Dreams are rising in Chicago. Playoff chatter is amplifying. With a current stretch of high quality play and wins over the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions during the last 4 video games, the Bears are permitting themselves to think about a storybook ending to their once-dispiriting season. Players and coaches know a microfocus might be wanted, particularly towards Sunday’s sport towards the Browns, to maintain such desires alive. But hey, life has begun to really feel extra enjoyable once more at Halas Hall and round Chicago.
As we head for Week 15, right here’s a snapshot take a look at 12 notable info and figures.
12
Rank of the Bears protection, which has allowed 314.5 yards per sport this season. That’s a significant enchancment from a 12 months in the past, when the Bears ranked twenty ninth in complete protection (375.9 ypg). Over the final 5 video games, the Bears have climbed from twenty third to twelfth in complete protection and thirteenth to second in interceptions. They additionally personal the No. 2 dashing protection, permitting 83.7 yards per sport.
1
NFL rank of the Browns passing protection, which is permitting a median of 159.7 yards per sport. The Browns have been significantly stingy at residence, permitting 105.1 passing yards and 12.6 factors per sport. They lead the league in complete protection (263 ypg) and third-down effectivity (29.0%). The Browns additionally rank fourth in interception charge (3.2%)and tenth in sacks (38).
1
Net passing yards by Bears quarterback Justin Fields in his first NFL begin, a Week 3 sport in 2021 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Fields was battered all afternoon in that contest. The Browns recorded 9 sacks for 67 yards and hit the Bears rookie 15 occasions. Fields accomplished six of his 20 passes for 68 yards. The Bears squeezed a subject objective out of their opening drive in that 26-6 loss. But over their remaining 10 possessions, they mustered solely 23 yards of offense and 5 first downs.
3
Passing touchdowns from Fields throughout his final go to to Cleveland. Sure, that was within the 2022 preseason finale. But it was additionally an opportunity for Fields to conquer among the demons from that first begin towards the Browns as a rookie. In that preseason Bears victory, Fields accomplished 14 of 16 passes for 156 yards and threw touchdowns to Ryan Griffin, Dante Pettis and Cole Kmet because the Bears rolled up 198 complete yards and 21 factors earlier than halftime.
93
Consecutive move makes an attempt with out an interception by Fields, the longest streak of his profession. Fields’ final decide got here within the second quarter of a Week 6 loss to the Vikings, a move that was redirected excessive into the air when Danielle Hunter hit the Bears quarterback after a safety miscommunication. In three begins since getting back from a dislocated proper thumb, Fields is 62-for-93 passing for 609 yards with two landing passes and a 92.1 score. (For what it’s value, the Bears file for consecutive passes with out an interception is 205, set by Kyle Orton in 2008.)
4
Starting quarterbacks utilized by the Browns, who’re on to 38-year-old veteran Joe Flacco. Flacco signed to the crew’s apply squad Nov. 20 and has made two begins, together with Sunday’s 31-27 defeat of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Flacco was 26-for-45 for 311 yards and had landing tosses of 34 and 30 yards to tight finish David Njoku plus a 41-yard scoring strike to David Bell. The Browns have been 5-1 in video games began by Deshaun Watson this season, went 1-1 with short-time former Bear P.J. Walker beginning and 1-2 behind rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The Browns are one in all simply seven groups within the Super Bowl period to win not less than one sport with 4 beginning quarterbacks, a fraternity that features the 2015 Houston Texans, 2007 Panthers, 1998 Saints and the 1987, ‘88 and ‘89 Patriots.
4
Interceptions by cornerback Jaylon Johnson this season, all coming during the last seven video games. Not solely is {that a} profession excessive, Johnson had just one interception within the 37 video games he performed over his first three seasons and was with no decide within the first 4 video games he performed this 12 months. With his rookie contract as a result of expire in March, Johnson may very well be positioning himself for a top-of-the-market reward along with his ball manufacturing. He is tied for fourth within the NFL in interceptions behind solely DaRon Bland (eight), Geno Stone (six) and Jessie Bates (5). As a crew, the Bears have 9 interceptions during the last three video games.
12
Quarterback pressures, in response to Pro Football Reference, recorded by Montez Sweat within the 5 video games he has performed since becoming a member of the Bears. Pressures, as outlined by PFR, are performs on which a participant data a sack, a rush or a quarterback knockdown. Sweat has 3 1/2 sacks with the Bears. And since his arrival, the protection’s sack complete has ballooned from 10 within the first eight video games to 21 after 13 video games.
11
Browns gamers on injured reserve, together with six Week 1 starters. Starting proper deal with Jack Conklin was misplaced for the season after Week 1 with a knee damage. Running again Nick Chubb suffered a ugly season-ending knee damage the next week. Safety Rodney McLeod tore his biceps final month. Quarterback Deshaun Watson had surgical procedure to restore a fracture in his throwing shoulder. Left deal with Jedrick Willis had season-ending knee surgical procedure this week. And security Grant Delpit was positioned on I.R. on Wednesday with a groin damage. Rookie proper deal with Dawand Jones, in the meantime, who began 9 video games this season, additionally landed on IR this week and can want surgical procedure after injuring his knee final week in apply.
31
Field-goal makes an attempt made this season by Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins, a league excessive. That consists of three game-winning kicks — a 29-yarder within the remaining two minutes towards the 49ers in Week 6, a 40-yarder as time expired to beat the Ravens 4 weeks later and a 34-yarder with two seconds remaining to down the Steelers in Week 11. Hopkins is 31-for-34 on field-goal makes an attempt and has made all eight of his makes an attempt from 50 yards or longer. Bears kicker Cairo Santos can also be excellent (6-for-6) on kicks of not less than 50 yards. Santos is 26-for-28 on field-goal makes an attempt this season.
87.5
Career sacks by Browns move rusher Myles Garrett, together with a team-high 13 this season. Garrett is the franchise’s all-time chief in sacks and has recorded not less than 10 in six consecutive seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler set the Browns’ single-season sack file with 16 in 2021, matched that complete final season and is threatening to tie or break the file once more this 12 months.
6
NFC groups with a successful file since Week 4, together with the Bears, who’ve overcome an 0-4 begin to climb to 5-8. The greatest crew within the NFC since Week 4 is the Dallas Cowboys, who’ve gone 7-2. Four different squads are 6-3 in that span — the 49ers, Eagles, Lions and Vikings. The Bears are 5-4 and head to Cleveland with their first two-game successful streak since late within the 2021 season. The final time the Bears received three consecutive video games was in Weeks 14-16 in 2020, after they beat the Texans, Vikings and Jaguars to revive their playoff probabilities.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com