Frustration Hits Hard For Bears After Ugly Defeat
By Chris Emma—
MINNEAPOLIS (CBS) – When the Bears imploded one year ago, they were fighting with each other. Because of that, change arrived at Halas Hall, and the team began its movement in a new direction.
The Bears are now 5-9 and amid another season that won't include the playoffs, but they aren't frustrated with each other – they're ticked off with themselves. Sunday's 38-17 loss to the Vikings saw the Bears fall flat in disappointing fashion.
"They kicked our ass today," Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery said.
Later, Jeffery was asked what was missing in the loss.
"You tell me what was missing," he said.
To close, Jeffery was asked if the Bears saw any warning signs in practice that a letdown game was coming.
"Can you predict the future?" he retorted.
Tackle Kyle Long sat slumped in a chair in front of his locker as reporters came forward with questions. A consummate pro, Long respectfully answered each inquiry, but his disappointment was clear.
Now in his third season with Chicago, Long and the Bears will have finished a third time without a winning record.
"Very high," Long said when asked about his disappointment.
But no Bears player handled the frustration quite like linebacker Pernell McPhee.
In Baltimore, McPhee never once had a losing record, winning the Super Bowl in 2012. He's not used to losing, and he surely doesn't like it.
"It's sad, it's s—t," McPhee said. "I ain't never felt like this."
It seemed on Thanksgiving night that the Bears were bound for a better finish than this. They beat the rival Packers at Lambeau Field and got to a game within .500 on the season, with a winnable stretch of games ahead.
The Bears rejoiced in the postgame locker room, knowing they had climbed quite the mountain. McPhee took no part of that celebration.
"It felt like at the Green Bay game, we won the Super Bowl," he said. "But not in my f---ing case."
Two games remain in the Bears' season, with both lacking playoff implications. The Bears are playing for more than just pride. As John Fox said after the game, players must go out and earn a spot on the roster for next season.
Caught in the aftermath of a brutal defeat, the Bears were focused on a poor result. They were left frustrated.
"Nobody wants to lose," Jeffery said. "It's common sense."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.