9 Postgame thoughts following the Bears 31-30 loss to the Lions

The Chicago Bears are clearly lacking some talent in key areas

Thought No. 3: The WR usage by the Bears is somewhat perplexing

Speaking of receivers, N’Keal Harry joined Velus Jones on the inactive list — allowing Byron Pringle to be active today. The top active receivers during the game were Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Dante Pettis.

Harry joining Jones as the odd man out is very interesting. I thought St. Brown was going to lose playing time after a dropped pass on fourth down against Miami. However, it seems the Bears value his run-blocking more than his receiving skills.

As for Claypool, the coaching staff must figure out a way to get him more involved. He needs to develop chemistry with Fields not only for the rest of this season but also during the offseason like Fields did with Darnell Mooney.

Thought No. 4: Luke Getsy does not call a perfect game

As great as offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has been ever since the mini-bye, I had two issues with his play calling today.

The first one came on their opening drive when they faced 3rd-and-14 at the Detroit 19. David Montgomery picked up four yards and the Chicago Bears settle for a field goal. It seems like Getsy gets very conservative whenever the Bears face third-and-long.

Then with the Chicago Bears holding on to a lead late in the fourth quarter after an incredible touchdown run by Justin Fields, the Bears’ defense forced a rare three-and-out. However, they quickly went three-and-out themselves after what looked to be a very conservative effort in their next to last possession.

After the Lions took over from their own nine-yard line, they marched down the field and promptly scored a touchdown, capping off an eight-play, 91-yard drive.

Is Matt Eberflus influencing how the offense is being called on certain downs like third-and-long on their opening drive that they settled for the field goal? What’s the point of emphasizing the development of Justin Fields when you are holding him back?

Going conservative late in the ball game and expecting the defense to make a stop is a disaster waiting to happen with this defense. It’s about time Eberflus figured it out by now.

Thought No. 5: The Chicago Bears defense is not producing as expected

Defense coordinator Alan Williams made a questionable decision to deploy the soft zone coverage that produced much like we saw last week against the Miami Dolphins. The Chicago Bears allowed the Lions to convert on third down throughout the game as the defense offered little to no resistance.

The major culprit to the defensive ineptness has been their defensive line and their inability to produce any decent amount of pressure.

After notching 1.5 sacks in the first few weeks, rookie Dominique Robinson has hit a wall. Hold over Trevis Gipson, coming off seven sacks a year ago has two sacks against Green Bay in Week 2, but has done nothing ever since then.

Al-Quadin Muhammad, who recorded six sacks last year and was signed because of his knowledge of Eberflus’ system from their days with the Colts, has been nonexistent. And Armon Watts, who was added after he was cut by the Vikings before the start of the regular season, has no sacks after he had five last year.

Currently, rookie safety Jaquan Brisker leads the team with three sacks.

I wish the reporters and beat writers start questioning both Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams more about how the defense is being coached and why Watts and Muhammad have not been able to build on their performance from a year ago.

Thought No. 6: Special teams unit costs the Chicago Bears once again

Once again, the special teams picked the wrong time to cost the team a victory. Last week, Khalil Herbert whiffed on a block and allowed a punt block returned for a touchdown. This time, Cairo Santos botched an extra point after the electrifying touchdown run by Fields, which took some air out of the excitement. He also kicked the ball out of bounce after the touchdown earlier.

Santos has been reliable after missing two extra points in a monsoon game against San Francisco. Because of the weather condition that day, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. And he has been solid ever since.

It does not look like he suffered any injury before or during the game. Still, despite his poor performance last Sunday, I will give him the benefit of the doubt.