One play away.The Chicago Bears came just short of winning their first playoff game in eight years on Sunday Cody Whitehair Jersey , losing to the Philadelphia Eagles at home in a 16-15 shootout. Though it was a last-second missed field goal by Cody Parkey that put the final nail in the coffin, the Bears still had plenty of missed opportunities that could have won them the game.For the last time this season, here are some of my notes and takeaways from this week’s game.OffenseIn the biggest game of his career, Mitchell Trubisky stepped up when it mattered most.He was incredibly close to having multiple turnovers early on in the game. His decision making was fairly questionable in the first half, and he tried to force a lot of throws that simply weren’t there. As many as three of his passes could - and probably should - have been intercepted, and he got very lucky that the Eagles were unable to capitalize on them. However, Trubisky caught fire in the second half, completing 13 of his 20 passing attempts for 198 yards and a touchdown. He made several clutch throws and showed great poise in the pocket and incredible ball placement on a lot of his passes. He played very well to finish off the season, showing off traits of a true franchise quarterback. His further development heading into the 2019 season should be interesting to watch.Part of Trubisky’s late-game heroics can be attributed to his receivers, who were able to unleash hell upon Philadelphia’s secondary. Allen Robinson put together his best performance of the year, catching 10 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. He was a truly dominant factor in the passing game, and he looked like the No. 1 receiver that Chicago signed him to be. Taylor Gabriel caught four passes for 37 yards, and Anthony Miller had a good first half with three catches for 34 yards: he was not able to put up any more numbers in the second half.One thing that was confusing was Matt Nagy’s use of Tarik Cohen throughout the game. The second-year running back only had four touches on offense, with only one of them coming on the ground. As their most electric playmaker, it was strange that the Bears used him so sparingly in this matchup.Nagy’s playcalling in the first half was very conservative and timid, which had a major influence on Chicago’s only scoring six points in the first half. The offense rarely tried to test Philadelphia deep early on, which result in Pat O’Donnell’s punting the ball on three of their five offensive drives. The Bears had three plays that went for more than 10 yards in the first half, as well. He did a little bit better late in the game when he started trusting Trubisky’s arm more, but the team would have benefited from a more aggressive game plan.DefenseEddie Jackson is an incredibly important part of the Bears’ defense, and if anybody says otherwise, show them this game.Jackson was active but rarely played due to injury, and his range and instincts were sorely missed on Sunday. Nick Foles had a very underwhelming game, making several ill-advised throws throughout the game that a player like Jackson could have picked off. Nonetheless, the Bears were still able to pick Foles off twice, with Adrian Amos and Roquan Smith coming through with turnovers.Chicago’s run defense was fantastic all day, only allowing 41 yards on 23 attempts. Akiem Hicks was a force in the backfield, and he finished up the game with four tackles. Eddie Goldman also contributed four tackles. Khalil Mack did not have a sack, but he had six tackles and had a hit on Foles. Philadelphia left tackle Jason Peters did a good job of containing him in pass protection. Leonard Floyd helped out in Mack’s place, recording the Bears’ only sack of the game.Chicago had nine deflected passes in this game, but they also allowed a handful of big plays through the air. Former Bear Alshon Jeffery had the upper hand over All-Pro Kyle Fuller, finishing the night with six catches for 82 yards and creating consistent separation. Zach Ertz was a physical threat across the middle of the field, and Golden Tate managed to snag the game-winning touchdown. Props to Sherrick McManis, though https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Jonathan-Bullard-Jersey , who broke up three passes at the nickelback position.Three and out3. The instant reaction for many Bears fans after Parkey missed his field goal - or, rather, had it deflected - was to release the kicker. The reaction is more than warranted, as Parkey missed 11 total kicks this year. As a playoff team with loads of talent and a clear playoff window, they can’t afford to be held back by their kicker. Financially, cutting him would not be beneficial to the Bears until next offseason, when they can save over $2 million in cap space by releasing him. Cutting Parkey this offseason before