Bills Defeat Bears 23-20: The Morning After

Sep 7, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (10) makes a catch with Chicago Bears free safety Chris Conte (47) defending during the second half at Soldier Field. Buffalo won 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Bears fans, it happened. The Bears lost their home-opener to a hungry Bills team. I know you’re bitter. I know you’re angry. There’s quite a lot of blame to go around. But, we should talk about it.

DEFENSIVELY: It was definitely a heart-breaker. And, more than anything, it was familiar. I was having flashbacks of the defensive mess showcased by the Bears in 2013. As David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune points out in his post-game article: “What happened to the newly revamped defensive line that gave up 193 rushing yards?” 

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Jared Allen was almost nonexistent. Jay Ratliff and Stephen Paea were nowhere to be found. The lone bright spot was Willie Young, he was consistently generating pressure, and amassed four total tackles and a sack. I can honestly say the play of the linebacking corps was more concerning than the play of the safety position. Ryan Mundy was solid. He was flying around the field. Chris Conte had a decent game, as well. Don’t forget, he made the interception that led to the Brandon Marshall game-tying touchdown.

But, of the four linebackers that played, they tallied a measly eight tackles. Seriously. Look it up. That’s absolutely atrocious. Lance Briggs looked like a shell of his former self. Jon Bostic looked lost out there, missing assignments left and right. And D.J. Williams? Completely invisible. The Bears linebackers could not clean up simple assignments.

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