Takeaway From Bears’ Win: Turnovers Matter

November 24, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Monday meanderings: The Chicago Bears have a winning streak. All of two games, even if it might not feel like it. Meaning a team that was 3-6 is 5-6. As incredible as all that might sound, the Bears’ 21-13 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Soldier Field was made possible because of their defense. Take some deep breaths and consult a health-care professional if necessary.

Video below of Playboy’s Nasia Jansen to start off the week. Or any time.

* The Bears beat the Lovie Smith-coached Bucs in no small part because they won the turnover battle 4-1. Two Tampa Bay turnovers led to the Bears enjoying a one-play, 13-yard touchdown drive and a four-play, 15-yard TD drive — if you can call those drives. Not to mention another Bucs turnover (or Bears takeaway for those who like that verbiage better) thwarted a drive that would have had Tampa Bay with a first-and-goal.

* The Bears, who overcame a 10-halftime deficit with 21 third-quarter points, allowed only 156 second-half yards to the Bucs (who had 211 yards in the first half).

* Speaking of offensive output, the Bears had 204 total yards. For the game. Meaning the offense might need to perform significantly better on Thursday at Detroit against the Lions. Well, unless the defense can perform against a good team as well as it did against a bad one. Then again, the Bucs are the best 2-9 team in the NFC. Never mind that they are the only 2-9 team in the NFC.

* Speaking of Sunday’s game, Marc Trestman has the same record as Bears coach after 27 games as Mike Ditka and Lovie Smith: 13-14. The statistical-analysis department around here had the day off Sunday, so you’ll have to figure out all on your own whether that fact has any statistical significance.

* Speaking of statistical significance, quarterback Jay Cutler did not throw an interception. So there’s that. Cutler was 17-of-27 for 130 yards. That’s 4.8 yards per pass and 7.6 yards per completion. Bucs QB Josh McCown, last season’s Bears backup, was 25-of-48 for 341 yards. That’s 7.1 per pass and 13.6 per completion. Your humble correspondent has no idea what those numbers mean — other than McCown had a better passing game (with the exception of throwing two interceptions). And also with the exception of being sacked five times to three for Cutler.

* Speaking of the Bears’ defense (and even if we weren’t), linebacker Lance Briggs (groin injury) and rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller (knee injury) sat out the second half. Even if they are day-to-day, there might not be enough days for either to be available in four days for their next game Thursday at Detroit.

* Something says if Cutler is sacked only three times against the Lions, he and the Bears will be giving thanks on Thanksgiving.

* The Bears’ remaining schedule after Thursday: Dallas for Thursday night football at Soldier Field on Dec. 4, home vs. New Orleans on Dec. 15 on “Monday Night Football,” Detroit on Dec. 21 and at Minnesota on Dec. 28. If it’s any consolation to Bears fans (and the guess here is that it might be in the aftermath of winning Sunday), Dallas (8-3) and Detroit (7-4) are the only teams on the schedule with winning records. So it would seem the Bears have an excellent chance of winning at least two or more games. More than three might be a challenge. And making the postseason with an 8-8 record might be even more challenging.

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