warrant much confidence.
Take a look at this rep to see just how bad the offensive line looked at times during the game:
The backup quarterback position was equally unsteady, with Brian Hoyer airmailing balls and looking like a guy who’s forgotten how to play in the NFL. He was knocked out of the game by Chiefs linebacker Dadi Nicholas and was replaced by Connor Shaw.
Shaw led the offense on a scoring drive, capping it off with a 22-yard strike to Cameron Meredith, but the second-year passer from South Carolina suffered what appeared to be a gruesome leg injury with just over two minutes remaining in the game. He completed five of his six passes for 68 yards and the score before being carted off the field.
Shaw’s injury means Hoyer is now a lock for the final roster.
It’s only the preseason, but the Bears’ failure to adjust to the opposing defense’s pass rush or find any rhythm whatsoever on offense will continue to raise questions about offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and the unit’s overall level of preparation.
Defensively, the Bears didn’t do anything of note. First-round pick Leonard Floyd didn’t play despite being in uniform, and the secondary gave up one third-down conversion after another.
Chiefs starting quarterback Alex Smith sliced up the secondary, completing 20 of 30 passes for 181 yards. He was rarely pressured and made it look easy against the Bears. Chicago’s defense made Smith look like a legitimate MVP candidate.
Starting cornerback Tracy Porter left the game with an apparent concussion and the rest of the corners and safeties simply looked out of place in coverage. For a defense already without Kyle Fuller, a Porter injury will spell certain doom for the backend of the defense.
Rookie Deiondre’ Hall did record an interception in the second half on a tipped pass and made a nice pass breakup in the end zone against Kansas City’s go-to-guy Jeremy Maclin, but he looked lost on a deep ball to backup receiver Tyreek Hill. Hall has a lot of upside, but he’s still a raw and developing player who will be a big liability on the defense if forced to start before he’s ready.
On the positive side, linebacker Jerrell Freeman looked every bit the part of a physical thumper against the run. He survived an injury scare, too, after appearing to tweak his knee on the questionable Soldier Field turf.
In addition to Freeman, defensive end Akiem Hicks registered a sack and safety Harold Jones-Quartey was a hard-hitting force all afternoon. But the rest of the unit looked average at best and provided very few noteworthy moments.
The Bears travel to Cleveland for their fourth and final preseason game on September 1, where the starters are likely to play little if at all so the backup and roster-bubble players can make their final pitch for a spot on the team.
Aug 27, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA;
By: Bryan Perez | 4 hours ago
The Chicago Bears’ underwhelming preseason continued in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that is generally considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season. Their 23-7 loss was about as bad of a performance as they could fear having just two weeks before their opening-day game against the Houston Texans.
Chicago has been outscored 45-7 at home this preseason.
The Bears’ offense was, well, offensive. Jay Cutler completed six of his 15 attempts for only 45 yards, with Alshon Jeffery leading the way as the top receiver with two catches for 18 yards. Second-year man Kevin White was a non-factor once again, hauling in only one ball for three yards. While it’s not quite time to panic about White’s woeful preseason, his failure to make any impact through three games is worthy of concern.
The running game fared no better as starter Jeremy Langford managed just 17 yards on six carries, although he did make a few nice runs behind the Bears’ patchwork offensive line. His final numbers aren’t totally indicative of his rep-to-rep performance because of a few busted plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Veteran Jacquizz Rodgers was the first running back off the bench but he only carried the ball one time for one yard. Ka’Deem Carey made his return from a concussion and flashed his tough running style between the tackles en route to nine yards on four carries. Rookie Jordan Howard finished off the rotation but failed to convert on two short-yardage situations that resulted in a loss of downs. He totaled eight yards on four rushes.
The biggest concern, by far, was once again the Bears’ offensive line. Starting center Cornelius Edison looked over-matched at times, while veteran right guard Ted Larsen continues to play like a guy that doesn’t warrant much confidence.
Take a look at this rep to see just how bad the offensive line looked at times during the game:
The backup quarterback position was equally unsteady, with Brian Hoyer airmailing balls and looking like a guy who’s forgotten how to play in the NFL. He was knocked out of the game by Chiefs linebacker Dadi Nicholas and was replaced by Connor Shaw.
Shaw led the offense on a scoring drive, capping it off with a 22-yard strike to Cameron Meredith, but the second-year passer from South Carolina suffered what appeared to be a gruesome leg injury with just over two minutes remaining in the game. He completed five of his six passes for 68 yards and the score before being carted off the field.
Shaw’s injury means Hoyer is now a lock for the final roster.
It’s only the preseason, but the Bears’ failure to adjust to the opposing defense’s pass rush or find any rhythm whatsoever on offense will continue to raise questions about offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and the unit’s overall level of preparation.
Defensively, the Bears didn’t do anything of note. First-round pick Leonard Floyd didn’t play despite being in uniform, and the secondary gave up one third-down conversion after another.
Chiefs starting quarterback Alex Smith sliced up the secondary, completing 20 of 30 passes for 181 yards. He was rarely pressured and made it look easy against the Bears. Chicago’s defense made Smith look like a legitimate MVP candidate.
Starting cornerback Tracy Porter left the game with an apparent concussion and the rest of the corners and safeties simply looked out of place in coverage. For a defense already without Kyle Fuller, a Porter injury will spell certain doom for the backend of the defense.
Rookie Deiondre’ Hall did record an interception in the second half on a tipped pass and made a nice pass breakup in the end zone against Kansas City’s go-to-guy Jeremy Maclin, but he looked lost on a deep ball to backup receiver Tyreek Hill. Hall has a lot of upside, but he’s still a raw and developing player who will be a big liability on the defense if forced to start before he’s ready.
On the positive side, linebacker Jerrell Freeman looked every bit the part of a physical thumper against the run. He survived an injury scare, too, after appearing to tweak his knee on the questionable Soldier Field turf.
In addition to Freeman, defensive end Akiem Hicks registered a sack and safety Harold Jones-Quartey was a hard-hitting force all afternoon. But the rest of the unit looked average at best and provided very few noteworthy moments.
The Bears travel to Cleveland for their fourth and final preseason game on September 1, where the starters are likely to play little if at all so the backup and roster-bubble players can make their final pitch for a spot on the team.
