Ben Johnson had every reason to talk about the weather after the Bears’ 9-3 loss to the Vikings. He just probably didn’t have much reason to expect fans to buy it.
Chicago got a rough afternoon at Soldier Field, sure. The rain came down, the conditions were messy, and neither offense looked comfortable. But the Bears also spent the day tripping over themselves, and that part had nothing to do with the forecast.
After the game, Johnson said the elements were central to what happened.
“The weather was a major factor of this game. It was a big story of this game,” Johnson said.
“Both defensive coordinators did a great job making it very challenging for the opposing offense. And so, I thought that was the tale of the tape.
And like I said, when you get into a game like this, that’s where every play is critical. That’s where the turnovers really, really hurt you.
And obviously, the blocked field goal really hurts us as well.”
He’s not wrong that the rain mattered. It was there all afternoon, and it helped turn the game into a slog. But Minnesota was dealing with the same weather, and the Vikings still found a way to leave with the win without scoring a touchdown.
That’s what makes the explanation so hard to sit with for Bears fans. Chicago’s defense did enough to win almost on its own, holding Minnesota to 246 total yards and zero touchdowns.
Carson Wentz finished with just 143 passing yards. The Bears even outgained the Vikings 297-246 and still came up empty.
The offense, though, kept handing the game back.
Chicago piled up seven penalties in the first half alone. One 14-yard completion to Colston Loveland disappeared because of an illegal shift, and the drive got worse from there with a holding penalty and a grounding call.
Williams also threw an interception, the Bears gave up four sacks, and a late 23-yard field goal was blocked. Williams eventually left with a hamstring injury after going 15 of 26 for 138 yards.
That’s not just a wet-ball problem. That’s a unit beating itself.
And the timing makes it even uglier. One week earlier, Johnson’s offense opened the season by putting up 59 points and 552 yards against Carolina. The Bears ran for 291 yards and looked like they might finally have the attack fans expected when Johnson arrived.
Seven days later, they scored three.
That kind of swing doesn’t get explained away by rain alone.
Chicago brought Johnson in because the organization believed he could fix this side of the ball. Instead, after a game in miserable conditions and against Brian Flores’ pressure, the offense never found an answer. The Bears’ defense gave them chance after chance, and a division opponent that didn’t score a touchdown still walked out with a 9-3 win.
That’s the part fans won’t forget.
Not the rain. Not the weather report. The fact that Chicago had every opportunity to avoid this loss and kept getting in its own way.
In Other News...
Javier Bez Creates A Tigers Dilemma They Can't Ignore
Javier Bez is still part of the Tigers long-term picture, and that alone keeps his situation from being a simple one. He remains under contract through the 2027 season at a $24 million salary, a commitment that matters more now because his offensive production has dropped and his availability has been limited. Detroit has younger infielders pressing for playing time, which only adds to the pressure around how the club maps out its roster.
The Tigers have not said whether they intend to trade or release Bez, and that uncertainty leaves them weighing more than just on-field performance. His role in 2027 will have to be sorted against the backdrop of both his contract and the organizations need to keep developing its younger players, a balance that is going to make this one of the more delicate decisions on the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Tigers May Be Setting Up A Long Awaited Prospect Debut
As the Tigers close out a season that no longer has October attached to it, the club is still making small roster decisions with an eye on what comes next. Emily Waldon of Baseball America reported that Max Anderson and Corey Julks were among the players on the taxi squad and would stay with Detroit after its game against the White Sox, a sign that the organization is keeping some young depth close as the final stretch winds down.
Andersons presence is what makes the move especially interesting, since he is not currently on the 40-man roster and speculation has already started about a possible MLB debut. The Tigers also had a notable off-field item this week, announcing that Comerica Park will be renamed Fifth Third Park starting in 2027 after Comerica is acquired by Fifth Third Bank, while former Tigers Brandon Inge and Shane Greene took part in an event at the ballpark with Savannah Bananas affiliates. [Read more 🡒]
Jason Benetti Gave Tigers Fans One Viral Moment To Salvage This Season
The Tigers postseason hopes were already gone when Jason Benetti delivered the kind of offbeat broadcast moment that can briefly cut through a frustrating season. During a game call, the play-by-play announcer reached for a historical reference while comparing Riley Greenes OPS to the year the Austro-Turkish War started, a comparison so oddly specific it instantly stood out even in a long baseball year.
Then came the punchline from elsewhere in the production booth, as Benettis cameraman hilariously panned to an ad on the outfield wall to needle him right back. For a team and fan base looking for any lighter note after the playoff chase ended, the exchange became one of the seasons most shareable clips, a reminder that sometimes the best Tigers moment is the one that never shows up in the standings. [Read more 🡒]