Chicago Bears Week 5 Milk Carton

For those new to the site, when a player or coach doesn’t really show up during a Bear’s game, they get put on the Milk Carton. As most of you know, people’s pictures used to be put at the back of milk cartons when they went missing. So the Milk Carton for the Bears is more about who went missing or played terribly during the game. Here are the nominees.

Again, the Chicago Bears found a creative way to lose. Again, the fans are angry. Again, the milk carton can’t go to just one person. Let’s start with the obvious.

Oct 5, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Philly Brown (16) tries to field a punt as Chicago Bears cornerback T. Williams is called for interference for the opportunity to catch in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Brown picks up the ball and scores a touchdown on the play. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Special teams- Pat O’Donnell had a few great punts today but that is it. Joe DeCamallis has to go. Today’s showing was the last straw. First, there was an illegal block in the back on a nice Holmes. Next came an idiotic fair catch interference penalty. Finally. the special teams couldn’t stop the run back. That was as pathetic as any play I’ve ever seen. Oh yeah, and Robbie Gould missed a chip shot. As I said in the season preview, the special teams will cost the Bears a game or two. Here is the first!

Offense- The first half was beautiful until a failed third and short. Then everything went to hell. The Bears couldn’t move the ball. Forte fumbled in a crucial moment. Cutler threw a Favrerian interception. Martellus Bennett and Brandon Marshall didn’t have much of an impact, and they would have come in handy. There’s a reason the Bears offense gets paid so much and they haven’t nearly lived up to the expectation this season. They have to score points, not just gain yards.

Oct 5, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) reacts after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Bears 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Defense- The defense was as frustrating as ever. I know they are only supposed to be adequate, but there’s no excuse to make literal fourth string running backs look like Walter Payton. I am not confused as to how Cam Newton, the clearly hobbling quarterback, was able to make his throws; the pressure was nonexistent again in the second half.

Overall, the first half was almost great until the failed 3rd and three. Ego Ferguson got some great tips, Isiah Frey forced a fumble, and Willie Young had a strip sack. However, once they stopped causing turnovers, the offense couldn’t do anything. I can’t put this loss directly on the defense, as they actually played decently for a lot of the game and had to deal with short fields. I guess I have to give the milk carton to head coach Marc Trestman, for not coaching his team to victory when they could have routed the opposition.

This one is going to be tough to swallow. And to make things worse, the schedule doesn’t get any easier from here.