It’s challenging to attribute a loss in the NFL to a single drive, especially one that occurs in the first half of a game. However, the Chicago Bears’ Week 3 defeat against the Indianapolis Colts, which was decided by just one score, highlights some significant missed opportunities.
The most glaring of these came during the team’s penultimate drive in the second quarter, after the offense turned the ball over on downs at the Colts’ goal line. The failure of this drive can be traced back to questionable play-calling and personnel decisions made by offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
In a post-game media session, head coach Matt Eberflus was asked about a particular play that raised eyebrows. The play in question was a third-and-goal run by Khalil Herbert from the one-yard line, which was effectively shut down by the Colts’ defense.
Upon reviewing the play, it became clear that a mismatch in personnel significantly contributed to its failure. Wide receiver Deandre Carter was positioned next to left tackle Braxton Jones and tasked with blocking Colts defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis. This setup was problematic: Carter, at 5’8″ and 190 pounds, was giving up nearly 80 pounds to Lewis, who stands at 6’3″ and weighs 267 pounds. Given this clear size disadvantage, it would have made more sense to deploy an additional tight end like Gerald Everett or Marcedes Lewis, or even bring in a sixth offensive lineman, such as Bill Murray or Nate Davis, to create a more favorable matchup and help push Herbert into the end zone.
Instead, Carter was easily overpowered, resulting in a tackle credited to Lewis, while Herbert was sent back into the backfield.
Eberflus acknowledged the miscalculation, stating, “Shane (Waldron) and I watched the tape at 6:30 this morning and we talked that through. That’s gotta be a better call and a better matchup there.”
Matt Eberflus on DeAndre Carter being matched up against Tyquan Lewis on this 3rd & goal play:
"Shane (Waldron) and I watched the tape at 6:30 this morning and we talked that through. That's gotta be a better call and a better matchup there." pic.twitter.com/cGmpQSrA2N
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) September 23, 2024
This commentary underscores the fundamental flaw in the decision-making process; any competent offensive play-caller should recognize that the play was doomed to fail from the outset. The fourth-down play that followed only compounded the issues regarding play-calling and personnel usage.
It’s worth noting that while this drive was a critical moment, it wasn’t solely responsible for the Bears’ loss. Other factors also contributed to the team’s shortcomings, but this glaring missed opportunity to score points stands out as Waldron’s most significant blunder in Week 3. As the Bears look to regroup, refining their approach in these crucial situations will be essential for future success.
