Matt Eberflus is relying on his memories to save the season.

In his speech to the players after the match, he pointed out that they could turn the season around according to their past.

“We have to take a hard look at everything we do and play good, complementary football,” Eberflus said.

Two big early plays by the defense and special teams set up their offense.

“We have to do a good job of leveraging those to create early momentum,” Eberflus said. “The nicest thing I said to the players was that we have evidence on record that he did this.

“It would be different if you had no evidence. We have evidence of that. It’s the same guys in the room, it’s the same people around. So it’s important that we find a way to do this.”

They did, but those three weeks against a struggling team seem like a long time ago now. A team that can’t beat New England after making a bad mistake to start the game in Chicago is likely heading for a disappointing losing season.

The future is what matters as much as the good, the bad and the ugly of Sunday’s loss to the Bears.

DeAndre Carter

The 38-yard punt return should have at least set up a field goal. They squandered it.

Also give credit to his blockers, who created a perfect wall for him to run behind on the sideline.

It was a play so well executed that it didn’t seem possible for one team to pull it off, and it also looked just as bad as the game overall.

Intervention by TJ Edwards

Edwards made a key interception in the second quarter and also made a clutch third-down stop with an ankle tackle on Drake Maye as the Patriots QB began closing in on the line of scrimmage, forcing a punt. Edwards’ production was so good it was surprising compared to what others were doing.

THE IDEAL POINT FOR COACHING THE BEARS ARRIVES IF NOTHING CHANGES

THE NINE SAGS TAKEN CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO CALEB WILLIAMS

FANS SING ‘FIRE GRAY’ IN PATRIOTS’ 19-3 MONEY LOSS

Last Weapon

It didn’t come fast enough, but it finally happened.

caleb williams

He isn’t labeled under the “ugly” category for his efforts in a game when he was hounded by the Patriots defense for nine sacks. Most of it wasn’t his fault. There were only two or three sacks, probably from him specifically holding the ball too long.

After this happened a few more times, Williams received the “bad” label for being sacked out of shooting range in the first quarter. He always said he couldn’t allow it. And then he did it again, every time.

In this case, he had plenty of time to kick the football but still didn’t, tempting fate.

The Bears need to score, that’s true. At this point, any old method would be a significant upgrade and one should not turn their nose up by recklessly trying to take the first step. Next time, let’s consider Cairo Santos’ work with humility.

Bears Offensive Line

It wouldn’t be fair to call them “ugly” because of their injuries. They finished the game with 40% of their offensive line starters on the floor and used a combination no one could have imagined with reserve center Doug Kramer playing guard.

At least it kept Kramer busy and away from playing fullback.

Teven Jenkins’ ankle injury, combined with the knee injury he suffered earlier in the week, will make it difficult for the Bears to justify offering him a big contract. His best skill is availability, but you have to really admire him for taking that away this year due to injuries to his ribs, ankle, knee and now ankle again.

If you’re playing with a lineup that already has two understudies, it takes all the preparation time possible. Whatever preparations they made, they were forced over the barrier after being forced to change the squad again while Kramer stood guard.

There’s a reason guys are backups and don’t start.

Statement by Cole Kmet

Later in the locker room, tight end Cole Kmet used the word “funk” to describe the Bears offense’s failure to move the ball against the Patriots.

Fans in attendance also used four-letter words for this. Some of them were even shouting things that started with the same letters of Kmet’s word and variations of that word. Some were not saying anything because they were stunned into complete silence by what they were watching.

The Bears’ offense looked like some electric cars in the Chicago area during the last polar vortex that passed through the area in the dead of winter.

They didn’t start. Just a pile of dead metal.

Shane Waldron’s WR Screens

They’re not working and they’ll be putting DJ Moore in the hospital very soon. Blocking seems scary to them. In the past such plays under the direction of Luke Getsy included Equanimeous St. They were blocking Brown, but neither of them are around anymore. Maybe try transferring it to the field instead. Just a thought.

Play Calling by Shane Waldron

He’d done a game or two before where everyone was scratching their heads or shouting insults.

Now he seems to have broken it and can’t figure out how to make it work again. Amazon does not deliver for you during the season. It’s your fault and you broke it.

Shane Waldron’s Offense

This was against a Patriots defense that ranked 24th in the league, not Bill Belichick’s defense.

The last time the Patriots held someone to 142 yards of offense actually wasn’t that long ago.

In 2022, the Patriots did this in consecutive weeks, holding the Colts and Jets to 10. The coaches of these two teams are no longer in the organizations.

The HITS Principle by Matt Eberflus

Coaches give the Bears a tough rating based on hustle, intensity, turnovers or turnovers, and smart play. This is called Eberflus’ HITS principle.

Maybe they should change this to the W principle and think about winning instead.

Twitter: BearsOnSI