LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears have trailed at halftime in four of their last five regular-season games. They haven’t scored on their first possession since Week 9 against Cincinnati.
That’s a big question for the NFC North champions heading into the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.
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“I believe there’s a process in terms of how we prepare these guys,” Chicago coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday. “I think we have a lot of good professionals, and I think any time you bring something to your attention, they’re going to look to fix it. And that’s what we’re doing here this week.”
Timing is also of the essence – the Green Bay Packers will be at Soldier Field on Saturday night for the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs.
Chicago has scored a total of three points in the first half against Green Bay this season. The Packers won 28-21 on December 7, but Caleb Williams led the Bears to a dramatic 22-16 victory in Game 2 on December 20.
The Bears have won six games this season after trailing in the final two minutes, but they know that’s not a reliable formula — especially this time of year.
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“We certainly don’t want to be in trouble every week,” Johnson said. “We want to start a little quicker and make the whole game more complete in 60 minutes.”
Chicago (11-6) was nowhere near a full game on Sunday. In the hunt for a playoff spot, the Bears lost to the Detroit Lions, who exited contention on a three-game winning streak.
The Bears managed just four first downs and 69 yards in the first half. They trailed 16-0 before Williams threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. But at the end of the game, Jake Bates’ 42-yard field goal gave the Lions a 19-16 victory.
“We were just mediocre. We didn’t have time to do that anymore,” Williams said. “We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen. If it starts with me, it starts with me. We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen… That’s our mentality: Go out there and start fast. We’re going to make sure of that.”
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In Week 17, Williams passed for two touchdowns in the first half in San Francisco. But Brock Purdy’s defense struggled, and the Bears trailed 28-21 at halftime before losing to the 49ers 42-38.
It’s another shaky start Saturday night that will put Chicago in trouble in the NFL’s oldest rivalry.
“It’s going to come down to who executes, who takes care of the details, who takes care of the fundamentals,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “That’s how you win in the end. We have to master these things. Obviously, it’s going to be an exciting atmosphere and we’re going to use it to our advantage. But we have to pay attention to those details.”
The Bears may get some reinforcements in their playoff opener. Cornerback Kyler Gordon, who was sidelined with a groin injury, has been cleared to practice. Wide receiver Rome Odunze also could return after missing the final five games of the regular season with a foot injury.
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“We have a great opportunity to go on the run,” safety Kevin Baird said. “It’s all about doing the best we can in terms of film study, recovery, etc. and going in with a good attitude because at the end of the day, we have a special opportunity in front of us and it starts with the Green Bay game.”
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