The Chicago Bears had a far more dominating win than the 31-23 score suggests, with a late fourth quarter gasp from the Falcons offense providing a bit of window dressing. Still, there is no taking away from the fact that this was an extremely dominating win, one that put Chicago's season back on track and served as a reminder of how elite Caleb Williams makes the Bears offense. If not for penalties and a late turnover, this game should've been a runaway in favor of the Bears.
With this in mind, there was very little to be upset about, aside from mistakes that included an ejection for receiver Jahdae Walker. The pass catcher being a bit on edge is understandable when you look at the lack of production, with a one-yard touchdown catch being the only production offered offensively. Still, there is no excuse for Walker losing his cool and ramming his helmet into Atlanta receiver Chris Blair after the kick-off return had already been stopped.
It doesn't matter what Blair said or might have done earlier in the play to draw this reaction. Chicago has firm control of the game and needs all units to understand a desperate Atlanta team is going to do anything possible to attempt to find a spark.
The receiver is already a borderline roster piece after the emergence of Kalif Raymond and the clear speed of Zavion Thomas. Walker has been reduced to a depth piece and cannot afford to lose his cool especially in a game that was well in control.
Dennis Allen had his defense playing soft and allowed the Falcons to come back in this game understanding that it was simply a matter of running out the clock. However, Walker getting thrown out of the game and giving 15 yards on the penalty was simply a self-inflicted mistake that pointed to a lack of maturity.
It is something that Ben Johnson and the Chicago staff will unquestionably call out. This game may not have hung in the balance on this mistake, but special teamers have to be more capable of keeping emotions in check. Walker let the situation get the best of him and in the wrong game it could easily push the Bears into a loss.
With that said, there is no doubt that Walker is going to continue to make plays throughout the stretch of the season. Even as a depth receiver, Johnson's style of offense is going to feed all of Chicago's playmakers and the receiver has previously proven more than capable of coming up clutch even is Sunday was an undeniably bad look.
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This article was originally published on www.dawindycity.com as Jahdae Walker put damper on Bears decisive win with ugly decision .
