Chicago Bears: Missed tackles key to loss

The Chicago Bears defense let them down when they needed them the most

While the decision by Matt Nagy in overtime may be one of the bigger talking points of the week, the fact of the matter is that the Chicago Bears offense went on the road and scored 28 points. Say whatever you will about Mitch Trubisky, you have to assume that if he puts up 28 points on the road, his defense has to bring him home. That did not happen.

The Chicago Bears defense allowed 541 yards, 380 through the air and gave up eight third-down conversions to Brock Osweiler in their loss. That cannot happen.

One of the themes from arguably the first play of the game was missed tackles. A Chicago Bears defense known for swarming, and wrapping up, they did not stick to their reputation, and it cost them the game.

The Dolphins first run was to Frank Gore, who was met near the line of scrimmage, but worked for five yards. They worked the Chicago Bears down from there.

We all know the two touchdowns late in the game to blow two leads. Both came on screen passes that featured a plethora of missed tackles.

Kyle Fuller missed a tackle at the line of scrimmage on third and six, and it sprung Albert Wilson for 43 yards. The stop could have forced a punt and chance for the Bears to ice the game.

After the Bears bounced back and regained the lead, Albert Wilson once again took a pass near the line and darted off, forcing missed tackles left and right, most notable stomping through both Adrian Amos and Eddie Jackson, for 75 yards.

While those devastated the team, other contributed to the cause. Adrian Amos missed a tackle on second down and one that led to a moving of the chains. Frank Gore ran into a crowd that featured Danny Trevathan. He slipped away from Trevathan and grabbed ten and a first down.

Kevin Toliver missed a tackle that sprung a third-down conversion. Roquan Smith missed a tackle that sprung a first down on the game-winning drive. There is not a name on the defensive side of the ball that can avoid this.

On paper, few defenses can touch the Chicago Bears. However, if they are going to struggle with the simple things, they are not going to live up to their names.

Did the heat have to do with it? Sure, but they were coming off of a bye week, and the Dolphins and to deal with it too. This was a team that was not ready for the physical nature of the Miami Dolphins. It threw them off, and they struggled to pick up the intensity as the game went on.

Hopefully, this becomes a lesson learned that no matter who the quarterback, the Chicago Bears need to show up and bring their hard hats.