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Thanks to five takeaways, the Chicago Bears (2-1) got up early and were slow to defeat the Washington Redskins (0-3), 31-15, in the third round of Monday Night Football. week.
Here is what we learned:
1. In Chicago, the defense leaves, the team leaves. This is what has been happening for decades and it was still true Monday night. After the Bears started the game with a long practice ending in a punt, Chicago intercepted Case Keenum in Washington's first practice, with Ha Ha Clinton-Ten hosting the choice for six. From there, the Bears played in a strong position and never really let Washington back in the game. The Skins' offensive line was no match for Khalil Mack, whose first half consisted of two sacks and two forced fumbles (plus one from each penalty). Mack was not the only one to feast as Clinton-Dix followed his first quarter interception with another in the third. Danny Trevathan won a bag and a big quarterback forced Keenum with D.C. returning. Chicago closed the match with five points to go and 24 points on takeaways. After keeping the Packers close and surviving a close win over the Broncos, Chicago's victory at Landover on Monday night proved that the Bears' defense could still dictate results against quite lower opponents – at least for a half.
2. Taylor Gabriel himself had a good half. After scoring only twice in his first year in Chicago in 2018, Gabriel scored three touchdowns Monday night – all in the first half, and more specifically in the second quarter. Gabriel's first two touchdowns were scored on short routes inside the five-yard line, but his third and final score was one for the best. On Trubisky's best shot of the night, the Bears' QB came out of the pressure in the pocket and threw a dime on the right hand line to Gabriel, who was holding Josh Norman at the corner of the Redskins by a step or two . With 1.83 meters of separation, Gabriel brought back the pass and fell to the end zone with just two feet in bounds. With a 10.4% probability of completion, Gabriel's third TD grab was the least likely completion of the season, according to next-generation statistics. About as likely as Gabriel would become just the 35th player in NFL history with three touchdowns in a half. The bodybuilder could not reproduce this performance in the second half; he was excluded in the fourth quarter as a result of a concussion.
3. There is not much to celebrate about the Washington offense. Running with or without Derrius Guice still has no juice (69 yards in 21 races); the offensive line can not protect Keenum; and Keenum (three INTs) is not pleased with his imprecise strikes. But let's take the time to recognize the rising star that is Terry McLaurin. Washington's third round selection was played as a No. 1 draw in the three weeks of his rookie season. McLaurin returned to the end zone for the third time in as many games on Monday night, posting strong hands and good luck in his semifinal TD reception. McLaurin became the first WR rookie player in NFL history with at least five receptions and one touchdown in each of his first three games. After falling with Josh Doctson's selection, Washington found McLaurin (6 rec, 70 yards) a more than adequate substitute.
4. The curious racing game from Chicago was presented in spurts. In three games, David Montgomery was not the cow in the basket, on all sides above which fanciful gurus salivated in pre-season. But the elusive and ruthless back passes the eye test when he is on the ground. Montgomery was used sparingly before the last game, but the RB Bears proved critical to greet Chicago's victory, finishing with an average of 67 rushing yards in 13 races, including a 25-yard scamper that has sealed the victory. The imbalance of the offensive so far was troubling, but it could be corrected against a harder opponent.
5. It would have been unfair to replace Keenum by Redskins rookie Dwayne Haskins at half-time or at any point in the game. Unfair for Haskins, because the Chicago defense would have eaten alive behind the same line that gave Keenum a spot in the first period. Also unfair to Keenum because despite his worst night in five games, he brought D.C.'s 25 point deficit at halftime to within 15 yards of a match to a score. Keenum's play, however, could open the door in place of Haskins in the leading role in the coming weeks. At 0-3, Redskins coach Jay Gruden needs a spark to save the season, and possibly his job. Washington will win next week its rival, the Giants (1-2), who own their own QB rookie in Daniel Jones. What an opportunity for Haskins, Gruden, Bruce Allen, Dan Snyder et al. to prove to the league and its supporters that D.C. had made the right decision by selecting Haskins at # 15 and that this situation was recoverable.
6. It was not Chicago's best effort, but it was the Bears' most complete performance of the season so far. At 2-1, the Monsters of the Midway kept pace with the rest of the NFC North – Green Bay (3-0), Detroit (2-0-1), Minnesota (2-1) – and have avoided humiliation in prime time after the last minute, and perhaps very difficult, last week's victory at Mile High. Then a clash with Kirk Cousins and the Vikings at Soldier Field. According to the NFC North standings, Chicago can not afford to abandon another home division game.
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