Effort and focus.
Those were the two things that Matt Nagy said Friday he'd be looking for from his players in their final two games of the season after being eliminated from playoff contention.
After Sunday night's 26-3 loss to the Chiefs, the Bears coach indicated that he had no problem with his team's effort but conceded that focus may have been lacking.
Asked whether he felt the Bears had the proper focus, Nagy said: "The score didn't indicate that. If there's not focus, then there's some sloppiness, and I felt like that kind of matched up a little bit. None of it's effort. It's different than focus."
Sunday night's 23-point loss was the most lopsided in Nagy's two seasons as Bears coach. Twelve previous defeats had come by 1, 3, 7, 3, 1, 7, 3, 11, 1, 8, 10 and 8 points.
"This one was just embarrassing," said outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who recorded the Bears' only sack Sunday night. "Understanding the situation and understanding how we wanted to represent, especially at home, most of the guys in the locker room feel disappointed."
Hats off: The Bears defense was unable to contain star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who continually extended plays with his elusiveness and mobility.
"He does a lot of great things," said safety Eddie Jackson. "Hats off to him. He's a heck of a player that does a lot of great things with his feet. He keeps his eyes down field and is always looking for a big play. He extended plays very well tonight."
Mahomes completed 23 of 33 passes for 251 yards with two touchdowns and a 112.1 passer rating. He also ran for a 12-yard touchdown on the Chiefs' opening possession of the game.
"He can make any throw," said nickel back Buster Skrine. "He was the MVP last year, so it wasn't a surprise that he had a good game."
On the shelf: Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks returned to action last Sunday in Green Bay after missing eight games with an elbow injury he sustained Oct. 6 against the Raiders in London.
Hicks practiced during the week and was expected to play against the Chiefs, but he was ruled out of the contest on Saturday. Nagy explained the decision after Sunday night's loss.
"It was later in the week, really it was Saturday when things started," Nagy said. "We just decided that we got it looked at, had some further examinations and we just felt like after that, through all of us talking, collaborating, that was the best thing to do, so that's what we did."
Looking ahead: With the Giants' beating the Redskins in overtime Sunday to clinch third-place in the NFC East, all of the Bears' opponents have been finalized for next season.
In addition to home and away games against NFC North rivals the Packers, Vikings and Lions, the Bears will host the Saints, Buccaneers, Texans, Colts and Giants; and visit the Panthers, Falcons, Titans, Jaguars and Rams.
News and notes: Eddy Piñeiro made his only field-goal attempt of the game from 46 yards and is now 7-for-7 over the last five contests ... The Bears have now been shut out in the first quarter in eight of their last nine games and haven't led after the opening period since Sept. 29 when they had a 7-0 edge over the Vikings ... The Bears failed to score in the first half Sunday night for the fourth time this season ... Nose tackle Eddie Goldman (concussion) and right guard Rashaad Coward (knee) exited the game with injuries.
