Bears offense shows progress in loss to Vikings, but mistakes still prove costly
CHICAGO (CBS) – The Chicago Bears are on a short week. They'll barely practice before hosting the Washington Commanders at Soldier Field on Thursday night.
Washington will be desperate for a win after losing four straight but they'll face a Bears team boasting a bit of confidence.
Quarterback Justin Fields put up the best half of his NFL career on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, showing growth in pocket presence and accuracy, completing 12 of 13 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. Fields also led the Bears rushing attack with 36 yards.
But the heartbreak came late again for the Bears with a critical mistake by wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who was waived by the Vikings at the end of training camp this year. Smith-Marsette wanted too much from the play.
"In those situations, you just got to be smart as a player," he said. "I made [the defender] miss in the beginning and I should have just gone out of bounds. But knowing when you have a chance to potentially tie the game, or even win it if we go for two [points], it's tough when you're the one who let the team down."
"You have to finish and make the plays down the stretch to win the game," said head coach Matt Eberflus. "And that doesn't mean special plays. Make the mundane plays … and make sure that we execute in those moments and then we'll have good results."
Starting receiver Darnell Mooney caught two balls for 52 yards in Sunday's loss with one electric 39-yard reception.
Running back David Montgomery, who was back from injuries on Sunday, was not at all surprised to see Mooney make a highlight reel play, but was surprised he made a play on that particular ball.
"[Mooney] does that all the time in practice," Montgomery said. "And the way he prepares … him and [Fields] are always the last ones off the field every day. So when stuff like that happens, it's cool to see, but it doesn't surprise me at all because of how he works."
Fields will likely have a new target on Thursday. Receiver N'Keal Harry has yet to see a snap in a Bears uniform after getting injured in training camp but has been activated from the injured reserve list.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson would have been a full participant in practice indicating he may be back on Thursday as well.