Studs & Duds in Chicago

[OldSchool101]

@OldSchool101

If they get to the 6, it's 4th and 2. I think he takes the points since it's the 2nd quarter.

The end around to Reed was just a bad call, that was not the time or place to call that play. Not to mention, it hasn't worked in weeks. He never tried it last week against the Lions, but he just couldn't help himself today...

This is the primary point I was trying to make. That play is what forced a difficult throw.
3rd and 4 opens up the playbook some.
Getting in 3rd and 11 is a recipe for failure down in the Redzone. 3rd n 11 is hard enough anywhere on the field much less against that audience. They are one of the best Redzone Defender at their house. Knowing our opponent would help our Playcaller

 

[DoURant]

This is the primary point I was trying to make. That play is what forced a difficult throw.
3rd and 4 opens up the playbook some.
Getting in 3rd and 11 is a recipe for failure down in the Redzone. 3rd n 11 is hard enough anywhere on the field much less against that audience. They are one of the best Redzone Defender at their house. Knowing our opponent would help our Playcaller

Yes sir, that 3 play sequence went from bad to worse to dreadful

 

[OldSchool101]

Yes sir, that 3 play sequence went from bad to worse to dreadful

We both have high expectations for our team. But those drives are reasonable fixes with points.

Only difference I think we’re 3-5 contests of a healthy Love before things open up. Similar to last year, but slightly sooner. This is the very first game Love looked 95%+
My guess? We’re 2-4 weeks to go to get some continuity.

 

[DoURant]

We both have high expectations for our team. But those drives are reasonable fixes with points.

Only difference I think we’re 3-5 contests of a healthy Love before things open up. Similar to last year, but slightly sooner. This is the very first game Love looked 95%+
My guess? We’re 2-4 weeks to go to get some continuity.

I agree, he has been injured all year, and this was the healthiest he looked since week one. Aside for that pick, I thought he looked good today, and had some zip when he needed it.

 

[OldSchool101]

I agree, he has been injured all year, and this was the healthiest he looked since week one. Aside for that pick, I thought he looked good today, and had some zip when he needed it.

What’s crazy is we are able to do much of the heavy lifting on Offense (putting ourselves in scoring position). For whatever reason we often cant put the finishing touches on drives.

One thing we seem to be missing is using our TE in the Endzone. We used to be good at utilizing them better to finish drives. Kinda use your more physical players. Quarless, Richard Rodgers, Marcedes, Tonyan. Just TE seemed more involved down there. Also the FB like John Kuhn was always good at getting that tough 2 yards.

The plays with 3rd n 1 etc. I love when Tuckers comes in motion for a direct snap and just bullies for 2 yards. Hard to stop a 258lb RB with a direct snap. Mix it up but have a few designed plays that aren’t so predictable

 

[OldSchool101]

I’m looking for the positive here. It was a tough game to watch because we really could’ve lost against what was a struggling team. That said, our ST stepped up with a Block. Karl Brooks literally saved the day with the equivalent of a game sealing INT.

Stud:
Christian Watson.
I’m often ******* Watson because I have high expectations for a guy with his physical makeup and draft expenditure. Today he impressed with his highest career yardage total.

Brenton Cox.
Ok. It did look like he benefited from a breakdown on the OL. However he capitalized on it. He came in with some attitude and didn’t look out of place in His first meaningful snaps

Josh Jacobs.
He really proved himself today. I wondered if he would maintain Aaron Jones like production because he’s essentially his successor. He seems to be answering that question. I love his durability and endurance.

 

[Thirteen Below]

Sequence of the interception was more frustrating than not going for the 3. 2nd and 1 then a play is called that ends up resulting in illegal receiver down field, some garbage wide sweep run by Reed then the pick. Had a chance to go up 14-3 and drive just disintegrates.

I'm pretty sure that was at least the 5th time this season that a stupid penalty on an early down led to a desperation interception by Love - if not the 6th. I haven't been counting since the very beginning of the season, but I started keeping track a few weeks back, and I'm interested enough that at some point I'll set aside an hour or two (well, more likely three or four) and go through footage of every INT this season. Just out of curiosity, because I suspect there are more.

