Bears try to explain embarrasing loss
Bears coaches and players relied on a simple three-part formula after Sunday’s game to explain why the team sustained its worst loss in more than six years and what can be done about it.
• We were outplayed and embarrassed.
• Give the Cincinnati Bengals credit.
• We need to work harder next week.
If only it were so simple. The Bengals entered Sunday as one-point favorites but won by 35, the most lopsided defeat in Bears coach Lovie Smith’s tenure.
“It’s bad, especially [because] we pride ourselves on playing tough football,” Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said. “It just seemed like it was too easy for Cincinnati.”
On Monday, Ogunleye and his teammates watched film of the 45-10 beating to confirm their suspicions. Missed tackles, blown coverages, missed blocks and bad penalties contributed as the Bears lost their second consecutive game and fell to third in the NFC North.
The loss exposed a variety of trouble spots, but none bigger than those on the offensive and defensive lines. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had little time for more than a three-step drop, while a flimsy Bears pass rush allowed ample time for Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer to dominate a weak secondary.
Palmer completed 20 of 24 passes for the Bengals a week after Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan dotted the deep middle part of the field with completions against the Bears.
The typically stoic Smith had sharp words for his team at halftime, players said. That did little to breathe life into the Bears, who lost for the seventh time in the past nine road games.
“He’s just disappointed in us, and rightfully so,” Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer said. “We didn’t play well. Wouldn’t you be mad if you were the coach and we played like we did in the first half? Everything coach said was right on.”
Smith reiterated his disappointment Monday to reporters at Halas Hall, where he again took the blame for the loss. To make a bad day worse for the Bears, Smith revealed that it was his decision – not a knee injury – that led him to bench defensive tackle Tommie Harris.
Harris could play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns if he is able to practice all week, but his presence at Cincinnati likely would have done little to reverse a blowout. The Bears’ defensive line has no sacks in the past two games after posting 14 in the first four.
Although Smith said he did not have his team ready to play, Bears players said the coaching staff was not to blame. The coaches led a productive week of practice to prepare for the Bengals, who did nothing to catch the Bears off guard on offense or defense, players said.
“Whatever we say, they just wanted it more,” Bears safety Danieal Manning said.
Now the Bears cannot merely want a turnaround. They need one.
