5 thoughts following the Chicago Bears 27-24 loss to Atlanta

Another week, another loss for the Chicago Bears. This time in a close matchup with the Atlanta Falcons that finished with a final score of 27-24. The game looked very similar to the two prior losses. The offense scored early, the defense can’t stop anyone, a special teams gaffe that changed the game, and once again the offense can’t do anything in their final possession.

Unfortunately, the Chicago Bears lost more than a game against the Falcons. Justin Fields suffered a shoulder injury that has Bears fans on the edge less than 24 hours later. His injury will no doubt impact the Bears. If he has to miss several games, then backup Trevor Siemian has to start and the offense will look dramatically different without Fields.

It’s a thought that no Bears fan wants to entertain, but this is what happens when the offensive line continues to struggle in pass protection and the receivers are better at run blocking than getting open. In the end, Fields ultimately paid the price.

Here are my thoughts after the Chicago Bears loss to the Falcons on Sunday

Thought No.1: If Justin Fields is out, it will have a significant impact on the Chicago Bears offense

The coaching malpractice by Luke Getsy on the final offensive possession yesterday puts the Bears’ season in peril. If the injury is deemed serious, then he must sit out the next game against the New York Jets, which has a strong pass rush of their own.

Perhaps he should also sit out the following game against Green Bay, followed by their late-season bye week. That will give him three weeks to recover and allow the medical staff to evaluate how he’s progressed heading into the final four weeks. Unless the Bears decide to put him on injured reserve (IR), which means he will miss at least four games.

There is no question Getsy has done a great job adjusting his scheme to the personnel. The production has gone up significantly since the New England game. That is why his play calling on the final possession was so baffling and head-scratching.

For the third consecutive game, the offense failed on a two-minute drill — putting a huge onus on Getsy. It will be even more difficult to evaluate the offense without Fields in the lineup because he is a one-man wrecking crew doing it all.

Forcing Siemian to beat opponents through the air will be a tall order. And Chase Claypool, who caught only two passes on Sunday, will suffer even further.

The run game without Fields and Khalil Herbert will look very average. The opponents do not have to worry about the homerun threats both possess. David Montgomery runs hard, but he is not a homerun threat and rookie Tresten Ebner was not impressive in his extended action against the Falcons. It will be easier to stop the run by stacking seven or eight men in the box.

Ironically, Getsy just made it more difficult on himself if Fields must sit out for an extended period.