For much of the afternoon against the Vikings (-7.5), the Bears looked lost. That might even be an understatement. After Chicago fell behind 21-3 late in the first half, it didn’t seem like much would go right for this rag-tag group.
On offense, Justin Fields and Co. couldn’t muster up much of any consistent positivity or churn. Chicago’s mission to make a simple forward pass look like solving a Rubik’s cube continued. On defense, Kirk Cousins started 17-of-17, and the Bears seemed to somehow forget about covering All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson downfield … or anywhere on the field.
But then, this game flipped in an instant.
On the Bears’ final drive of the first half, Darnell Mooney made one of (or the best?) catch of the year:
GOOD GOD DARNELL MOONEY pic.twitter.com/6OvUrDlpef
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 9, 2022
From there, the Bears would start cooking. They were putting themselves in position of completing the largest comeback in franchise history since a famous rant by former Cardinals head coach Dennis Green:
From @ESPNStatsInfo: The Bears trailed 21-3. Chicago's last comeback victory from 18+ points down came on Oct. 16, 2006 against the Bears when they trailed by 20 points on Monday Night Football.
The birth of the "they are who we thought they were" rant.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 9, 2022
The unfortunate spin here is that the Bears probably should’ve finished the rally after scoring 19 unanswered points to take a 22-21 lead in the fourth quarter. In fact, when Justin Fields found a late seam around the edge on a would-be touchdown, it seemed like they did.
Bad news — Ihmir Smith-Marsette would be called for a block in the back that negated Fields’ electric run:
it didn't count thanks to a block in the back, but hoooooo buddddy this Justin Fields run was 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/G7Rn0xaeej
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 9, 2022
Speaking of Fields’ clutch play, despite a horrendous supporting cast, he more than came through when the Bears needed him:
Justin Fields in the 2nd half
12-13, 135 yards, TD passing
5 rush, 36 yards— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 9, 2022
Later, after the Vikings orchestrated a masterful drive to take a late 29-22 lead, the Bears looked like they’d at least push Minnesota to the very end on their final possession. A valiant fight to the end.
Unfortunately, another tough extra push — ironically from Smith-Marsette again — would doom the Bears after the receiver fumbled the ball on their gotta-have-it, two-minute drill:
GIMME THAT. CAMERON DANTZLER TAKES THE BALL AWAY FOR A W. 😤pic.twitter.com/rNWS9Tcvi2
— Football Outsiders (@fboutsiders) October 9, 2022
Oof. The rare instance where pushing forward a little harder as a football player comes back to bite you in the worst possible way.
And so, despite an impressive rally from Fields and some heart shown by the Bears in an almost astonishing comeback, they unsurprisingly shot themselves in the foot, ruining any chance for victory.
In the end, in the words of the immortal Mr. Dennis Green: The [Bears] are who we thought they were.
NFL fans couldn't believe how the Bears ruined their own epic comeback
That is completely inexcusable from Smith-Marsette. Get the hell out of bounds dude. Absolutely brutal way for the #Bears to lose the game.
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) October 9, 2022
An Ihmir Smith-Marsette turnover losing the best game of Justin Fields' season pic.twitter.com/XUoRYpLxFH
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 9, 2022
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is a double agent. He’s still playing for the Vikings. #DaBears #BearDown #Bears
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 9, 2022
Incredible that Ihmir Smith-Marsette was involved in two plays today, nullified a Bears touchdown and then cost the Bears a chance to tie right there. Crazy.
— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) October 9, 2022
whatever the opposite of revenge is… Ihmir Smith-Marsette got it on that penalty
— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) October 9, 2022
Ihmir Smith-Marsette, you just made The List. pic.twitter.com/9QPoSUqUaq
— Less Chat, More Hat (@Frustrated_Fan) October 9, 2022
Who would have figured that waiving Ihmir Smith-Marsette would have turned out to be this great of a move for the Vikings.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) October 9, 2022
Why is the ball even being thrown to Ihmir Smith-Marsette
— Shane Riordan (@shane_riordan) October 9, 2022
Ihmir Smith-Marsette is an internal agent sent by Minnesota to throw the game and I refuse to believe anything else.
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) October 9, 2022
