The Chicago Bears were hoping to end the 2025 regular season with some momentum, but following their loss to the Detroit Lions, they seemingly ended the season with more concerns than reasons to feel optimistic about the playoffs.
The game was certainly a much closer affair than the 31 point loss the Bears suffered to the Lions back in week two. This one came down to Lions kicker Jake Bates hitting a 42 yard game-winning field as time expired, and the Bears had their chances down the stretch after
clawing their way back from a 16-0 deficit.
But even after having a chance to win the game and falling just short, it’s hard to not be concerned about the offense’s (continued) slow starts and the defense’s inability to slow any opposing team outside of the red zone. Detroit amassed 433 yards of offense and held the ball for 35:45, though that time of possession advantage was even more lopsided prior to the Bears offense waking up from their slumber in the fourth quarter.
The Green Bay Packers await this Saturday in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs, the Bears’ first postseason game in five years. In order to come away with a victory, the Bears defense will have to find some answers on a short week of preparation.
Let’s get to the game balls.
Offense Game Ball: TE Colston Loveland
With Rome Odunze missing his fifth consecutive game, Loveland continued his trend of becoming QB Caleb Williams’ most reliable pass catcher.
Loveland finished the day with 10 catches for 91 yards and one touchdown. He was targeted on 13 passes, the third-highest total ever in a game for a Bears rookie. Loveland’s touchdown with 5:25 left in the fourth quarter ultimately helped the Bears pull into a 16-16 tie.
Loveland finished the 2025 season as the Bears’ leading receiver with 713 yards, the first Bears rookie TE to lead the team in receiving yards since Mike Ditka did it in 1961.
But even with those accolades, the rookie still had some issues. This team continues to suffer from a serious case of the “drops,” and Loveland was no exception as two of his three incompletions were definitely catchable balls that need to be hauled in. This is a recent phenomenon for the rookie, though, as Loveland had zero dropped passes through mid-December of this year.
The Bears ultimately led the league in lost receiving yards due to drops this season, and the problem became more pronounced over the last month. Not a trend you like to see heading into the postseason.
Defense Game Ball: S Kevin Byard III
This was a difficult exercise given the defense’s performance, which may have been just slightly better than “putrid” — only because they were able to hold the Lions to field goals in the red zone and save face just a little bit.
The lack of pressure, once again, was a major issue. Jared Goff was able to buy time with regularity. Let me repeat: Jared Goff, one of the more immobile quarterbacks in the league, bought extra time with regularity. That just can’t happen.
Outside of D’Marco Jackson, who looked good in spurts, the Bears linebackers were outmatched and looked lost. T.J. Edwards took horrible angles and missed tackles. Tremaine Edmunds, who looked like a Pro Bowler halfway through the season, is ineffective. It’s wild how what was seemingly a strength has become a severe liability.
Speaking of units that seemed like a strength earlier in the year, the Bears’ secondary was gashed constantly. It seems the book is out on how to attack this defense. Take everything underneath and in the middle of the field. Dennis Allen’s blitzing schemes don’t work as the Bears can’t play man defense against anyone. But at the same time, the zones are ineffective. The corners lack top-end speed, and Jaylon Johnson is looking like a shell of his former self. Nahshon Wright gets targeted and can’t stop the completions (where’s Tyrique Stevenson?). CJ Gardner-Johnson just doesn’t have the speed to play man defense (hurry back, Kyler Gordon). Goff looked like he was playing a leisurely game of catch with his WRs for most of the game.
So almost by default, we’ll go with Kevin Byard who hauled in yet another interception on Sunday. That gave him seven on the year, the most in the NFL. The interception came at a clutch moment, with the Lions driving to take the lead with just over 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
It seemed like perhaps this would setup a Bears scoring drive to win the game. Unfortunately, the offense immediately went three and out, punted, and never saw the ball again. The Lions promptly went right down the field and kicked a field goal to win the game.
Special Teams Game Ball: None
Nothing stood out to me on special teams this week. Cairo Santos didn’t have any field goal opportunities. Tory Taylor was mediocre (44.5 yard average), as was the punt and kick return game.
Bryan Orenchuk and myself will have plenty to say about this game this week on a new episode of Bears Over Beers. It will be available on the 2nd City Gridiron YouTube channel or via your favorite podcasting platform. Our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms.
Who would have received your game balls? Let us know in the comments section below.
