Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
CHICAGO -- No one should spend time celebrating Chicago for its mini-comeback Sunday at Soldier Field, one that allowed a blowout loss to appear somewhat less painful on the final scoreboard. The Bears got the living daylights beat out of them at home Sunday in a game that should call into question the viability of their organization from top to bottom.
Arizona led 34-7 early in the fourth quarter before the Bears closed the gap with two quick touchdowns. But Kurt Warner’s fifth touchdown pass of the game sealed the Cardinals’ victory with 4:30 remaining.
The Bears had no answer for the Cardinals’ passing game and gave up more than three times as many rushing yards (182) as Arizona has averaged on a per-game basis this season. The Bears offense was one-dimensional from the start, all but ignoring the running game, and even their normally-reliable special teams made a critical error.
Most alarming to me was the relative willingness with which the Bears seemed to accept their fate. A few players were mildly enthusiastic during the mini-comeback, but otherwise the team was totally flat in a key November game. It’s fair to ask, for the second time in three weeks, why coach Lovie Smith’s team seemed so ill-prepared.
Two weeks ago, you’ll remember, the Bears absorbed a 45-10 loss at Cincinnati. This stretch has dropped the Bears to 4-4 and a full three games behind Minnesota in the NFC North. They need to find answers quickly. They’re running out of time.
CHICAGO -- No one should spend time celebrating Chicago for its mini-comeback Sunday at Soldier Field, one that allowed a blowout loss to appear somewhat less painful on the final scoreboard. The Bears got the living daylights beat out of them at home Sunday in a game that should call into question the viability of their organization from top to bottom.
Arizona led 34-7 early in the fourth quarter before the Bears closed the gap with two quick touchdowns. But Kurt Warner’s fifth touchdown pass of the game sealed the Cardinals’ victory with 4:30 remaining.
The Bears had no answer for the Cardinals’ passing game and gave up more than three times as many rushing yards (182) as Arizona has averaged on a per-game basis this season. The Bears offense was one-dimensional from the start, all but ignoring the running game, and even their normally-reliable special teams made a critical error.
Most alarming to me was the relative willingness with which the Bears seemed to accept their fate. A few players were mildly enthusiastic during the mini-comeback, but otherwise the team was totally flat in a key November game. It’s fair to ask, for the second time in three weeks, why coach Lovie Smith’s team seemed so ill-prepared.
Two weeks ago, you’ll remember, the Bears absorbed a 45-10 loss at Cincinnati. This stretch has dropped the Bears to 4-4 and a full three games behind Minnesota in the NFC North. They need to find answers quickly. They’re running out of time.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and daughter.
NFC NORTH SCOREBOARD
Sunday, 11/22
8:20 PM ET Philadelphia Chicago Final Cleveland 37 Detroit 38 Final San Francisco 24 Green Bay 30 Final Seattle 9 Minnesota 35