Chicago Bears season ends same way it started

The Chicago Bears lost a lead in the fourth quarter to start their season and did it again to end their season

The Chicago Bears defense had a chance to go down as one of the best in the history of the game. They had all of the pieces to make it happen. The addition of Khalil Mack to what was already an underrated defense from 2017 gave this team a bump that many did not see coming in 2018.

However, in too many occasions the defense failed to close out games and send its team home with a win. They had a chance to do it in Week One make their statement that they were an elite, all-time defense.

The defense got after Aaron Rodgers, knocked him out of the game and established a substantial first-half lead only to see Rodgers limp out of the locker room and slowly take back the game. Rodgers made the big passes on the big downs and got the better of what should have been a defense that could lead a young quarterback to a Super Bowl.

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The defense had some downs throughout the season, but most of their lows were with Khalil Mack either banged up or on the sidelines. The defense missed Eddie Jackson no doubt, but early into the game, it looked like they could be that elite defense.

However, similarly to Week One, the defense had a lead of less than a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers, the proclaimed best quarterback in the NFL, was on the other side in Week One while Nick Foles, the Super Bowl MVP stood across from them in the Wild Card Round. One was a big catch and run to the slot, the other a quick pass to the slot at the goal line. Both saw the same results.

The offense can and will get the blame. However, if a great defense wants to be a legendary defense that gets remembered, they have to make the stops, even if that means shutting out Nick Foles. That is what makes you legendary.

At the end of the day, the Chicago Bears will head back into 2019 with a similarly great defense. They will hope that a healthier Eddie Jackson and some added pieces here and there make the difference. However, this defense came one play short of making a legendary goal-line stop that sprung this team into the next round. Unfortunately, they were one yard short of being remembered forever in 2018.

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