This is one of the things that people don't talk about much, but it's definitely a significant downstream consequence of so many of the lazy, sloppy, undisciplined offensive penalties that teams sometimes take. Especially our team, apparently.

Offensive penalties immediately turn a 2nd and short or 3rd and short into a 2nd and long or 3rd and long. Which in turn invariably changes the next play call into something a lot riskier - instead of needing 2 or 3 yards to move the chains and keep the drive going, this next play suddenly needs 12 or 13. It completely disrupts the entire sequence of plays that the OC has planned for the drive, because now they're much more likely to lean toward pass plays or other plays that are a lot more risky. Instead of moving the ball steadily, they're playing catch-up.

These penalties put a quarterback into a bad position, forcing him to make choices that he'd rather not have to make. Instead of taking short, safe checkdowns to keep the chains moving, he's more likely to force a longer pass into coverage to avoid a punt. And he's statistically more likely to throw interceptions on those plays.

And it's not just on that particular drive. When a quarterback gets used to thinking that his linemen are always just a snap away from committing some stupid penalty, he's often going to place a priority on getting the most out of every play that he possibly can. He becomes more likely to take more risks to keep a drive going, not be as patient and willing to throw it away and try again on the next snap.

These dumb penalties (and dumb playcalls) that stall drives put Love into a very bad position, where he feels he has to do a lot more on his own instead of trusting the system or his teammates.

 

[rmontro]

MLF in a close game take the damn pts. Had we gotten those 3 pts the Bears would have needed a TD.

I know it's a fad these days to go for the touchdown, but that sounds like common sense. Maybe MLF thinks Carlson is still our kicker.

 

[Half Empty]

Gee, outside that one pick I thought he played pretty well.

"Other than that, Mrs., Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"

 

[GBkrzygrl]

Studs: Brooks, Watson, Jacobs, Wilson and Reed. Offense played better.

Duds: Love 1/2 dud for throwing interception. Defense not keeping Williams contained.

 

[Guacamole]

we all know who the studs and duds are and MLF will be a dud again next week

 

[OldSchool101]

This is one of the things that people don't talk about much, but it's definitely a significant downstream consequence of so many of the lazy, sloppy, undisciplined offensive penalties that teams sometimes take. Especially our team, apparently.

I second and third this. It’s not going to eliminate all INT here. However we have to dig a little deeper into why we are putting ourselves in adverse conditions. I’m not suggesting that Jordan doesn’t own some responsibility either. His part in fixing this INT issue is undeniable.
It reminds me of car accidents. They say it’s almost guaranteed it’s not just 1 factor. It’s 3 or more conditions that intersected to cause the mistake. You don’t have to fix all 4 conditions immediately. You do need to elimate the most damaging condition and mitigate at least 1 or 2 others to avoid the damaging consequences of their joint combustion.

I recall Brady on an unrelated play. He was saying “you CAN’T take a - Negative play here. It’s where you take 3 extra seconds in the huddle to remind these guys not to line up wrong, don’t jump early and be set on the snap. Do that until it’s habit

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I may have missed someone else mentioning it but WTF is MLF doing calling timeouts while on defense at the end of the first and second half of this game?

I understand that strategy when the opponent appears to be stalling out and you could get the ball back, with enough time to score. However, yesterday, that was absolutely not the case at the end of either half. The Packer offense was not going to get the ball back, unless the Bears decided to be dumb and use their own timeouts, scored a TD or gave the ball away.

Giving the Bear offense and coaches time to catch their breaths, think strategy and not have to rush between plays was just lunacy to me. It also gave the Bears the ability to run more plays and pick up more yards, which they did.

Seriously MLF? You need to pass over the offense to a capable OC and if you are going to also manage the clock and timeouts, do it correctly!

 

[tynimiller]

Just an observation...

