It is always 100% worth kicking to start OT. You know what you have to do and can end it. It is like being the home team in baseball.
Chicago Bears 2025-2026
- Status
Great season. The playoff game against the Packers was one of the top 3 games I've ever seen live. Ben Johnson and Caleb are going to be a problem for a long time.
I get the displeasure with some of the 3rd and 4th down calls, but it's not Johnson's fault our line got blown up multiple times. Sure, in hindsight maybe you call something different, but you expect your guys to get the job done for short yardage situations. Also, going for it on 4th down is the new norm across the league. Analytics have taken over every sport and that's just another example.
On that interception, I agree that we probably didn't need to take that big of a shot at that time, but that's what Ben and Caleb have done all season, and unfortunately, this time it cost us. You live with it and move on. I think Loveland going down really hurt, he was Caleb's guy in those end of game situations.
Sure up the defense a little this offseason and let's run it back.
I get the displeasure with some of the 3rd and 4th down calls, but it's not Johnson's fault our line got blown up multiple times. Sure, in hindsight maybe you call something different, but you expect your guys to get the job done for short yardage situations. Also, going for it on 4th down is the new norm across the league. Analytics have taken over every sport and that's just another example.
On that interception, I agree that we probably didn't need to take that big of a shot at that time, but that's what Ben and Caleb have done all season, and unfortunately, this time it cost us. You live with it and move on. I think Loveland going down really hurt, he was Caleb's guy in those end of game situations.
Sure up the defense a little this offseason and let's run it back.
100%. The Defense in the last 6 quarters is what they've been missing the whole year.
They showed up; but Johnson's play calling, Caleb's vision (missing corner DB's), O-Line unable to open a Caprisun size straw hole in short yardage situations, and the WR dropping tons of passes killed this team.
the weather effected the Bears just as much if not more so than the Rams .
Staffords experience over Calebs also showed
I would not be opposed to something closer to the OT rules that college uses. Perhaps some tweaking. Start at the 35. Instead of evidentially moving to the 3 yard line keep bring the ball back to the 25 or 35 for each possession.
Looking at the last interception again, it's not like the pass was that big of a shot. If DJ runs the right route, it's complete at the 25, and given the weather that's the spot you need for a realistic FG opportunity. The play call was a vert by Odunze to pull the safety back, and then a dig by DJ into the open space left behind. Instead, DJ kept going vertical to follow Odunze, and then just stopped when he realized it wasn't right and watched the INT happen, compounding the issue.
2 of the 3 ints last night were receivers who ran the wrong route while Caleb threw in anticipation of the right route. The third was an overthrow on 4th down where not completing the pass is a turnover on down anyway.
The biggest issue last night was that the line wasn't able to provide much to the run offense, so they couldn't get the short yards they normally did and failed to convert about six situations of 3 or fewer yards.
2 of the 3 ints last night were receivers who ran the wrong route while Caleb threw in anticipation of the right route. The third was an overthrow on 4th down where not completing the pass is a turnover on down anyway.
The biggest issue last night was that the line wasn't able to provide much to the run offense, so they couldn't get the short yards they normally did and failed to convert about six situations of 3 or fewer yards.
Good call, I did see that, it was a bit behind him but no excuse still
I think it was the 89 divisional champ game played in Chicago against 49ers. Big hipe on how CA team wouldn't be able to handle the cold. I remember it was cold like it was last night. Bears lost by like 4 touchdowns.
Good season guys! Proud of you all, build off this and hit the ground running next season
I disagree and here’s why:
If you take the ball first, and you don’t score, your defense HAS to stop them ONE time to not lose.
If you take the ball second, and you don’t score, then your defense HAS to stop them TWICE to not lose.
To me the advantage is all in that 3rd possession given how easy it is in the NFL to move the ball between the 20s and get in FG range
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
It was the NFC title game. There was a ton of hype on that weather & it was brutal. But late 80's Frisco was just so good.
Again though, this isn't college (and this seems to be what people are mixing up). Doing it the way the NFL is doing it is the fairest way to do it. Would you rather the game be over after the team that had the ball first scored a TD?
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
Everyone seems to want to bury Moore for that play but when you look at the camera angle directly behind Williams showing where Moore was the instant he let go of the ball, I don't see how Moore could have gotten to the spot where the ball was picked off.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
I thought his play calls left much to be desired after the 49ers game.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
They need to figure a way to get Kmet more involved in the passing game or there's no point in having him around at that salary. I think he's a good weapon.
biglug58
- Chicago, IL
Yep, Montana and Rice tore us a new one. And it was much colder than last night.
it’s clear Loveland is the go to pass catcher & Kmet is the go to blocker
That was really a tough one for Bears fans. Energized and packed home crowd... Bears-style-frigid weather... momentum going in to the game. Came up short.
The good news is that the Bears have their franchise QB and the right Head Coach. They are set up to contend for some time to come.
Now all they need to figure out is the same as the White Sox – where to play future home games?
The good news is that the Bears have their franchise QB and the right Head Coach. They are set up to contend for some time to come.
Now all they need to figure out is the same as the White Sox – where to play future home games?
After a little reflection, last night had a very 2015 Cubs vibe. Wasn’t going to be their year (didn’t see them winning in Seattle), a little early to the party, but overall feeling of the crowd seemed to be positivity vs despondency.
Need to get better, cant count on 7 comeback wins in the last 2 minutes or whatever it was. Caleb needs to master singles and doubles for next year. If he can scramble and get 4 easy yards and get out of bounds, he should take that vs taking a shot. Shore up the defense, hopefully through the draft. Next year could be special.
Need to get better, cant count on 7 comeback wins in the last 2 minutes or whatever it was. Caleb needs to master singles and doubles for next year. If he can scramble and get 4 easy yards and get out of bounds, he should take that vs taking a shot. Shore up the defense, hopefully through the draft. Next year could be special.
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
For the first time in a long long long time they are positioned to potentially be in contention every year for the foreseeable future. 18 is possibly that good.
I'm guessing this is where this is headed? his extension was before Johnson, no ties and Kmet had his share of drops this year too
contractually, they have Williams for 3 more years regardless of what we ends up wanting.
One would think they would be able to re-sign him and extend him at some point after next year
100% on 3rd/4th and short. Line the QB up behind the center, ID the likely gap or leverage point and have at it. I don't understand the thought process behind handing off to a guy a few yards behind the LOS. What's even more baffling is when teams operate out of the shotgun in those situations.
- Status