Bears' Week 3 Collapse: Coaching Blunders and Turnovers Lead to Disappointing Loss to Colts

The Chicago Bears were eager to bounce back in Week 3, with their upcoming schedule looking pretty favorable. The team was gearing up to face the Indianapolis Colts, a team that appeared vulnerable, especially in the areas where the Bears needed to capitalize most. With Indianapolis boasting a less-than-stellar run defense and struggling to generate turnovers in the first two weeks of the season, this was the game where Chicago fans hoped their team would right the ship. This felt like a golden opportunity for the Bears to break out of the slump that plagued them at the start of the season.

But if there's anything that Week 3 showed us, it's that things in the NFL are never that simple.

Chicago’s dreams of a smooth turnaround were quickly dashed. Instead of taking control of the game, the Bears were unable to generate any rhythm, especially on the ground. Indianapolis, instead of crumbling as many expected, stifled the Bears' run game, forcing Chicago into uncomfortable passing situations. To make matters worse, the Colts forced three critical takeaways, ultimately leading to a 21-16 victory over the Bears. With the loss, Chicago dropped to a disappointing 1-2 on the season, a far cry from what they had hoped.

There’s no sugarcoating it—this was a game the Bears should have won. And while you can point fingers in many directions, there’s no denying that a lot of the responsibility falls on the coaching staff.

The Coaching Problem: What's Going Wrong?

Matt Eberflus, the Bears' head coach, has been under a microscope since he took the reins. After this latest setback, that scrutiny has only increased. During the game, Eberflus mismanaged critical moments, particularly with timeouts and game management. In a league where the difference between winning and losing often comes down to a handful of decisions, those mistakes were glaring.

Then there's offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Waldron was brought in with high hopes that he'd breathe new life into an offense that had been stagnant for far too long. But in Week 3, like the two weeks before, Waldron’s offensive strategy seemed disconnected from the reality of the game. The Bears couldn’t get their running game going, a theme that has become all too familiar to Chicago fans. Instead of leaning into their strengths, it felt as if the offense was grasping at straws, throwing out questionable plays that simply didn’t work.

Frustration is building. It’s not just the losses; it’s how the Bears are losing. For the third straight game, the offense was disjointed, predictable, and unable to adapt to what the defense was throwing at them. It’s hard not to notice the striking similarity to the issues the team faced in previous seasons, even after adding new talent and bringing in Waldron as the offensive mastermind. Despite all the changes, the problems that haunted them in the past are still present in 2024.

Key Takeaways from the Loss

1. Run Game Struggles: Despite Indianapolis' run defense being a weak point, the Bears couldn't take advantage. The offensive line struggled to create running lanes, and Chicago never found their rhythm on the ground.

2. Turnovers: Turnovers will always kill momentum, and the Bears had three of them. These were costly, taking away scoring opportunities and giving the Colts prime field position.

3. Coaching Blunders: Timeouts and game management were a huge issue. Eberflus mismanaged key moments, and Waldron’s play-calling left a lot to be desired.

4. Fan Reactions: As expected, Bears fans took to social media to voice their frustrations. The calls for change are growing louder, with many questioning if Eberflus is the right man to lead this team.

Chicago fans aren’t known for their patience, and after years of mediocrity, the calls for Eberflus' job have only grown louder. Social media erupted with fans asking, "Why is Eberflus still the head coach?" It’s the same old story—great talent, poor execution. The fans are tired of seeing their team underachieve year after year, especially when it seems like there’s no clear path to improvement.

The Bigger Picture: Bears in 2024

Let’s not forget, there’s plenty of talent on this Bears roster. It’s not as though Chicago is lacking in playmakers. That’s part of what makes this loss so frustrating. On paper, the Bears should have the ability to beat teams like Indianapolis. They should be able to run the ball, control the clock, and avoid the types of mistakes that plagued them in this game.

But talent alone isn’t enough. At some point, coaching has to elevate the players. Great teams are those that can adapt when things aren’t going their way. They don’t keep banging their heads against the wall when something clearly isn’t working. Unfortunately for the Bears, that adaptability seems to be missing.

There’s still time to turn things around. The season is young, and a 1-2 start doesn’t mean the playoffs are out of reach. But if the Bears continue to play like they did in Week 3, it’s going to be a long, painful season for Chicago fans.

Looking Forward: Can the Bears Salvage the Season?

The question now is: Where do the Bears go from here? The coaching staff needs to take a hard look in the mirror and figure out how to right the ship before it’s too late. Adjustments need to be made, both in terms of strategy and execution.

First and foremost, they have to fix the running game. Chicago can’t afford to be one-dimensional on offense, especially with their current personnel. Waldron needs to get more creative with his play-calling and find ways to exploit defensive weaknesses instead of stubbornly sticking to plays that clearly aren’t working.

Secondly, Eberflus has to be sharper with his game management. Those critical moments, whether it’s a timeout or a decision to punt or go for it on fourth down, can make all the difference. The margin for error in the NFL is razor-thin, and every decision counts.

The next few weeks will be crucial. The Bears have an opportunity to bounce back, but they need to start learning from their mistakes. If they don’t, it won’t be long before changes are made—whether that’s on the sidelines or in the front office.

In conclusion, the Week 3 loss to Indianapolis was a tough pill to swallow for Bears fans. It was a winnable game that slipped away due to poor execution and questionable coaching. But it’s not too late. If the Bears can regroup, fix their mistakes, and start playing to their potential, there’s still hope for the 2024 season. But the clock is ticking, and fans are growing impatient.