June 1 would result in over $5 million in dead cap space and over negative $1 million in cap savings. Releasing him after the June 1 deadline would not save any cap space, and it would result in just over $4 million in dead cap space. Though money is tight and releasing him would not do them any favors from a monetary standpoint, one can argue that the price would be worth it if it means they could find a better kicker in the process.2. This Bears team is far from finished. Trubisky is a talented quarterback who has shown a lot of growth this year, and having another offseason in Nagy’s system could result in even more progression. He is surrounded with multiple young weapons and a very good offensive line. Their defense - with or without defensive coordinator Vic Fangio - is a stacked unit with several key pieces locked up for the long haul. Nagy now has a full season as an NFL head coach under his belt, and he will be able to make adjustments this offseason as he continues to improve. While the end result this year was not ideal, the fact that the Bears managed to win 12 games and in the process, the NFC North just one season after winning five games is impressive. If they can improve that much in just one offseason, then the 2019 season could be a fruitful one for all of Chicago.1. Thanks to everyone who has tuned in to all of our postgame articles this year. It has been a fun season, and it feels great to finally be able to cover a playoff team. I will have Shrine Game and Senior Bowl previews, as well as several NFL Draft articles throughout the offseason, and the rest of the Windy City Gridiron staff will do their best to keep you all entertained and well-informed this offseason. Until next season, Bear Down. BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSSMedina: Meet a Defensive Coordinator Candidate = Bears Defensive Backs Coach Ed Donatell - Bleacher Nation - Ed Donatell appears to be the ideal in-house hire to replace Vic Fangio as Bears DC.Bears Thank Vic Fangio - ‘Could Not Be Happier For Him’ - 670 The Score - ”Vic was a key leader in bringing great defense back to Chicago,” Ryan Pace says.5@5: What Should The Priority Be For The Bears In Replacing Vic Fangio? - 670 The Score - On their daily 5 at 5 segment Thursday morning, the Mully & Haugh crew debated another five-pack of questions.-- What should be the Bears’ priority in replacing Vic Fangio?Finley: Bears OLB Khalil Mack to sit out Pro Bowl because of injury - Sun Times - Khalil Mack won't play in the Pro Bowl later this month because of an undisclosed injury.Finley: Bears kicker Cody Parkey booked for Friday's 'Today' show - Sun Times - Cody Parkey's miss apparently crossed over into the mainstream this week.Campbell: Vic Fangio's simplicity and age make for a spectacular case study as he takes over the Broncos - Chicago Tribune - Former Bears coordinator Vic Fangio has used a simplistic, no-nonsense approach to build great defenses over the past 19 years. But will his style and persona work well as Broncos head coach?Kane: Vic Fangio on becoming first-time head coach after 32 years in the NFL - 'You wanted it. You got it. You better succeed.' - Chicago Tribune - The Broncos introduced former Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio as their head coach on Thursday afternoon.Campbell: Khalil Mack will miss the Pro Bowl because of an injury - Chicago Tribune - Bears edge defender Khalil Mack will miss the Pro Bowl because of an undisclosed injury, according to an announcement by the Giants, who say their Olivier Vernon will replace Mack.Stankevitz: As Vic Fangio is introduced in Denver, Bears will have options in search for next defensive coordinator - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears have the most attractive defensive coordinator opening in the NFL, and should have their pick of candidates to replace Vic Fangio.Ellis: 2018 Bears Superlatives - MVP, biggest disappointment, rising star, and more - NBC Sports Chicago - Let's hand out some imaginary awards!Medina: Meet a Defensive Coordinator Candidate - Gregg Williams - Bleacher Nation - Gregg Williams has been one of football's best defensive coordinators for a while and is probably the best free agent candidate available.Medina: You Think You're Better Than Cody Parkey? Prove It This Saturday - Bleacher Nation - Winners of the Field Goal Challenge can take home free beer for a year.Medina: In an Alternate Universe, We're Still Talking About Allen Robinson's Best Game as a Bear - Bleacher Nation - Here's to you, Mr. Robinson, for coming up big in the passing game when it was needed the most.POLISH SAUSAGEJoe Buck Tears Rotator Cuff After Awkward Throw Down To Sideline - The Onion - Grimacing and clutching at his shoulder Akiem Hicks Color Rush Jersey , Fox NFL announcer Joe Buck tore his rotator