The protection delivered one other sturdy efficiency, intercepting two passes and limiting the Colts to 306 yards and 15 first downs. One Indianapolis landing got here after an offside penalty on the punt return workforce prolonged a drive and one other occurred after Indianapolis had recovered a Williams fumble on the Bears’ 16.
“Disillusioned within the loss,” stated coach Matt Eberflus. “I assumed we had some actually good alternatives on the market to win the sport. I used to be happy with the best way the fellows fought all through all the sport, and my message to them within the locker room afterward was simply this: It was missed alternatives. We had alternatives to win that sport.
“The very first thing we’ve to do is honor the soccer … That is a very powerful factor in profitable, and we have got to do an excellent job. After which as soon as we do get takeaways, we have got to attain off these alternatives. They scored on these alternatives, and we didn’t.”
Within the first half, the Bears generated 247 yards whereas possessing the ball for 19:23, however they failed to attain. Their two finest possibilities got here late within the second quarter.
First, they’d first-and-goal from the 4 however had been unable to get into the tip zone on 4 performs. Khalil Herbert took a direct snap out of the shotgun and gained two yards on first down, was held to at least one yard on second down and was stuffed for no acquire on third down. On fourth-and-goal from the 1, Williams pitched the ball on an choice play to Swift, who had no working room and retreated, dropping 12 yards.
“[The offense] was higher than the primary couple weeks, I assumed,” Kmet stated. “We had plenty of sustained drives. I really feel like we ran plenty of performs in the present day. It felt like we had been on the market so much, time of possession and all that stuff. However we have simply acquired to complete ultimately zone and be higher in that regard.
“That first one earlier than the half, that is not the identification that we wish to carry. We wish to be a workforce that you simply get contained in the 5, you are capable of run the ball and shove it down a workforce’s throat and simply get factors that manner. Disillusioned in that. We want factors there and we simply weren’t capable of get it finished.”
On the ultimate snap of the primary half from the Colts’ 45, Williams’ Hail Mary move into the tip zone was deflected and caught by Moore on the 1. However the veteran receiver was tackled instantly wanting the purpose line.
“The Hail Mary, shoot, I used to be so shut,” Moore stated. “Received to discover a technique to rating on that. To not come away with factors within the first half was a dagger within the coronary heart.”
The Bears rallied within the second half, reducing the deficit to 14-9 on Williams’ 1-yard landing move to Odunze halfway by the fourth quarter and 21-16 on Williams’ 6-yard TD strike to Kmet with 2:01 to play. However the Colts picked up a primary down on Jonathan Taylor’s 13-yard run and ran out the clock to clinch the win.
Taylor rushed for 110 yards and two TDs on 23 carries. Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson accomplished 10 of 20 passes for 167 yards with two interceptions and a 39.0 passer score. He additionally rushed for twenty-four yards on eight carries.
“I used to be happy with the best way the protection fought in the present day,” Eberflus stated. “Had a few good takeaways, had a pleasant fourth-down cease after some sudden adjustments. Had a pleasant turnover within the pink zone down there to cease a rating.
“However total it is simply acquired to be higher. We have got to do a greater job as a workforce, honoring the soccer and simply doing the small print proper and taking part in higher. My hat’s off to the Colts. They gained the sport, however we left one on the market in the present day.”