The Chicago Bears played the opposite of a clean brand of football in the team’s 27-9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
After having just two penalties in the preseason win against the Cleveland Browns, the Bears committed a game-high 11 penalties for 81 yards. Left tackle Braxton Jones committed a costly holding penalty on the team's first drive, derailing Caleb Williams and the first-team offense. The unit couldn’t overcome the negative play and was forced to settle for a Cairo Santos 45-yard field goal.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson also pointed out the offense finished two-of-14 on third downs, while the defense allowed six third-down conversions on 13 attempts. After the game, Johnson called the performance “not quite good enough.” Most players echoed that sentiment.
Bears players know they must play better after loss to Bengals
Williams understands the first-team offense can’t have a penalty on the opening drive of the game. The Bears’ quarterback acknowledged there were penalties over the course of the game with the backups, but “it started with the head of the snake, and so we’ve got to fix that.”
On Williams’ incomplete pass to tight end Colston Loveland on first-and-20, the third-year quarterback mentioned that Loveland isn’t the typical read. Still, he saw a potential opportunity to hit his playmaker for a big gain. The pass was slightly out of reach and fell incomplete.
Loveland told reporters after the game that it was “just a little miscommunication” on that play.
That incomplete pass is a great example of why the preseason is beneficial for playing the starters, even if it helps you only for nine snaps. With a flurry of penalties and some adjustments that can be made on offense, the Bears have plenty to address this week as the team prepares for a joint practice with the Tennessee Titans and the final preseason game.
In their joint practice with the Bengals, the first offensive play from scrimmage in 11-on-11s was a muffed snap from Williams and center Garrett Bradbury. Williams was also intercepted several times on the day.
Although the Bears are far more comfortable in Johnson’s system now than they were last year at this point, it’s far from a smooth operation. The first regular season game against the Carolina Panthers.
Read more: Preseason stats aren't doing these 5 Bears justice with how good they are
The Bears need to capitalize on these valuable reps against the Titans, taking every experience – good and bad – and using them to build momentum going into the regular season.
Add us as a preferred source on Google