Watson today did nothing different than he seriously has all year - fact is Love just happened to throw him the ball a few times. Watson has looked great in and out of his breaks all year, has made solid separation, and often times has pulled coverages his way to open up stuff under...not too mention he blocks his *** off. Yards are great and he made some IMPACT plays, but this is what he has been all year IMO.

I get it though, many just look at boxscores and statlines and nothing more.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Duds, Refs for once again not being consistent.

While I understood the late nudge of Caleb Williams out of bounds being called on the Packers. I believe it was a series or 2 later that Jacobs was hit even harder, further out of bounds, and no call.

Is there a double standard when it comes to QB's being nudged out of bounds? There is a little think called momentum and when you have a player fighting for more yards along the sidelines and a defender is flying in, trying to prevent those extra yards, let the fricking play carry out!.

 

[tynimiller]

Duds, Refs for once again not being consistent.

While I understood the late nudge of Caleb Williams out of bounds being called on the Packers. I believe it was a series or 2 later that Jacobs was hit even harder, further out of bounds, and no call.

Is there a double standard when it comes to QB's being nudged out of bounds? There is a little think called momentum and when you have a player fighting for more yards along the sidelines and a defender is flying in, trying to prevent those extra yards, let the fricking play carry out!.

Yes of course QBs are under a more watchful eye - shoot we had a QB by the name of Aaron Rodgers here that got some BS roughing the passer calls likely just because of who he was to be honest.

 

[gopkrs]

Just an observation...

Watson today did nothing different than he seriously has all year - fact is Love just happened to throw him the ball a few times. Watson has looked great in and out of his breaks all year, has made solid separation, and often times has pulled coverages his way to open up stuff under...not too mention he blocks his *** off. Yards are great and he made some IMPACT plays, but this is what he has been all year IMO.

He's looked very good catching the ball and his concentration has been excellent. Probably need to get it to him a bit more.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Just an observation...

Watson today did nothing different than he seriously has all year - fact is Love just happened to throw him the ball a few times. Watson has looked great in and out of his breaks all year, has made solid separation, and often times has pulled coverages his way to open up stuff under...not too mention he blocks his *** off. Yards are great and he made some IMPACT plays, but this is what he has been all year IMO.

Was thinking the same thing. We saw Willis hit Watson for a 30 and 37 yarder in the Titans game. What did it accomplish besides the yardage? It drew the safety over to help out the corner, anytime Watson took off down field.

As you (@tynimiller) have mentioned many times in the past when talking about MVS, a speedy deep threat can help to spread out the defense. The trick is, you have to have that speed guy, he has to have good range to catch a ball and you have to go to the play more than once every 4 or 5 games. Maybe MLF and the brain trust will get together and dial up Watson deep more often.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Yes of course QBs are under a more watchful eye - shoot we had a QB by the name of Aaron Rodgers here that got some BS roughing the passer calls likely just because of who he was to be honest.

I understand that when a QB is in the pocket. However, when a QB becomes a runner, he should be treated no different than a RB or receiver with the ball.

 

[Krabs]

Studs: Watson and Jacobs
In between: Love came through with some big plays. He needs to get rid of the carelessness with the ball. These turnovers will cost the Pack.
Duds: MLF: Why not run it on the drive where Love gets picked? No the situation and take the points. Not taking the 3 points later and going on 4th was a huge mistake. I know math is hard. Running it on the 2 point try. Basically, it limits you to that player. Passing would allow Love to make a play with his feet or hit 3-4 receivers running routes. The jet sweeps just need to stop. Every team is ready for them.
Defense overall: Bears were 3/3 on 4th down. They ran 68 plays to the Packers 43. The D routinely could not get off the field.

 

[rmontro]

I recall Brady on an unrelated play. He was saying “you CAN’T take a - Negative play here. It’s where you take 3 extra seconds in the huddle to remind these guys not to line up wrong, don’t jump early and be set on the snap. Do that until it’s habit

This Brady person sounds like he might know a thing or two.

