Chicago Bears: 5 Things Bears Need to Fix After Loss to Packers

On Sunday, the Chicago Bears dropped to 1-2 with their 27-17 home loss to the Green Bay Packers.

While there a few bright moments that can be taken away from the game, most of what remains for the Bears is negative.

Despite being a factor in the passing game, running back Matt Forte ran for a mere two yards on nine carries. Yes, that's not a typo. I had to type his numerical stats because they were so bad.

The team showed resilience in the second half, but Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were just too strong.

For the most part, the smoke has cleared from Soldier Field, so here are five things the Bears need to fix before they host Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

Offensive Line

It's axiomatic that the Bears field one of the worst offensive lines in the entire NFL. However, on Sunday, I wouldn't say they played terrible.

They kept Jay Cutler on his feet to a degree, allowing the Packers only three sacks—which is a season season-best for the Bears.

That doesn't go without saying that they allowed 10 tackle for loss because their run blocking was atrocious. They couldn't keep a hat on a hat for more than a second, and it was embarrassing.

Look, I understand they were starting two backups yesterday, but it's inexcusable.

Even though there are many things the Bears need to improve, the offensive line is so vital to the offense, making their improvement the No. 1 item on the Bears agenda.

How to fix it: Let Jay Cutler roll-out more and have the line shift with him. It will relieve some pressure off the line. Plus, Cutler proved he could be a good quarterback on the run when he was in Denver.

Offensive Coordinator

Yes, that heading reads correctly. The Bears need to fix their offensive coordinator.

I'm well aware of Mike Martz's successes as a play-caller in the NFL, but he simply doesn't have the personnel to be successful with the Chicago Bears.

It's either the Bears go out and get some playmakers and sign some proven offensive linemen that can protect Cutler in the pocket, or Martz has to change up his style of play.

While I'm almost certain that Martz isn't going to change up his game plans anytime soon, the Bears are in a tough position.

It's blatantly obvious that the Bears aren't the "Greatest Show on Turf," Martz might be the only one who hasn't notices.

How to fix it: Can him.

Mentality

This is a huge one for me because to compete in the NFL, you can not come out of the opening gate flat.

Against the Packers the Bears did just that, producing a punt, interception and another punt on their first three drives. They were down 14-0 by the time they put together their first substantial drive.

Against lesser teams, they might be able to get away with erasing a 14-point deficit. However, against teams like the Packers and Lions, that isn't going to fly.

For me, it comes down to arrogance. The Bears come out and think they're going to win—which is by no means a bad thing—but when they hit the field, they play uninspired football.

How to fix it: Coaching.

Special Teams

There's no question that the new kickoff rule may have effected the Bears more than any other team in the NFL.

It shows in this stat: Last year, the Bears average starting drive position was the 33.7-yard line, best in the league by nearly five yards. Yesterday against the Packers, their average starting field position was the 24.9-yard line.

The Bears desperately need Devin Hester to break a big one. It's as simple as that; he's so electrifying that it could be the boost the Bears need in a tight game.

I mean, it's Devin Hester. Am I asking too much?

How to fix it: I liked that gadget "ghost" punt return in the fourth quarter!

Penalties

In total, the Bears were penalized 10 times for 70 yards against the Packers.

That stat tells me that the infractions were more than just the five-yard false start variety.

Two inexcusable penalties that really stood out to me were these: Chris Spencer's holding after Brian Urlacher's interception, and Devin Hester's 15-yard unnecessary roughness for throwing a punch.

Both plays were simply atrocious. The team just made a huge play on defense, and then on back-to-back plays on the ensuing drive, you set the offense back 25 yards.

That pretty much ended the chance of a Bears comeback.

The is the stuff that really gets under my skin. It's stupid football.

How to fix it: Discipline. Coaching.