The Chicago Bears Have Been Terrible Capitalizing On Momentum For Over A Decade
The Chicago Bears have fallen back into the loss column after losing to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday by a final score of 19-13. In the process of the defeat, Chicago lost starting quarterback Justin Fields for potentially multiple weeks due to a thumb injury, while fans and analysts are now once again focusing on the Bears’ long-term offseason plans. Heading into the game against the Vikings, the team had all the momentum in the world on their side but once again found a way to throw it all away.
Bears Teams Since 2013 Have Been Failing to Utilize Any Momentum That Has Been On Their Side
Leading up to the Vikings game, the Bears had everything working in their favor as they were coming off their first win in nearly a year, had ten days off to prepare for the game against Minnesota, and had several key players return from injury. Despite everything working for their benefit, Chicago couldn’t do anything positive as they lost to the Vikings and looked highly unprepared. As the team prepares for their game against the Las Vegas Raiders this week, they must do so with several key offensive players likely out due to injury and the reality of their season being over before Halloween.
Sunday’s loss and inability to capitalize on any positive momentum was a stark reminder, as it has been something seen by previous Bears’ teams dating back to 2013. In Week 16 of 2013, Chicago had a chance to clinch the NFC North Division with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football after both the Lions and Packers lost surprisingly earlier in the day. With the Eagles having nothing to play for, everything lined up to be a terrific night for the Bears and the fanbase. Unfortunately, Chicago was blown out 54-11 by Philadelphia and would lose the following week to the Packers to miss out on making the playoffs.
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Two seasons later, in 2015, The Bears had a chance to make a significant push for the playoffs following a massive upset victory over the Packers on Thanksgiving Night. A win the following week against the three-win San Francisco 49ers would get Chicago to .500 with several favorable games the following weeks. The Bears would lose the game in overtime after kicker Robbie Gould missed a 36-yard game-winning field goal at the end of regulation, leading to the team losing three of their next four games.
In 2017, Chicago had a chance to get back to .500 in November with two favorable games against both the Packers and Lions at home following their bye, but once again, were unable to do anything with the positivity, losing both games. The Packers game was particularly disappointing as Green Bay All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed the contest with an injury. Against the Lions, Chicago squandered a 17-7 lead and later missed a game-tying field goal as time expired, which would have forced overtime.
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Sunday’s loss to the Vikings was eerily similar to a loss the 2021 Bears’ team had against the Baltimore Ravens in November of that season. Minnesota played the game without their best player in All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, while back in 2021, the Ravens played without MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson due to an illness. In both contests, Fields had a stellar performance the week prior but eventually left each game due to an injury.
The game against the Ravens was especially troubling because Fields, as a rookie, appeared to be making progress before succumbing to a rib injury. In the 2021 game against the Ravens, a win would have enabled the team to go on a mini-run as they played the winless Lions on Thanksgiving that following Thursday. Unfortunately, Chicago gave up a game-winning touchdown drive to backup quarterback Tyler Hundley and ultimately lost 16-13.
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Chicago Had A Chance To Change Their Long-Term Future With A Win Against The Vikings
Despite making a late push to win Sunday’s contest against Minnesota, Chicago still found a way to lose what appeared to be a very winnable game. With the loss, the Bears are in last place in the NFC North division and have yet to win a divisional game under head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles. A win would have given Chicago their first back-to-back victories since the 2021 season.
A win over the Vikings would have also sent Minnesota closer to a rebuild and roster teardown, as the team has several valuable players worth trading as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Although quarterback Kirk Cousin is unlikely to waive his no-trade clause for Minnesota, a loss to the Bears with another potential loss to the 49ers this upcoming weekend would have put a lot of pressure on the Vikings as a franchise to begin rebuilding for their future.
Having another team within the division begin a rebuild would have given the Bears a chance to improve their long-term success, as it could have provided them with at least two highly favorable games for the next two seasons. Unfortunately for Chicago, it is themselves who now must ask some serious questions about long-term roster construction, including potentially moving on from Fields as the starting quarterback. Although Chicago’s quarterback was injured in the game, a potential win would have enabled the team to get a winning streak started, as the Raiders will likely be without their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game.