I don’t need or want to make a huge deal out of this but at the same time it basically cost us the game at 17-6, marching into Vikings Red Zone and then get flagged back to a 50-yarder for a guy with enough juice to scratch 44.
None of that happens without the phantom holding penalty and it’s complete bullshit.
Especially when known expert Geoff Schwartz shares in the same sentiment. If you’re not watching the entire play, don’t just throw a flag because you see a body on the ground.
THAT SAID.
We saw this coming as predicted on the Monday Morning Cubs Show. We’ve been so bad recent years that we forgot what it’s like to get fucked by the referees in a big moment. And I stand by that even more so after last night.
Hating and blaming referees is a privilege in this world.
And right now my privilege says the zebras completely fucked us for no other reason than it’s good for league ratings. And if you don’t believe me, wait until we get a new stadium and the calls start going our way. I can do 10,000 words on this conspiracy or I can just tell you the NFL is leveraging advantageous officiating to build new stadiums.
Chicago is just another victim right now so don’t be surprised to see more obnoxious officiating against the Bears in the coming weeks.
Until then, I would like to take a serious moment here to say Darnell Wright looked very good last night.
Obviously I know much, MUCH more about baseball and the Chicago Cubs.
But it was pretty obvious all 4 quarters that our tackles (the biggest question mark this year, I think) were significantly better than the media had prepared us this offseason.
Like if we’re getting that effort and strength from Wright and Jones this year then I am 100% willing to narrow my focus to quarterback play, leadership and discipline. Whereas in years past you could keep it open it up to just being a terrible football organization top to bottom. Now it appears we can drill down into specific tactical issues and last night said the issue is more on the interior than outside.
Only one game, sure.
But the pressure and problems last night came inbetween the tackles and that’s actually really encouraging.
Am I sucker?
Absolutely.
But we need to be finding silver linings before surrendering the season. And right now my silver lining says that the biggest question mark on the offensive side of the ball actually looked really fucking good yesterday, phantom holding penalties be damned.
Now we just need to tighten up #18 and I actually think there’s a big run on the calendar with this team.
I really do.