Another loss to the Green Bay Packers for the Chicago Bears, but it didn’t feel like a typical loss.
Chicago lost by a touchdown on the second-to-last play of the game. Somehow though, it wasn’t a gut-wrenching,
nut punch of a loss like so many that came before.
Is it because the Bears get a second shot at Green Bay, in Chicago, in less than two weeks? Maybe.
Was it the way the team fought back from a 14-3 deficit, in which the team looked completely outmatched, to tie the game up?
Either way, there were lots of bad things, but plenty of not-so-bad things, too.
All things considered, it was far from the worst loss of the season, even if it still sucks and hurt.
Stock up
Colston Loveland, TE – His early drop (or fumble that wasn’t?) aside, Loveland is continuing to show up every week in a big way. He caught four of his five targets for 29 yards and a touchdown. He’s now fourth on the team in receptions, but he’s second in touchdowns and third in yards.
Luther Burden III, WR – Burden also stepped up to make it another strong week for rookies. With Rome Odunze out, Burden stepped up and led the team in receiving yards with 67 and tied with Loveland for receptions with four.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB – Garner-Johnson got roasted on one of the touchdowns, yes. In his defense, inside breaking routes are incredibly hard to cover and were the perfect call against Dennis Allen’s scheme. But outside of that, CJGJ had an interception and led the team in tackles.
Stock down
DJ Moore, WR – When the No. 1 receiver is out, you expect your highest-paid receiver to really step up. But Moore had just one catch for -4 yards. His down year has been confounding and now there is a lot of talk online among fans and analysts that this could be his final year in Chicago. Moore is still talented, but for whatever reason, he’s never gelled with Caleb Williams and he hasn’t found a solid role in Ben Johnson’s system.
Kyler Gordon, CB – I know soft tissue injuries are tough and linger on. But at this point, it’s clear the Bears can’t rely on Gordon in 2025. And frankly, with 19 missed games over four years, it’s hard to imagine when they will be able to rely on him.
Jaylon Johnson, CB – He’s working his way back from injury still, I get it, so the fact that he was subbed in and out wasn’t unexpected. However, on a crucial third and one late in the game, with Josh Jacobs right there on a gotta hace it stop and he just threw a hand out. Seriously, watch. It was brutal.
Who is on your up and down lists this week?
