The Morning After...the Bears' disappointing loss vs. Lions in Week 18

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The Chicago Bears suffered a disappointing 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions to wrap up the regular season, where the offense had a rough showing while the defense continues to be exploited by opposing offenses. Still, the Bears managed to secure the No. 2 seed, with some help of course.

The Bears got off to a slow start, and it dragged through most of the game until they found some life in the fourth quarter. The offense was held scoreless until the fourth quarter, where they rattled off back-to-back touchdown drives. But, unfortunately, they fell short on their third and wouldn't get a chance for the win. Meanwhile, the defense continues to be exposed by opposing offenses, where they had no answers in the pass rush, defending the run or in coverage.

There's plenty to discuss from this game, including the lack of effort on Sunday, the offense's struggles with quick starts, how the defense has been exposed and what it all means heading into the postseason. Our Bears Wire staff is sharing their thoughts on Chicago's Week 17 loss vs. San Francisco.

Alyssa Barbieri

That was not the way the Bears wanted to close out the regular season and head into the playoffs. While Ben Johnson said his team was playing to win this game, it sure didn't look like it. Chicago came out flat and remained flat before showing some life in the fourth quarter. But their slow start was too much to overcome, and they were officially swept by the Lions as they head into their massive wild-card matchup against the Packers. Luckily, the Eagles rested their starters and wound up losing to the Commanders to help Chicago lock down the No. 2 seed.

I'm not going to lie, that was a disheartening showing by the Bears. While it's clear they were playing it safe with a conservative game plan, until the fourth quarter, it was a lackluster showing that doesn't inspire confidence heading into the postseason. If Chicago wasn't going to give it their all, why were the starters in the game at all?

While the Bears have made their name being the fourth quarter comeback kings, they fell short for a second straight week, this time after they ran out of time and the Lions booted the game-winning field goal as time expired. Chicago needs to find a way to get off to faster starts, especially now with the playoffs kicking into gear. And don't me started on the defense. While they only allowed 19 points, which is impressive considering last week's showing and giving up 52 to Detroit back in Week 2, it was another abysmal showing. They had no answers for the Lions, where Jared Goff operated from a clean pocket most of the game, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery dominated in the run game and the Bears secondary was exposed.

I'm not feeling super confident heading into the playoffs, but maybe that's the mindset this team needs to have. It's not enough to get there, they need to be better if they want to win their franchise's first playoff game since 2011. Perhaps getting kicked in the mouth will prove to be beneficial. After all, the last time the Bears lost two straight games (back in Weeks 1-2), they rattled off four straight wins.

Brendan Sugrue

What a disappointing end to a stellar regular season. While this game ultimately didn’t mean anything since the Bears secured the No. 2 seed thanks to the Washington Commanders taking care of the Philadelphia Eagles, I expected them to come out with much more urgency on both sides of the ball. Ben Johnson was adamant this game meant something and that they were playing for the second seed, so why did this look like a glorified preseason game until the final quarter?

I don’t think the effort we saw Sunday will be indicative of what’s to come on Saturday night against the Packers, but I am extremely worried that the Bears’ defense has been fully exposed at the worst possible time. They’re as healthy as they’ve been all season long, and yet they’re getting gashed three weeks in a row on long drives.

The Bears have allowed an average of 437 yards in their last three games. They cannot generate consistent pressure, and their backend is too much of a liability to cover that up. Nahshon Wright and Jaylon Johnson look too slow, while CJ Gardner-Johnson can’t cover upper-echelon receivers in the slot. It’s a miracle they only allowed 19 points on Sunday. It also seems like Dennis Allen is doing a poor job of disguising coverages, as the last few offenses have known what’s coming too often.

The Bears offense, however, can be lethal, and I’m much more confident in them going into next weekend. Caleb continues to get better and better, even if he had a couple of poor throws. The connection he has with Colston Loveland is special, and Luther Burden is a nightmare to deal with in space. They simply need to get off to faster starts. Considering Johnson mentioned this week’s gameplan was basic, I have hopes that it will happen on Saturday.

Speaking of Johnson’s plan, though, the decision to punt on fourth and five during the Bears’ final offensive possession didn’t sit right with me. The defense had been bending all afternoon, and the Lions only needed a field goal to win. The Bears might as well have run a play to convert and keep the ball to ensure they have the final possession. It’s another lesson Johnson must learn when it comes to game management.

For some reason, Johnson cannot deal with the Lions, but we’ll worry about that next year. Postseason football is officially here, and it’s now or never for this group. Get as healthy as you can and get ready for a familiar foe for the third time in six weeks.

Mike Pendleton

I want to believe the Chicago Bears can put it all together, but they faced a vulnerable Detroit Lions team that had nothing to play for and got embarrassed for the entire first half. For a team looking to get right and out for revenge against Detroit, at home in front of the Soldier Field crowd, the Bears left much to be desired looking ahead to the Wild Card round.

Chicago’s offense can not afford to get off to a slow start anymore. There’s no more time to “figure it out” and for each of the team’s biggest wins this year, they’ve established the run, over the past two losses, they have not. The game plan should be simple for Ben Johnson and the offense, but the execution is not there. Being without Ozzy Trapilo and Rome Odunze definitely hurt in Week 18, and they’re going to need all hands on deck against Green Bay.

A lot has been made about the Bears defense being “bend, don’t break” especially in the red zone, however they’re more frustrating than anything when watching them on the field. The Bears have been able to cover up most of their flaws with their ability to take the ball away, but they’ve been gashed all over the field, allowing big chunk plays to the Lions and 49ers and that needs to get right. There will be no easy offense to face in the playoffs, and that includes Green Bay, which had their way with Chicago’s defense until the offense pulled it out just weeks ago.

Vinnie Parise

The Chicago Bears were defeated by the Detroit Lions in Week 18. This is just the second time this season that the Bears lost two games in a row. The last time, was when the Lions beat them badly in Week 2. If history repeats itself, the Bears will then win enough games in a row to at least make it to the Super Bowl.

Despite going down 16-0, the Bears didn’t give up on this one. The Philadelphia Eagles losing did eventually lock the Bears into the second seed, but they didn’t know that at the time. Chicago scored two touchdowns and converted both two-point conversions, all in the fourth quarter, to get it tied.

That wasn’t enough, however, as Jared Goff had his team in field goal range for a game winner as the clock was expiring. Losses like that sting but they do happen from time to time. In 2025, the Bears were on the right side of those way more than the wrong side.

Did the Bears have a limited offensive playbook due to the looming playoffs? It certainly seemed like it. Now, they have their third date with the Green Bay Packers coming up. It’s a scary situation, but it’s better than being 6-11.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: The Morning After...the Bears' disappointing loss vs. Lions in Week 18

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