Chicago Bears Embarrassed in 54-11 Loss to Philadelphia Eagles
Dec 22, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bears kick returner Devin Hester (23) runs back a kickoff during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Slooooww Start
The Bears were down 21-0 before most people had settled into their seats; before Jay Cutler had even attempted a pass. The Bears went 3-and-out, Adam Podlesh shanked a 25-yard punt and the Eagles marched 6 plays in 2:59 to go up 3-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Devin Hester coughed up a fumble and the Eagles cashed in again, this time going 5 plays in 1:58 to extend the lead to 14-0. On the next drive, the Bears handed it twice to Matt Forte before Jay Cutler went incomplete to Martellus Bennett and the Bears punted again. This time, Nick Foles needed 10 plays, including a 4th down conversion, to score and go up 21-zip. This ain’t the Cleveland Browns guys.
Historically Bad
The 54 points that the Bears gave up were the second most in team history. The only time they gave up more was the double nickel they gave up to the Lions in ’97. The 43 point margin of defeat is the 4th worst loss since 1940. That’s a lot of games. The 5840 yards the Bears have given up through 15 games are the most yards the Bears defense has given up in team history. This is the charter franchise in the league, around since 1920. And the Packers await to add to that total.
Bullrushed
The Eagles just plain bullrushed the Bears on both sides of the ball. The Bears gave up 5 sacks, a season worst. Jay Cutler was under duress all night. It doesn’t excuse his miserable performance, but the offensive line picked a heck of a night to check out.
On offense, the Eagles gained 293 yards rushing. You read that right; the Eagles gained nearly 300 yard on the ground. They had a pair of 100 yard rushers. Chris Conte continued to take horrible angles and served as little more than a speed bump for Eagles running attack.
Tale of the Tape
Dec 22, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) calls out instructions during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Cutler finished the night going 20 for 35 for 222 yards with 1 TD and the requisite pick-6. Matt Forte was held to 29 yards rushing and 54 yards overall. Martellus Bennett led all Bears receivers with 85 receiving yards.
On the other side, Nick Foles went 21 for 25 for 230 yards with 2 TD’s. LeSean McCoy had 133 yards rushing with 2 TD’s and Bryce Brown added 115 and another TD. Chris Polk (who?) added a TD of his own. Garbage.
In the battle of first year head coaches, Marc Trestman got taken to the wood shed by Chip Kelly. The Bears looked ill-prepared across the board. Word out of the locker room is that the Bears were scoreboard watching before they took the field. Maybe they let their guard down? Maybe they should have been studying their game plans rather than watching the Lions and Packer lose?
I’ve had enough for tonight. The big question is whether Aaron Rodgers will play or won’t. With the way the defense is playing, it might not matter.
Tune back in to Bear Goggles On for more on this abysmal performance and the outlook for the NFC North title game, moved back to 3:25 CST next Sunday with everything on the line.
Keep your heads up and…