3 takeaways from Bears SNF loss against the Chargers

The Bears defense was once again torched by a dynamic back that was being used out of the backfield. Chargers running back Austin Ekeler finished the game with 123 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, with 94 of those yards coming in the passing game.

The Bears were able to hold Ekeler to just 1.9 rushing yards on the ground but couldn't find a way to limit him out of the backfield. Ekeler's 94 receiving yards is the most he's had in a game since Week 7, 2022.

This is definitely an area the Bears need to get cleaned up before next week. In Week 9, the Bears are scheduled to face the New Orleans Saints and running back Alvin Kamara, who just totaled 110 scrimmage yards and 2 touchdowns against the Colts.

Committee Backfield Approach Isn't Working

The Chicago Bears have ran into a good problem to have, but one that is causing some serious problems on offense. The team simply has too many mouths to feed and no true way to get them fed in the running game.

The Bears utilized three different primary backs in Week 8's loss and none were able to build up any kind of momentum. D'Onta Foreman led the team with nine carries for 34 yards, rookie Roschon Johnson had six carries for 21 yards, and Darrynton Evans added four carries for 18 yards and 1 touchdown.

In each of the Bears six losses, they had three or more players each recording four or more carries. Things will continue to get even more complicated in the backfield in the coming weeks with quarterback Justin Fields possibly set to return in Week 9 and starting running back Khalil Herbert scheduled to return from the IR in Week 10.

The Bears rushing attack overall has been solid in 2023, just as it was last season, but it's proven to be most effective when one player is able to grind down the opposing defenses and build some momentum in the run game.

Penalties Where A Dealbreaker

While the Chargers managed to put up 30 points and clearly looked like the better team on Sunday night, the Bears constantly were hurting themselves more than anything.

The Bears finished the game with seven enforced penalties totaling 53 yards. The penalties constantly killed drives early in the game for the Bears and flat out made the offense look sloppy on national television. It's been a repeating issue for the Bears that needs to be figured out going forward.

Overall, it was an embarrassing team performance by the Bears on Sunday night. The huge loss proves the last few weeks have been a mirage for the team and their fans. Let's see how the Bears respond after being publicly humiliated next weekend.