Chicago Bears Week 2 Notes: Motown Meltdown

In Ben Johnson’s return to the Motor City, his Chicago Bears team gave a performance that can be summarized in one word.

Embarrassing.

Here are my notes from all three phases after the 52-21 loss.

Offense:

• Yet another false start – not a good way to show growth from last week’s disappointing performance.
• Better push and lanes in the run game helped early in this one, but disappeared when it mattered most.
• Though he is good for what seems like one easy drop per game, Rome showed why he was a top 10 pick a year ago. Getting him the ball does good things for this offense.
• The Bears opened with their 2nd opening drive TD in consecutive games after not scoring a single such TD all of last season – that might be the only positive takeaway from this whole game.
• Another Jonah Jackson holding call. Is it too late to bring Teven Jenkins back?
• Swift has proven to be the focal point of the offense to start both games this season. In scripted plays, it tends to work. After that? Not so much. But the same can be said for the whole offense two weeks in a row.
• Caleb was more on-point through the air this week – putting the ball mostly in a position to give his guy a chance. The bad INT on the scramble to Kerby Joseph was as poor a throw/decision as I can remember, and he also had one bad overthrow to Rome, but a cleaner game from Caleb from an accuracy and decision-making process.
• NOT a fan of consecutive QB sneaks. Unless you have a DOMINANT Offensive Line – which Chicago does not. What we do have (this week at least) is a RB who is proven to convert in short yardage, yet Roschon Johnson had zero carries.
• Penalties continued to be an issue in this one – GOTTA clean that up or it will be yet another long season as Bears fans.
• Did anyone else know that Rome Odunze is a mismatch?
• Is there anything worse than a 3-and-out to start a half?
• Darnell Wright had one of his worst games that I can remember.

Defense:

• 52 points given up. Mic drop moment for Detroit – unfortunately.
• Once again, poor run defense plagued the Bears all game, as did any lack of pressure in the pass game. When Goff has time to throw, like he did on Sunday, he will make you pay. Like he did on Sunday.
• The MVP of this defense might be Kyler Gordon, and he has not played a snap this season.
• Grady Jarrett is making his case to be one of Ryan Poles’ worst off-season acquisitions. And we all know that is saying something.
• Liked Tremaine Edmunds in coverage on LaPorta – overall decent game by Maine, but not enough.
• Amon-Ra St. Brown destroyed Tyrique Stevenson...