The Chicago Bears’ 47-42 shootout win over the Cincinnati Bengals was an all-timer. The game was a chaotic, high-octane thriller, fueled by brilliant performances from offensive rookies, running back Kyle Monangai, and tight end Colston Loveland.
However, the Bears blew a 41-27 lead late in the fourth quarter, mainly due to their inept defense, which allowed Joe Flacco to pass for 470 yards. Their special teams were equally inept, as they gave up an opening kickoff return for a touchdown, foreshadowing the heart-attack-inducing results, and consistently gave the Bengals good field position throughout the game. The game highlighted both the highs and lows of how this roster was constructed under general manager Ryan Poles.
The Bengals' game exposed what Poles has done well and where he has missed the mark
Let's start with the positives. Colston Loveland, the No. 10 overall pick, had six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns, which gave the team a legitimate weapon at the tight end position. His breakout performance was capped off with a 58-yard game-winning touchdown reception in the final seconds.
Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round pick out of Rutgers, was equally electric. Ironically, the Bears traded Khalil Herbert to the Bengals for their 7th-round pick last season. The Bears used that pick to draft Monangai. Thrust into the starting role with D'Andre Swift out with a groin injury, he bulldozed his way to 176 rushing yards on 26 carries, while adding 22 receiving yards. His physicality and vision gave the Bears offense a new identity, as they did not miss Swift.
Both Loveland and Monangai accounted for over 300 yards of offense. That had to feel suitable for Poles. Fellow rookie Shemar Turner was lost for the season with a torn ACL, wide receiver Luther Burden is currently out with a concussion, and tackle Ozzy Trapilo is a swing tackle whose position is still undetermined.
And yet, for all the offensive fireworks, the Bears nearly gave the game away. Joe Flacco led two lightning-quick touchdown drives, which were aided by blown coverages, penalties, and a botched onside kick recovery. In just 49 seconds, the Bengals scored 15 unanswered points to take a 42-41 lead.
Despite a strip sack by edge rusher Austin Booker, who finally made his 2025 season debut, and a game-sealing interception by Nahshon Wright, the defense still gave up 576 total yards. Had they lost, this would have eclipsed last season's Hail Mary loss against the Washington Commanders. And adding more insult to an injury, Dayo Odeyingbo, a controversial free-agent addition, suffered an Achilles injury and is done for the season.
The Bears now sit at 5-3 and are suddenly relevant in the NFC playoff race. But Poles only acquired edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from the Cleveland Browns at the NFL trade deadline officially yesterday, while signing free-agent cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who already made his debut against the Cincinnati Bengals. Chicago is banking on this roster while waiting for several players on IR, such as Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson, to return later this season.
Read more: Ryan Poles quietly told Bears fans his feelings on Austin Booker after trade
If Poles’ rookies were the reason Chicago won, the defense and special teams nearly ensured they didn’t. As the schedule becomes more challenging for the rest of the season, win or lose, Bears fans will likely have to get used to more excruciating games like this, thanks to Poles' roster construction.