Washington Commanders Notebook: 3 Takeaways From Deflating Loss vs. Chicago Bears
The season couldn't have gotten off to a better start for the Washington Commanders after their first two games. After their last three games, things couldn't have gone any worse.
The Commanders' season hit a new low when they lost 40-20 at FedEx Field to the previously winless Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. With the one-sided defeat, Washington has lost three straight games and its season is on the verge of falling apart if things get any worse.
Here are three takeaways from the Commanders' shellacking at the hands of the Bears.
Defense struggles again:
It seemed like a simple formula would be the Commanders' (2-3) best path to success this season. Their defense would keep them in games, and quarterback Sam Howell would lead the offense to make enough plays to win games.
Things couldn't have turned out any different for Washington and its defense.
In its last four games, Washington has allowed an average of 36 points per game. Its struggles continued when Bears (1-4) quarterback Justin Fields single-handedly and receiver D.J. Moore torched the Commanders' secondary. Fields had a field day, completing 15 of 29 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns, while also running for 57 yards.
Moore had eight catches for 230 yards and three touchdowns.
If the Commanders' defense can get torched by a Bears offense that's among one of the worst in the league, they're in for a long rest of the season.
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera watching the game.
USA TODAY Sports
Commanders on the verge of ruining Sam Howell:
If your goal is to develop a young quarterback, you should do everything in your power to protect them. If your goal is to ruin their career, then Washington is using the playbook to perfection.
Through five games, Howell has been sacked 29 times and is on pace to be sacked almost 100 times this season. He was sacked five times by a Bears defense that only had two heading into Thursday.
For all of the acclaim surrounding the addition of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, his system isn't going to improve the offense if Howell can't be protected. Not only will the offensive line's inability to block for Howell affect him in the short term, but it could have a damaging impact in the long term as well.
Ron Rivera's days could be numbered:
Most of the chatter heading into the game was about the job security of Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.
After Thursday, that convo may shift to Commanders head coach Ron Rivera.
With a chance to play in primetime at home against a winless opponent that's dealing with issues on and off the field and was on a 14-game losing streak, Washington had its worst performance of the season. That's an indictment on Rivera and the rest of his coaching staff for being unable to get the team ready to play in a game they were favored to win.
Washington hasn't made the playoffs since 2020. The Commanders had their chance down the stretch of the 2022 season, but a late collapse that included starting Carson Wentz in a must-win game effectively ended their chances of securing a playoff berth.
With no ties to new ownership and a developing habit of being unable to have his team properly ready to play in big games, Rivera could be shown the door sooner rather than later.
