Does the question even need to be asked?
Why Do I Like the Chicago Bears this Week?
I.
Always.
Like.
THE.
Chicago.
Bears.
Here’s the Game.
- The Bears allow 147.2 yards per game on the ground. Only two teams are worse in that category, including the Lions, allowing 148.8. That’s a push.
- The Bears have the league’s top ranked rushing attack, anchored by their quarterback’s ability to gain huge chunks of yardage. But the Lions are ranked ninth in that category. Might not be a push, but pretty close.
- The Bears have only 13 sacks on the season. Only three teams are worse in that category, including the Lions, with 12. That’s a push.
- Jared Goff’s last four QB ratings: 62.7 (Patriots), 71.2 (Cowboys), 108.1 (Dolphins), 78.5 (Packers).
- When one watches Goff tape, two things stand out. First, he throws 3-5 balls a game that should be intercepted. Second, Amon-Ra St. Brown is now his only reliable weapon, with T.J. Hockenson shipped off the Minnesota. He’ll look to force him the ball on most third downs.
- Justin Fields’ last four QB ratings: 71.5 (Commanders), 85.2 (Patriots), 120 (Cowboys), 106.7 (Dolphins).
With both of these teams being able to run it, neither being able to stop the run, and neither being able to generate pressure, this game will come down to quarterback play. And right now, that is a mismatch that favors the Chicago Bears.
Tweet of the Week, Lions Edition
— Bodega Cats (@Bodegacats_) November 8, 2022
Off-Season Needs Power Rankings
(5) ILB. Roquan Smith is gone and will need a replacement. Could Jack Sanborn be that guy? He’s got two months to make his case. If he does, cornerback slides into this spot.
(4) OL. Many will think the line is too low (high?) in these rankings but the Bears, and their quarterback, are showing how productive they can be offensively even without an elite group up front. The Bears need two new starters on the OL this off-season. And with their available cash, that should be relatively easy to accomplish.
(3) DT. There is a reason the Bears targeted Larry Ogunjobi last off-season. They knew they were flawed in the middle of their defensive line, and they get blown off the ball every Sunday. They can’t become a contender allowing a million yards a week on the ground. They need big bodies in the middle.
(2) WR. If Chase Claypool emerges – and he will – the Bears will still need to add a weapon or two on the outside, and hopefully that weapon is a premiere draft pick that brings the Bears their version of Jefferson, Chase, Adams, etc.
(1) Edge. The modern NFL is about the quarterback position and the Bears need multiple pass rushers. Can Dominique Robinson and Trevis Gipson be reliable rotational players? Yes. But neither are stars. Neither are game wreckers. And the Bears need game wreckers.
Tomorrow: Prediction!
