Chicago Bears Blow Fourth-Quarter Lead in Ben Johnson’s Debut
UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, the Chicago Bears squandered a fourth-quarter lead in a devastating 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on September 11, 2023. This was the debut game for new head coach Ben Johnson, who now faces intense scrutiny following the team’s struggles.
The Bears entered the final quarter leading by 11 points, but faltered under pressure, allowing the Vikings to score three touchdowns in the closing minutes. The loss marks a continuation of a troubling trend for Chicago, who now has dropped their last six home games, further frustrating the 58,742 fans at Soldier Field.
Johnson’s squad was penalized 12 times for a staggering 127 yards, including four false start penalties, significantly undermining their performance. “We made too many mistakes late in the game, myself included,” Johnson stated in a post-game press conference. “That’s something we’ve got to clean up moving forward.”
In a promising start, quarterback Caleb Williams completed his first ten passes, finishing the game with 210 yards passing and 58 yards rushing. However, despite his early success, the offense failed to capitalize on critical opportunities, leading to scattered boos from the frustrated crowd.
“I think we came out with great energy,” said safety Kevin Byard. “We made a lot of great plays, but at the end of the day we didn’t finish.”
Johnson, who joined the Bears after a successful stint as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, initially led the team to a touchdown on their opening drive—the first time Chicago has scored on their first possession since Week 17 of the 2023 season.
Despite this early success, the Bears struggled to maintain momentum. Leading 17-6 at the start of the fourth quarter, they failed to convert on multiple drives, including a missed 50-yard field goal attempt by Cairo Santos that could have extended their lead.
As the Vikings rallied, J.J. McCarthy orchestrated a powerful comeback, culminating in three touchdowns in the final period. Johnson acknowledged his defense’s efforts but noted that they ultimately fell short. “Statistically, the defense did well until the fourth quarter,” he remarked. “But the offense stalled out at crucial moments.”
Looking ahead, the Bears need to address their penalty issues and capitalize on scoring opportunities if they hope to turn the tide this season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Johnson strives to correct these mistakes and lead the team to victory in their next matchup.
For fans of the Bears, this loss underscores the urgent need for improvement as they prepare for the upcoming games. Johnson’s leadership will be put to the test as he aims to revitalize a struggling franchise. Stay tuned for further updates as the season unfolds.
