Chiefs dominate Bears in final game of 2019 at Soldier Field

Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy and his team endured a frustrating night at Soldier Field. (Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)

by Cole Little - Senior Writer - Mon Dec 23 04:25:43 GMT-05:00 2019

CHICAGO — Playing for nothing but pride in Week 16, the Chicago Bears (7-8), who were eliminated from postseason contention in Week 15, underwhelmed while playing in front of their home crowd for the final time in 2019. The Bears lost to the Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) 26-3 at Soldier Field on Sunday night, with the offensive disappointment epitomizing Chicago's season. Chicago got outgained 350-234 in the contest and reached the red zone only once. As for the Chiefs, they went 3-for-4 in the red zone and never trailed the Bears.

Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was a mediocre 18-of-34 for 157 yards through the air, while Chiefs gunslinger Patrick Mahomes amassed 251 yards and two touchdowns on 23-of-33 passing. The game, which did not feature any turnovers, was a defensive struggle for most of the first half. Late in the opening quarter, Mahomes scored on a 12-yard keeper to put Kansas City up 7-0. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker connected on a 56-yard field-goal attempt early in the second quarter, and, with 52 seconds remaining before halftime, Mahomes connected with tight end Travis Kelce for a 6-yard touchdown pass.

The Chiefs led 17-0 at the intermission and continued to keep the Chicago offense in check throughout the third quarter. Veteran linebacker Terrell Suggs made his Chiefs debut after being claimed off waivers by Kansas City earlier in the week. He and the Chiefs' pass-rushing unit tallied six hits on the quarterback, three of which resulted in sacks. For the Bears, star defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was held out of the action due to lingering injury issues. The lone score of the evening for the Bears came via a 46-yard field goal from kicker Eddy Pineiro on the final play of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs tacked on nine more points. Running back Damien Williams hauled in a short pass from Mahomes and raced into the end zone for a 14-yard score. Butker missed the ensuing extra point, with the football clanging off both uprights, but he redeemed himself with a successful 32-yard field goal later in the quarter. In the 26-3 loss, Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson II nabbed six catches for 53 yards, and Chicago running back David Montgomery accrued 57 yards on the ground. Bears linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis led all defensive players in the affair with 12 tackles.