 

[Pugger]

"Other than that, Mrs., Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"

IMO Love shouldn't have been out there trying to convert the 4th down play in the first place. We should have kicked it instead. IMO you take the points, especially on the road. There are times to be aggressive but not there or in the 4th quarter when Matt passed on a chip shot. And I'm not going to crucify Love over one INT. He did come back with some great throws and grit. Like he said in his presser - he left everything he had out on the field yesterday. What more can you ask for in a player?

 

[JKramer64]

In addition to the previously mentioned studs, I'll give one to Love. When the game was on the line, he drove the team for the game winner. 4:13 left, ball on the 22 and he got the job done. Overall, he was 13/17 for 260 yds. Yes, it was a bad INT. At least it wasn't a bad decision, just an overthrow and those happen. Love is getting paid big money to win games like that in crunch time and he earned it yesterday.

The defense as a whole was the dud. Ineffective pass rush and not maintaining rush lanes to allow Williams to escape the pocket. The secondary is a mess without Alexander. Nixon has no business playing boundary corner. Bears were over 50% on third down and 3/3 on fourth. I blame Gutey for not shoring up the CB depth. Alexander can no longer stay healthy and Stokes can't even get on the field now.

The team showed some improvement in cleaning up mistakes. 3 penalties, 1 drop and better QB play. But the defensive issues are not fixable. They lack the talent on that side of the ball. Clark is a shell of himself. Gary is underachieving, as is Quay Walker. The Packers should make the playoffs but this defense will be their doom.

 

[Magooch]

Yes, it was a bad INT. At least it wasn't a bad decision, just an overthrow and those happen. Love is getting paid big money to win games like that in crunch time and he earned it yesterday.

I think this is a big thing that needs emphasized. Brady brought up the same thing during the broadcast - it wasn't a bad decision but rather bad technique. Obviously you'd like to see both cleaned up but all things being equal I'd say it's better to have a "right decision, wrong execution" interception than one that comes solely from making the wrong decision. Sometimes throws get away from you. Love has at times a tendency to throw off his back leg and not get totally planted quite right and it bit him here. I do still wonder if there's not some degree of injury compensation at play here too.

I dunno, all that to say, maybe I'm overthinking it a bit, but I wasn't too mad about it. Obviously it was a hugely pivotal play (14-pt swing), but I think he had the right idea with the throw. I guess you can say that for 55m a year you expect those throws to be hit every time, but on the other hand I consider that far, FAR better than some of the previous absolutely braindead bad-decision INTs we saw in previous weeks like vs Detroit or LA.

 

[OldSchool101]

Just an observation...

Watson today did nothing different than he seriously has all year - fact is Love just happened to throw him the ball a few times. Watson has looked great in and out of his breaks all year, has made solid separation, and often times has pulled coverages his way to open up stuff under...not too mention he blocks his *** off. Yards are great and he made some IMPACT plays, but this is what he has been all year IMO.

I get it though, many just look at boxscores and statlines and nothing more.

I only partially disagree. Because I think you mean this as a compliment though, from a reverse viewpoint. Let me show you why this game was not usual if I may?

In games that Watson has been targeted (8 contests in ‘24) he averaged 3.85 targets per game. Yesterday he had 4 targets, so, in fact, he was not targeted more than normal. However he caught 4/4 and it’s only the 2nd game in 2024 (Tennessee 2/2) where Watson was 100% reception rate. Here it was on a bigger sample though as maybe you suggested. So this is his best performance in 2024 by a mile.

They weren’t just ordinary either. A couple of catches he made were nothing short of fantastic, like highlight reel stuff. Then to top it off he set his career high in yardage, which is a really important mark for a WR. We (fans) beat him up when he’s down, me included. I just want to make sure he’s properly recognized. Without Christian Watson yesterday elevating his game?
we lose this one.

What I like was this was different. He took the whole “no drops” thing personal. He just wasn’t going to be stopped on Sunday. Multiple drives, multiple big plays. Last one was at a critical time and it was pretty special how he laid out, but still was able to cradle it He’s my Mega-Stud!

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