Chicago Bears: Three major disappointments in loss to Packers

Disappointment #3: Chicago Bears offensive line

I know what you’re thinking: surely the major disappointments of this game aren’t all offensive players? While it’s valid to blame a couple of Bears defenders, it was the offense that lost this game. And that loss starts with the lackluster play of the offensive line.

Going into this season, the Bears offensive line was highly regarded by NFL experts. The team gave guard Cody Whitehair a big contract extension. They moved former guard James Daniels back to center, the position he played most of his football career.

While there were some good blocks on complicated blitzes by the Packers defense, the offensive line did Trubisky no favors on Thursday night. The Packers defense recorded 19 total pressures on Trubisky and came away with five sacks.

Yes, the Packers have an improved defensive front after a couple of big free-agent signings in the offseason. That being said, the offensive line had to step up in order to get the best out of Trubisky, and clearly that didn’t happen.

The line’s poor play led to some of Trubisky’s uneasiness, in my opinion. Trubisky was a little late scrambling out of the pocket most of the game and it resulted in the quarterback gaining short yardage on plays that could’ve been big runs.

I never used to buy into the argument that NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth repeated Thursday night about playing in the preseason. I thought it didn’t matter if starters played or not. I’m starting to rethink that based on this game.

The offensive line seemed out of sync most of the night. In the third quarter with the offense driving, tackle Charles Leno Jr. committed back-to-back penalties during a drive that ended with the Bears running the ball on 3rd down and 40.

There’s time to improve, but this game was a disaster on many levels. It’s going to be tough, but the Bears need to forget about this dismal performance and move onto next week.

The team travels to Denver to face the Broncos. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the game almost feels like a must-win. Keep checking Da Windy City for more Bears coverage leading into week two.