The Bears' Week 5 2nd half collapse against the Panthers was awful - but don't overreact

The Bears were looking really strong in Week 5 against Carolina. At least, in the first half. In the first half, the Bears were firing on all cylinders on offense, and a defense, one of the weakest last season, held up for the most part against Cam Newton's offense.

But the Bears showed their inconsistency and 2nd-half struggles to the NFL world again this week, dropping to 2-3, and losing very winnable games. In the last 2 games, the Bears have been outscored 34-3 in the 2nd half, mainly because of no creativity in the offensive playcall. Sloppy Jay Cutler turnovers and consistently poor performances from the Bears defense have also been contributing factors to the Bears' recent 2nd half woes.

A lack of creativity on offensive plays has plagued the Bears in the 2nd half this season.

The Panthers showed exactly what the Packers showed last week. The Bears offense has potential and talent, and they show that in the first half. But, as defenses start to adjust (like Carolina and Green Bay has done the past two weeks), Marc Trestman and Offensive Coordinator Aaron Kromer fail to draw something up on offense, often running the same exact plays that they did in the first half - or even the previous drive. There is no originality in the Bears playcall - on both offense and defense - and that's going to continue to haunt Chicago (especially in the 2nd half). 

However, now's not the time to panic. Yes, the offense is very underwhelming thus far this year. Yes, the defense still has some problems to fix. But the Bears have the weapons and talent on offense that almost every other NFL team covets. Matt Forte is a top-tier running back, Martellus Bennett is a formidable tight end (to say the least), and the Bears have the top wide-receiver duo in the league. 

The Bears have the weapons on offense, but with poor playcalling and inconsistent quarterback play, you can't really blame Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery for Chicago's struggles this year.

If Jay Cutler can clean up the turnovers, the defense remains at least average, and the Bears fix their playcalling issues (which will, in turn, fix up their 2nd half woes), then I still see the Bears as a threat in the NFC. And, if all three of these things happen, the Bears offense will improve greatly. The offense - expected to lead but is now disappointing - will need Cutler to perform if they want to be better. 

If the Bears want to improve, Jay Cutler needs to play better - and more consistently

However, there is no guarantee these three things will happen. I'm not saying it's impossible, but with Chicago has played this year, it seems unlikely. Trestman needs to give the ball to Forte more often to keep pressure away from Cutler. However, Forte's not getting the ball, and defenses get to focus on the quarterback more. This will cause Cutler to throw into double coverage, and Jay will eventually face more pressure in the pocket. This, in turn will lead to even more Cutler turnovers. The Bears can only get better if Cutler improves his play. But Jay will need Trestman to call more creative (and run) plays if he wants to perform better at the quarterback position.

Again, I can still see the Bears as contenders in the NFC if the playcalling improves, Cutler plays more consistently, and the defense remains (at least) average. 

If these things don't happen, I'm expecting a long season for the Bears. I'm expecting a lot of games to go like this week's matchup with Carolina - potential in the first half, but a collapse in the second.