The Bears Take A ‘L’ to LA

The eyes of the football world descended on SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday Night Football, as the Chicago Bears were outcoached, outplayed, and outmatched by the LA Chargers, as they lost by a score of 30-13.

For Los Angeles, they played like the Super Bowl contender that Chargers fans had hoped to see at the beginning of the season. QB Justin Herbert had a huge game, going 31/40 with 298 passing yards and three touchdown passes. The leading rusher for the Chargers was Austin Ekeler, carrying the ball 15 times for 29 yards. The leading receiver for the Chargers was…Austin Ekeler, catching the ball seven times for 94 yards and a touchdown, leading to 123 all-purpose yards (rushing + receiving), his second-highest total of the season. Other solid receiving performances include Keenan Allen (eight catches, 69 yards), Quentin Johnston (five catches, 50 yards) and Donald Parham Jr. (four catches, 43 yards, and a touchdown). Defensively, Defensive end Joey Bosa got a sack on Tyson Bagent, and safety Derwin James Jr. and cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor both got interceptions.

For Chicago, they never got into a rhythm offensively. Tyson Bagent made his second career NFL start, and he did not replicate his performance from last week. He finished his night 25/37, 232 passing yards, and two interceptions. Bagent did add a 1-yard rushing TD late. The leading rusher for the Bears was D’Onta Foreman, carrying the ball nine times for 34 yards. Other rushers included Roschon Johnson in his return to action after missing the last two games due to a concussion (six rushes, 21 yards), and Darrynton Evans (four rushes, 18 yards, and a touchdown). The leading receiver was tight end Cole Kmet, catching 10 passes for 79 yards. Other receivers included DJ Moore (four catches, 55 yards) and Darnell Mooney (one catch, 41 yards). Defensively, the Bears got no sacks, no interceptions, but they did force and recover a fumble late.

The Bears now sit at 2-6 with no real direction. Despite Green Bay losing on Sunday, they still find themselves last in the NFC North. And with the streaky New Orleans Saints on the schedule next, and Fields still injured, there seems to be little light at the end of the tunnel.