Luther Burden III Shows Out in Big Stage Return, but Bears Fall Short in Shootout
Luther Burden III didn’t need long to remind everyone why the Bears were so high on him when they used a second-round pick to bring him to Chicago. Back in action after missing a week with an ankle injury, Burden stepped into a spotlight that couldn’t have been brighter: a road game against the 49ers, a fellow playoff contender, in front of a national audience - and with the Bears’ top receiver sidelined.
This was a moment for the rookie to show he belongs. And he did just that.
Burden delivered a breakout performance, setting career highs in both receptions (8) and receiving yards (138). He was the Bears’ most dynamic offensive weapon all night, leading the team in both categories and giving San Francisco’s secondary all it could handle.
His ability to create separation after the catch - that signature YAC ability that made him such a problem at Missouri - was on full display. He made defenders miss in space, turned short gains into chunk plays, and looked every bit the explosive playmaker Chicago hoped he’d become.
And while the Bears ultimately came up short in a 42-38 loss, Burden’s performance was a bright spot that could carry major implications as the team heads toward the postseason.
There was one hiccup: a drop on the final drive that could’ve extended the Bears’ comeback hopes. But even that didn’t dampen the overall sense that Burden is emerging at just the right time. The rookie’s confidence, route-running, and toughness were all on display - and fans took notice.
The bigger concern came on the final play, when Burden appeared to tweak something in his leg and had to be carted off to the X-ray room. Not what you want to see from a player who just had his best game as a pro.
But there’s some early optimism - Burden was reportedly available for postgame interviews and said he was “tired as hell” after the game, which, all things considered, is a much better sign than silence from the locker room. With the playoffs just two weeks away, the Bears will likely play it safe and give him some rest.
Still, for a team looking for offensive spark as the postseason looms, Burden’s breakout couldn’t have come at a better time. He looked like the kind of player you can build around - a future WR1 who can take over a game when it matters most.
Mizzou’s Gator Bowl Loss: A Familiar Storyline
Switching gears to the college front, Missouri’s Gator Bowl performance felt like a season recap in miniature. The Tigers once again found themselves in a game that was close - but not quite. A season of "almosts" ended with another one, this time in a frustrating loss to Virginia.
Despite having an All-American running back on the roster, Mizzou’s offensive struggles reared their head again. The most baffling moment?
A 4th-and-2 with the game on the line - and their star back wasn’t even on the field. That decision left fans scratching their heads and summed up much of the confusion that’s surrounded the Tigers’ offense this season.
It wasn’t just the offense, either. On defense, Missouri couldn’t get off the field.
Virginia converted 13 third downs - a staggering 56.5% conversion rate - and kept Mizzou’s defense guessing all night. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz admitted as much, noting the Cavaliers did a solid job of mixing the run, quick screens, and tempo to keep the Tigers off balance.
It’s the kind of game that leaves a program with more questions than answers. The pieces are there - talent on both sides of the ball - but the execution and decision-making haven’t consistently followed. For Mizzou, it’s a tough way to close out a season that started with promise but never quite found its rhythm.
As the offseason begins, both the Bears and the Tigers find themselves at turning points. One is hoping its young star can stay healthy and lead a playoff run. The other is looking to regroup after another season of what-could-have-beens.