Post by riczaj01 on Nov 27, 2016 17:43:58 GMT -6
www.profootballweekly.com/2016/11/27/3-and-out-drops-and-missed-opportunities-prevent-chicago-bears-from-comeback-victory-over-titans/ag82psp/
Bears rallied, but left too many points on the field in their ninth loss of 2016
By KEVIN FISHBAIN — kfishbain@profootballweekly.com
Published: Nov. 27, 2016 — 5:12 p.m.Updated: Nov. 27, 2016 — 5:15 p.m.
3 quotes
1. “The results are wins and losses, and the results have not been good. But just as I told the team, it was a pretty gritty, hard-fought game to get back into it.” – Bears coach John Fox
2. “I have no idea. I guess it’s just coincidence. This group doesn’t drop balls. That was the first time we ever came out and performed like that.” – Bears receiver Deonte Thompson
3. “I’m not going to lie, when I made the hit, I was just hoping I wasn’t going to hear the crowd explode. When I didn’t hear the crowd explode, I just got up and was extremely happy we got the win.” Titans safety Kevin Byard on the fourth-and-goal play
3 things that worked
1. Fourth-quarter Barkley: In a pass-heavy fourth, Barkley almost rallied the Bears for a win. He completed 18 of 33 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns in the quarter. The 33 pass attempts tied Steve DeBerg for second-most throws in a quarter all-time. Barkley had a 94.3 rating in the quarter, which would have been much higher were it not for several key drops.
2. Feeding Howard: A mainstay in this section each week, Jordan Howard’s outstanding rookie season continues. He had 18 carries for 84 yards, averaging
4.7 yards a touch. He also had 43 receiving yards on three receptions.
3. Containing Murray: The Titans’ lead back was held to 2.5 yards a pop on his 17 carries, finishing with only 43 yards and a long of 10 yards. Murray was effective as a receiver with five catches for 41 yards.
3 that didn’t
1. Red-zone offense: The Bears were 3 for 6 in the red zone, including two Barkley interceptions and then the final drive, which resulted in four incomplete passes (including two drops). Those three possessions not only ended without a touchdown, but the Bears left the red zone without any points, same as their first drive, which got to Tennessee’s 33-yard line before they turned it over on downs.
2. Drops: It was a brutal day for the hands of the Bears’ receivers, as they couldn’t hang on to Barkley passes throughout the afternoon. No drop was more crucial than Josh Bellamy’s, when he was wide open in the end zone to tie the score in final minute. Deonte Thompson couldn’t snag Barkley’s pass on fourth-and-goal, either.
3. First-half defense: Marcus Mariota was incredibly efficient in the first half, completing 10 of 14 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, good for a blistering passer rating of 142.6. The Titans had 86 rushing yards in the first half and 21 points, but were held to only two field goals after halftime.
3 moments that mattered
1. Barkley’s second pick: A surprise onside kick recovery gave the Bears life to open the second half and they drove to the Titans’ 5-yard line and faced a third-and-goal. Barkley was flushed out of the pocket and thought Cameron Meredith had enough depth to float it to the back of the end zone, but Da’Norris Searcy picked off the pass, leaving the Bears empty-handed.
2. Goldman’s stop: The Titans attempted a shovel pass to Murray on third-and-2 with 2:10 left in the game. The nose tackle, returning to the lineup after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury, showed quite the agility and recognition to stop Murray short of the first, giving the offense a chance.
3. Bellamy’s drop: A miraculous comeback was about to be complete, as Bellamy stood in the end zone without a Titans DB in sight with 47 seconds left and the Bears down by six. Barkley made the pass, but Bellamy dropped it. Three plays (and another drop) later, and the rally ended, dropping the Bears to 2-9.
What now?
Record: 2-9
What it means: It’s the Bears’ worst start to a season since they opened the 1997 campaign with a 1-10 mark.
What’s next? A home game against the only NFC team worse than the Bears: the 1-10 49ers.
Bears rallied, but left too many points on the field in their ninth loss of 2016
By KEVIN FISHBAIN — kfishbain@profootballweekly.com
Published: Nov. 27, 2016 — 5:12 p.m.Updated: Nov. 27, 2016 — 5:15 p.m.
3 quotes
1. “The results are wins and losses, and the results have not been good. But just as I told the team, it was a pretty gritty, hard-fought game to get back into it.” – Bears coach John Fox
2. “I have no idea. I guess it’s just coincidence. This group doesn’t drop balls. That was the first time we ever came out and performed like that.” – Bears receiver Deonte Thompson
3. “I’m not going to lie, when I made the hit, I was just hoping I wasn’t going to hear the crowd explode. When I didn’t hear the crowd explode, I just got up and was extremely happy we got the win.” Titans safety Kevin Byard on the fourth-and-goal play
3 things that worked
1. Fourth-quarter Barkley: In a pass-heavy fourth, Barkley almost rallied the Bears for a win. He completed 18 of 33 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns in the quarter. The 33 pass attempts tied Steve DeBerg for second-most throws in a quarter all-time. Barkley had a 94.3 rating in the quarter, which would have been much higher were it not for several key drops.
2. Feeding Howard: A mainstay in this section each week, Jordan Howard’s outstanding rookie season continues. He had 18 carries for 84 yards, averaging
4.7 yards a touch. He also had 43 receiving yards on three receptions.
3. Containing Murray: The Titans’ lead back was held to 2.5 yards a pop on his 17 carries, finishing with only 43 yards and a long of 10 yards. Murray was effective as a receiver with five catches for 41 yards.
3 that didn’t
1. Red-zone offense: The Bears were 3 for 6 in the red zone, including two Barkley interceptions and then the final drive, which resulted in four incomplete passes (including two drops). Those three possessions not only ended without a touchdown, but the Bears left the red zone without any points, same as their first drive, which got to Tennessee’s 33-yard line before they turned it over on downs.
2. Drops: It was a brutal day for the hands of the Bears’ receivers, as they couldn’t hang on to Barkley passes throughout the afternoon. No drop was more crucial than Josh Bellamy’s, when he was wide open in the end zone to tie the score in final minute. Deonte Thompson couldn’t snag Barkley’s pass on fourth-and-goal, either.
3. First-half defense: Marcus Mariota was incredibly efficient in the first half, completing 10 of 14 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns, good for a blistering passer rating of 142.6. The Titans had 86 rushing yards in the first half and 21 points, but were held to only two field goals after halftime.
3 moments that mattered
1. Barkley’s second pick: A surprise onside kick recovery gave the Bears life to open the second half and they drove to the Titans’ 5-yard line and faced a third-and-goal. Barkley was flushed out of the pocket and thought Cameron Meredith had enough depth to float it to the back of the end zone, but Da’Norris Searcy picked off the pass, leaving the Bears empty-handed.
2. Goldman’s stop: The Titans attempted a shovel pass to Murray on third-and-2 with 2:10 left in the game. The nose tackle, returning to the lineup after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury, showed quite the agility and recognition to stop Murray short of the first, giving the offense a chance.
3. Bellamy’s drop: A miraculous comeback was about to be complete, as Bellamy stood in the end zone without a Titans DB in sight with 47 seconds left and the Bears down by six. Barkley made the pass, but Bellamy dropped it. Three plays (and another drop) later, and the rally ended, dropping the Bears to 2-9.
What now?
Record: 2-9
What it means: It’s the Bears’ worst start to a season since they opened the 1997 campaign with a 1-10 mark.
What’s next? A home game against the only NFC team worse than the Bears: the 1-10 49ers.
