PITTSBURGH -- The Chicago Bears battled all the way back until they were undone by their struggling defense in the waning moments of Monday night's 29-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Chicago rookie quarterback Justin Fields brought the Bears back from the brink when he engineered a late drive that featured impressive completions to Allen Robinson (39 yards) and Darnell Mooney (touchdown) to pull Chicago in front -- momentarily. The defense, long the strength of the team, allowed the Steelers to march right down the field and kick the winning field goal, which extended the Bears' losing streak to four games.
Matt Nagy's team just can't catch a break.
The Bears were the victim of several questionable calls Monday, including a brutal taunting penalty on Cassius Marsh, who was just signed off the practice squad. There was also an illegal low block on guard James Daniels that cost Chicago a touchdown.
Add it all up: The Bears are in serious trouble at 3-6. You can probably forget about the NFC North title. Even the wild card is in serious jeopardy.
QB Breakdown: Fields was good, but not great. Still, the late touchdown pass to Mooney is the defining moment in Fields' young career up to this point.
"I felt it was time," Fields said. "I was calm and ready to go."
Added Nagy: "That was big for Justin and the offense, but in the end, we lost."
True, but Fields' calm demeanor in such a clutch moment bodes well for the future. Someone is going to turn Fields into a very good NFL quarterback. Whether it's this current regime remains to be seen.
Slipping away: Losers of four straight, Bears -- and Nagy -- are on the ropes. Nagy wasn't interested in moral victories after Monday's loss.
"We have to go out and in," Nagy said. "It's encouraging to see the fight in the team, but ultimately, we have to win to turn it around."
The bye comes at a good time for the Bears, who have to regroup. Chicago still has Baltimore, Arizona and Green Bay coming up in the second half. Good luck.
Describe the game in two words: Heartbreaker. This might have been the Bears' last shot to save the season. It did not end well.