We are on to the fifth installment of my new series for the 2026 season, where I recap what I believe were the three reasons the Chicago Bears won or lost the previous game.
In week 5 at Lambeau Field, we all know what happened. The question is why? Here are my three reasons.
1. Pass Defense
Not only did Packers QB Jordan Love have more time to throw in this game than he has in any game this season, but he also had a plethora of wide open options to choose from downfield. The pass rush had arguably their worst game of the season at
the same time the secondary decided to have it’s worst game of the season. Not a good combination. Love completed 25 of 31 passes (81%) for 367 yards and 2 scores and was only sacked twice. Both at the end of the first half when GB was clearly trying to pass the ball to get some more points on the board before the break. This is the first game where the Bears secondary’s flaws were on full display for the world to see. Not having Coby Bryant alongside rookie Dillon Thieneman hurts. But with Jaylon Johnson looking washed and not one defensive back making plays in this one, GB carved up the Bears. Hopefully Kyler Gordon’s return will help boost the back end, but it is not looking good.
2. Turnovers
Bagent simply looked out of his league in this one. Not sure if it was the nerves of the rivalry, a great defensive scheme or what, but he was slow to process the field and made poor decisions when it was time to pull the trigger. We knew coming into this season that the offense would have to carry the defense, despite some early season success from Dennis Allen’s unit. After all, Chicago has enough weapons to keep up with anyone on offense. If the QB can get them the ball and keep the chains moving enough to put points on the board. That said, I absolutely could have give Bagent his own section here, but it was the turnovers, on the road against a humming Packers Offense that really hurt Chicago’s chances. We have seen Ben Johnson lead us to 4th quarter comebacks often, but it is becoming increasingly clear that is truly a Caleb Williams stat – and his ball security is critical to any success the offense experiences.
3. Kyle Monangai, RB
You have to wonder if Coach Johnson learned anything from last weeks contest when he fed the second year back a whopping 30 carries despite the teams RB1 healthy and on the sideline ready to play. Sure, Swift’s fumbles were back-breaking and Monangai had the hot hand, but 30 carries are a lot. Especially for a 5’8”, 207lb human. And Monangai ultimately got so banged up that he was held out of the first clash against Green Bay this season. Well, his absence was felt. Roschon Johnson, Monangai’s backup, is better served on special teams as he makes next to zero impact for the offense. And while Swift held his own, the one-two punch of him and Monangai was sorely missed as the latter provides the juice that the team needs with his rugged and assertive playstyle. Hopefully he is back on Christmas Day, along with Caleb Williams, because that offense simply doesn’t look the same without those two.
