Micah's takeaways from Bears' loss to the Packers

The Bears can have success on the ground against anybody

In this game, the Bears did not have much success at all in the first half against a great Packers defense. Once the second half came around, the Bears’ offense got back to their dominance. It was not a game near the production the Bears had against Philadelphia on the ground, but the Bears still had the Packers defense on their heels with their run game. The Bears even had a 17-play scoring drive in the 4th quarter, tying the game at 21-21. Even with a loss, the success the Bears had in the second half is a huge plus for this team and their confidence against any future opponent.

Should the Bears trade D.J. Moore?

It was another disappointing performance for D.J. Moore, who, for the majority of the season, has been a non-factor. This is not the production you want to get out of one of the highest-paid players on your roster. Moore, with 4 games left in the season, has only 498 yards receiving to show for this year. With games like this week’s performance, against the Packers, it makes sense for the down year. Against Green Bay with Rome Odunze out for the game, Moore finished with 3 touchdowns, resulting in just one catch for -4 yards. With Rome Odunze being the Bears’ #1 receiver and Luther Burden showing great flashes, it makes sense for the Bears to try to get out of D.J. Moore’s contract this next offseason.

Ben Johnson does not get outcoached

Matt Lafleur and the Packers coaching staff have owned the Bears just as much as players like Aaron Rodgers have. This game, however, felt different. The first half was a very poor start, but in the second half, Ben Johnson called a fantastic game. It felt like every play call he made worked, and the Bears’ offense had no issue driving down the field on the Packers. Ben Johnson even successfully drew up another game-winning play, this time, unfortunately, the execution just was not there. Ben Johnson, this season, has held his end of the bargain, though. The Bears are winning football games, and days are the days of the Bears’ head coach getting coached circles around him by the opponent’s head coach. Ben Johnson proved he belonged in the NFC North with this game versus the Packers and I believe he will lead the Bears to many successful outings versus the Packers and the rest of the North opponents.

The Bears’ injuries finally caught up to them

The Bears’ defense could not make a tackle, and Jordan Love carved the Bears’ secondary like a pumpkin. Most of the season, the Bears have been able to survive without key starters on the defense, but against Green Bay, that was not the case. Jaylon Johnson was out there suited up, but with him on a snap count and not present for key situations, it feels as if he is another key starter out. The Bears’ secondary simply could not hang with the Packers’ receivers, most specifically Christian Watson. It also hurt the Bears’ passing game not having Rome Odunze in this game. If the Bears can get healthier for their rematch against the Packers very soon, the outcome will be very different.

The Bears are at the Packers’ level

Even in a loss, there is still a lot for the Bears to hold their head high on. The Bears did not get dominated or owned by the Packers. The Bears showed great fight and lost this game on one of the final plays of the 4th quarter. Nothing from this game displayed that the Packers are way away from the Bears. This game had all the feeling of a playoff game, and that is really exciting for what the future of this rivalry will be. With both quarterbacks and both coaches, the days of the rivalry being lopsided are over.