Bears Coach Ben Johnson Highlights 5 Key Takeaways from Week 14 Loss

The Bears faced a challenging game in Week 14, leading to several key observations by head coach Ben Johnson. Their performance provides insight into both successes and missed opportunities.

Bears’ Second Half Offensive Resurgence

In the second half, the Bears displayed significant improvement, scoring on their first three drives with two touchdowns and a field goal. They successfully tied the game 21-21 in the fourth quarter. The offense generated 244 yards during this period and converted 7 out of 9 third-down attempts, a stark contrast to their first-half performance where they only managed 1 out of 7 conversions.

Execution Over Adjustments

Johnson emphasized that this second-half success was not a result of halftime adjustments. Instead, it stemmed from improved execution and a commitment to the original game plan. “I stuck to the game plan,” Johnson stated. “We did a better job executing, and guys played hard.”

Critical Missed Opportunity

A turning point came when Green Bay secured the game-sealing interception with just 22 seconds left. On fourth-and-1 from the Packers’ 14-yard line, quarterback Caleb Williams attempted a pass to Cole Kmet, which was intercepted by cornerback Keisean Nixon. Johnson recognized this as a missed opportunity for the Bears. “It was a play that had a lot of options,” he commented, reflecting on the execution of the play.

Final Drive Management

During the final drive, trailing 28-21, the Bears demonstrated strategic clock management, starting their drive at the 26 with 3:32 remaining. Key completions to Luther Burden III and Devin Duvernay advanced them to the Green Bay 23-yard line. Johnson opted for three consecutive runs, leading up to the critical fourth-and-1 situation.

“I felt really good about how we moved the ball down the field,” Johnson noted, despite the pressure of time and the implications of the game situation. He highlighted the importance of scoring quickly while also limiting the opposition’s time to respond, given Jordan Love’s strong performance that day.

Concerns Over Player Performance

Another area of concern was the lack of catches for DJ Moore, who finished the game with only one reception. Johnson, surprised by this statistic, mentioned that he had expected a more substantial role for Moore, especially with teammate Rome Odunze unavailable. “We might have had more for him than any other player in the offense,” he asserted.

Looking Ahead

As the Bears continue to evaluate their performance this season, Johnson’s insights highlight both the potential for growth and the need for improved execution in critical moments. The team is poised for adjustments as they aim to enhance their offensive strategy and build momentum in upcoming games.