For the second week in a row, a Chicago Bears loss actually... feels good.
The Bears fell to the Dolphins, 32-35, in Week 9 in a game that looked like a possible blowout early. Then Justin Fields happened. More on that later.
The defense gave up touchdowns in bunches early but tightened up considerably in the second half. On the final drive for the Bears, with a chance to tie or take the lead, they ultimately fell short thanks to a horrendous defensive pass interference against Chase Claypool that went uncalled and an untimely drop on fourth down by wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown.
But there was more positive than negative on Sunday, and we have some game balls to prove it.
Justin Fields
I'm to the point where I'm considering writing a generic paragraph extolling Justin Fields' insane abilities and just copying/pasting that into my column every week. As a passer, he was efficient and electric, completing 61% of his passes and throwing three touchdowns: two to tight end Cole Kmet and a gorgeous 16-yard pass to wide receiver Darnell Mooney in the corner of the endzone.
But it was on the ground where Fields did the most damage. On Sunday, the Bears' quarterback ran for 178 yards, breaking the NFL regular season record for most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback, previously held by Michael Vick. He also broke a franchise record with his 61-yard touchdown scamper for the longest quarterback run and became the first player in NFL history to throw three touchdowns while rushing for over 150 yards.
It was truly a historic day for Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears.
Bears fans are finally seeing the national media realize what they've known all along: that Justin Fields is a franchise quarterback and is on the verge of making himself a superstar in this league.
Cole Kmet
After going almost 24 months without a touchdown, Cole Kmet now has three in two weeks. On Sunday, he pulled in five catches for forty-one yards and two touchdowns.
A polarizing figure among Bears fans, Kmet is finally having the mini-breakout that his supporters have been waiting for. No, he's never going to be Travis Kelce. But he's one of the best blocking tight ends in the league and is showing he can be dynamic in the passing game, too.
After this season, general manager Ryan Poles will have to decide if Kmet has earned himself an extension. If he can continue to play like he has against the Cowboys and the Dolphins these past two weeks, it'll make Poles' decision much easier.
Darnell Mooney
Another player who is playing for a big extension this offseason is Mooney. His performance through the first six weeks of the season, much like the rest of the offense, was bitterly disappointing. But over the last three games, he's starting to prove himself worthy of a long-term deal.
He led the Bears in Week 9 with seven receptions for forty-three yards and a touchdown, his first of the year.
Much was made of the connection between Fields and Mooney over the summer when they spent the offseason working out. That work is finally paying off nine weeks into the season and, hopefully, will continue to improve.
Bears fans will be over the moon to see both Mooney and Kmet play themselves into position as long-term starters for Justin Fields to work with.
Luke Getsy
The last game ball has to go to the offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy.
A month ago, Bears fans openly considered who could replace Getsy after such an embarrassing start to the season. My oh my, how that's changed.
The Bears have averaged over thirty points and almost 400 yards per game over the last three weeks. They're a fun team to watch for the first time in years. The offense is 'must-see' TV.
A ton of credit for this offensive renaissance has to go to Getsy. He's figured out what works best for Fields in an offense that's still largely devoid of playmakers and blue-chip talent.
Instead of worrying about who will take Getsy's job after he's been fired, Bears fans might want to worry about who will take his job when another team hires him to be their head coach.
Honorable Mentions: RT Riley Rieff (stabilized the right side of the offensive line), RG Teven Jenkins (I'd love to feature him with a game ball soon if other guys would quit being so explosive and dominant), LB Jack Sanborn (filled in admirably for former linebacker Roquan Smith in his first career start) and K Cairo Santos (still perfect on the year with field goals and now making nineteen straight without a miss).