The Chicago Bears Magical Season Comes to an End
The Chicago Bears took on the Los Angeles Rams in a Divisional Round matchup on Sunday night at Soldier Field. The Rams kicked things off first with an interception of quarterback Caleb Williams in the Bears’ first drive of the game. Quarterback Matthew Stafford took his offense down the field and helped provide the Rams’ first points of the game with a four-yard rushing touchdown from running back Kyren Williams. It didn’t take long for the Bears to respond, however, kicking off the second quarter with a three-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver D.J. Moore. Both teams ended the quarter with late field goals, sending the game tied 10-10 at halftime. Both offenses went quiet in the third quarter, with impressive performances from both defenses keeping their respective team in the game. The Rams finally broke the offensive silence in the fourth quarter, with Williams' second rushing touchdown of the game. Putting Chicago in a familiar situation they’ve been in all season long, they were left with one final drive to tie the game with two minutes remaining. On fourth down and their final play, Williams threw one of the most impressive touchdowns in playoff history, a pass where he threw far behind his line of scrimmage and somehow into the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown to tight end Cole Kmet. This sent the game into overtime, where the Rams recorded their third interception of the game, which ultimately led to a game-winning field goal from Harrison Mevis.
The Bears Will Be Back
The heartbreaking loss may be devastating for Bears fans now, but they have plenty to get excited over. Head coach Ben Johnson, in his first season, was able to earn 11 wins in the regular season, win the division, and win a playoff game. The result may not be what the city wanted, but it’s a fantastic start to what should be a lot of winning years for the Bears. The culture has changed, with every player being bought into Ben Johnson’s leadership and desires for this team. Williams had an all-star jump from last season, ending his year with over 5,000 total yards, 34 total touchdowns, and seven game-winning drives. His performance is only scratching the surface, with the offense just in year one of learning Ben Johnson’s play sheet. There’s also a lot of talk about potential offseason additions to the team.
What Upgrades Are Needed in Chicago?
The defensive pass rushers have been the Bears’ biggest problem all season, with not a lot of quarterback pressure. Defensive end Maxx Crosby is looking for a new team, and the perfect fit for the Bears’ new identity and culture. The Bears may need to be willing to give up something back, however, with potentially Moore being the most ideal candidate. Fixing their defensive line and adding more depth to their defensive back room are their biggest keys this offseason, with plenty of options to choose from. The season may be over for Chicago, but the Ben Johnson era has just begun for the Bears. He was able to prove that his coaching style works and that he’s able to lead a team even if they don’t have the most talent in the NFL. They’ll be a key team to keep an eye on, and Bears fans should be excited for what’s next.
