The Chicago Bears suffered a 28-19 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, which extended their losing streak to six games. They’ve now lost eight consecutive games to the Packers.
The Bears led for most of the game, but they were outscored 18-3 in the second half. Chicago lost after giving up 18 points in the fourth quarter, failing to hold on to an early lead after two fourth-quarter interceptions from Justin Fields, one of which led to the Packers’ game-winning score.
Fields played through a separated left shoulder, helping the Bears take an early 16-10 lead at halftime. But in the second half, the defense was unable to stop Packers running back A.J. Dillon, who had 66 of his 93 rushing yards in the second half, along with a touchdown.
Despite the early electric play from Fields, who had a 56-yard touchdown run, the defense could not get stops. The Packers dominated the time of possession in the first half. By holding the ball for more than thirteen minutes in the second quarter, Green Bay cut the Bears’ 10-point lead to six.
Early hopes that the defense had fixed its issues in the second half were misguided. The Bears held Green Bay scoreless in the third quarter and extended their lead to nine with another Cairos Santos 28-yard field goal.
But the Bears’ fourth-quarter issues continued. Chicago continues to be a 45-minute team, and in the final quarter, they fall apart. First, the Packers blocked a 40-yard Santos field goal attempt, and then the Bears allowed Green Bay to score 18 unanswered points.
Only trailing by one point, 20-19, Fields was picked off by Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander after Bears receiver Equanimeous St. Brown ran a bad route. And after the turnover, Packers rookie receiver Christian Watson closed the door on a Bears comeback. On a three-play drive, Watson had a 19-yard reception and 48-yard rush for a touchdown to give Green Bay a 28-19 lead.
Like in Week 2, the Bears could not hold onto an early lead over the Packers. Chicago continues to struggle to finish games. The Bears have played their worst football in the fourth quarter, and their losing streak will continue until they fix that trend.
Chicago has two more games in their home stand against two tough opponents – Philadelphia and Buffalo. However, for fans excited about tanking and getting a higher draft pick, the next two games should be relatively easy for the Bears to lose.