cuff after an awkward throw down to the sideline during the second quarter of the Buccaneers vs. Cowboys game. “You hate to see an announcer go down like that. Especially on such a routine throw down to Erin to check the field conditions. He’s made that throw a thousand times,” said commentator Troy Aikman...KNOW THY ENEMYFormer Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter to interview for Browns OC job - Pride Of Detroit - Jim Bob may land on his feet immediately.Lions rumors: Steve Sarkisian, Nate Hackett in the mix for Lions OC job - Pride Of Detroit - Two candidates have emerged for the Lions OC job.Lions notes: Detroit’s front-7 ranked second-to-last in NFL - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions have some work to do in the trenches this offseason.Could someone actually be interested in trading for Laquon Treadwell? - Daily Norseman - No, that’s not a misprint or a typo or anything. Ken's Note: Well, Jim Bob Cooter is getting an interview for Cleveland, and the Browns have a lot of draft picks... so... bad coach plus bad player equals good?Over the Cap’s final projections still show three compensatory picks for the Vikings - Daily Norseman - Yep, the Cardinals still appear to have hosed usA look at all the Vikings’ free agents - Daily Norseman - And a review of each free agency typeThe Colts’ defense provides the Packers a tool to help confuse quarterbacks in 2019 - Acme Packing Company - Creating confusion on defense isn’t just about the pass rush - Indy is showing how to get in a quarterback’s head regarding what coverage he’s seeing before the snap.Packers’ inclusion of Rodgers in coaching search is good process, not cause for concern - Acme Packing Company - While some fans have accused Aaron Rodgers of having too much influence with the Packers, the team was smart in how they included him in the coaching search.Packers will not retain Ron Zook, per report - Acme Packing Company - New Packers head coach Matt LaFleur decided not to retain special-teams coordinator Ron Zook after the latter’s disastrous 2018 season.Vic Fangio thinks he can make Von Miller better, and Miller likes the sound of that – ProFootballTalk - Von Miller has been one of the best players in the NFL since the Broncos took him with the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, but his new coach thinks his best football is ahead of him.Jahns & Finley: Bears defensive coordinator search - Who should Bears hire? Rex Ryan? Ed Donatell? - Sun Times - The Chicago Sun-Times' Adam L. Jahns and Patrick Finley debate what the Bears should do at defensive coordinator.Finley: Bears coach Matt Nagy - 'Bittersweet to move on' after losing Vic Fangio | Chicago Sun-Times - Matt Nagy congratulated Fangio, who at 60 is taking over a team for the first time.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONSchmitz; WCG Roundtable - Does Jordan Howard Fit in Nagy’s Offense? - Windy City Gridiron - Windy City Gridiron attempts to answer whether or not the Bears should keep fan-favorite Jordan Howard going into the final year of his contract. In this first edition, we look at whether or not he fits in the offensive scheme overall.Silverstein: The premature pain of the double doink - Windy City Gridiron - Four days later, one Bears fan won’t move forward.Wiltfong: Khalil Mack is skipping the Pro Bowl with an injury - Windy City Gridiron - Being named to the Pro Bowl is a bigger deal for players than playing in the actual game, and this time of year we start to hear about players bowing out of the annual all-star event. The New York...x160630: I Don't Want Them - Windy City Gridiron - This will be the shortest fanpost I have ever written. Fangio's departure was skillfully explained in the article Life without Fangio: Defensive coordinator options for the Bears by our own Robert...Marcet: 5 reasons why the Bears lost to the Eagles (other than Cody Parkey's double doink) - Windy City Gridiron - After an awesome 12-4 season that was preceded by four last-place seasons, the Bears fell short against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Soldier Field. We are all upset about the loss, but...Tjgobig: (Pictorial) Bears 2018 Season In Review: Swaggy Nagy! - Windy City Gridiron - Five years and running!If you are as torn up inside as I am about that playoff loss, you might want to revisit any of my previous 4 season reviews.It's great therapy and really puts into...Erikvo: Why you should be cautious about the 2019 Bears. - Windy City Gridiron - Off a great season, 12-4, you'd think that the Bears were certainly set to contend for a while. I'm not so sure about that.WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert ZeglinskiTHE RULESWindy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter;Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.