Every week earlier, the Chicago Bears stored it shut for a half in opposition to the Buffalo Bills. Previously they’ve waited till the fourth quarter to soften down.
On Sunday at Ford Field, the Bears had two respectable offensive possessions to start, after which it was a very good, old school butt-kicking.
10 ideas after the Detroit Lions demolished the Bears 41-10.
1. You know what the worst a part of this loss is?
It’s not the 504 yards of offense the Lions have been in a position to roll up, the primary time an opponent has hit the Bears for half a thousand in a non-overtime recreation since a 54-11 loss on the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 22, 2013. It’s not the brutal offensive displaying through which Justin Fields accomplished as many passes — seven — as he took sacks. It’s not the season-high 31-point margin or the actual fact the Lions had 19 extra first downs. It’s not that the Lions produced factors on six of their first seven possessions.
The most bothersome ingredient of this shellacking is that in a season constructed to construct for the long run with a deal with course of and progress, coaches should work extra time to supply a lot in the best way of optimistic moments. That’s the true disgrace of this recreation. Blowouts occur and the Bears have performed in an abnormally excessive variety of shut video games whereas placing collectively a 3-13 report. This one was so unhealthy, although, that it might appear disingenuous for the Bears to counsel there have been flashes of progress with one week remaining within the season.
The Bears have tied the franchise report for many losses in a season. They completed 3-13 in 2016 and have been 1-13 in 1969. They’ve misplaced a franchise-record 9 consecutive video games, no small deal when you think about it’s their 103rd season. They’ve misplaced eight in a row in opposition to NFC North opponents.
At the top of the 2016 season, who knew the Bears have been yet another bumpy 12 months from a division title and a house playoff recreation? Not many might have predicted the fairytale first season for coach Matt Nagy in 2018. The Bears adopted up 1969 with one other six shedding seasons in a row earlier than a 7-7 end in 1976 after which a 9-5 report in 1977.
There have been just a few core items on protection in 2016, when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was doing his greatest to construct that aspect of the ball. The Bears have been lucky he stayed on when Nagy was employed, and a very good protection turned nice after the commerce for out of doors linebacker Khalil Mack.
The troubling factor is what do coach Matt Eberflus and basic supervisor Ryan Poles need to really feel usually enthusiastic about when constructing this roster? Some imagine quarterback Justin Fields is the long-awaited substitute for Sid Luckman. I don’t know in the event that they really feel that manner at Halas Hall. Who can inform from a season through which the Bears have been statistically horrible throwing the soccer?
Yes, the offensive line must be improved. They want extra assist at large receiver. Fields can’t do it by himself, and he has proven unimaginable flashes this season that warrant giving him extra assist to see if he can break by.
What else is there in the best way of constructing blocks, guys who could be distinction makers on offense? You can discuss in regards to the strengths of a handful of gamers and level to some statistics right here and there. Running again Khalil Herbert has had a pleasant season, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Tight finish Cole Kmet has six landing catches — half of them in opposition to the Lions. That’s about it.
On protection, the secondary is filled with younger gamers who’ve gained a ton of enjoying time. Strong security Jaquan Brisker had a extremely tough recreation in opposition to the Lions. Film overview received’t be pleasant. It’s simple to return down on a security for a poor angle or missed sort out when the entrance seven is being run over (once more), however this recreation wasn’t good. Think there may be anybody within the entrance seven who is usually a key contributor to a top-10 protection?
That’s the place the Bears are. Poles has stripped this factor down — and I’m not saying that was the flawed factor to do. You can’t half-ass a rebuild and the group has greater than $88 million in useless salary-cap house this season, clearing the books for a recent begin in 2023. Now the soccer acumen of Poles and his workers shall be put to the take a look at.
If you’ve spent an excessive amount of time questioning what sort of prize might be ready for Poles on the prime of the draft, you might have ignored the truth {that a} stud go rusher, defensive sort out, large receiver or left sort out (you decide the place) received’t remodel this roster. There’s extra work to do than you might need thought a month or two in the past and definitely at the beginning of this season.
That’s as a result of the Bears are coming off a brutal loss and so they can’t discover younger gamers who did a lot of something positively. That’s what stinks about this recreation.
2. Forty % of the Bears offense got here on two Justin Fields runs.
Fields had a 60-yard scramble and one other play through which he lined up as a tailback and tight finish Cole Kmet took the snap and pitched the ball to Fields, who dashed 31 yards across the left aspect. Those are thrilling performs, and it was cool to see how offensive coordinator Luke Getsy constructed off Kmet’s quarterback sneak in Week 9 in opposition to the Miami Dolphins and added a brand new wrinkle.
But it’s a big-picture downside when week after week, the passing recreation can’t generate constant highlights. Yes, Fields hit Velus Jones Jr. on a schemed-up deep shot every week in the past in opposition to the Bills. The Bears had three tight ends on the sphere displaying a heavy play-action look, and Fields lower free a bomb to the speedster. There are quite a few different examples like that from the season.
When Fields has to easily drop again and let the ball go, it’s a wrestle all the best way round. That means Fields, the safety, the skill-position gamers — everybody. Criticism of Fields is off limits for some as a result of he has generated breathtaking spotlight performs whereas offering legit motive for hope.
It was a foul day throwing the ball. Fields accomplished 7 of 21 passes for 75 yards with one landing and one interception on the ultimate snap of the primary half, which was principally an aborted play. The Bears wished to run a razzle-dazzle play through which they’d throw the ball again throughout the sphere. That was blown up when the Lions have been utterly off in protection.
The Bears wound up with a season-low 30 web passing yards as Fields was sacked seven instances for 45 yards. The Bears have had fewer than 100 web passing yards 4 instances in 16 video games. They have exceeded 200 as soon as. Fields acknowledged taking too many unhealthy sacks.
“Have to play better than I did today, not putting my team in second-and-15s, taking sacks on plays that I shouldn’t be getting sacked on,” he stated. “Just trying to make a play out of nothing, so just learning from that and throwing the ball away and, yeah, keep going.”
The go safety wasn’t ok. Left sort out Braxton Jones had a troublesome time. It seemed just like the Lions performed some video games up entrance, maybe borrowing from the sport plan the Eagles used a few weeks in the past. Too many instances, Fields needed to get on the transfer immediately. On the play through which defensive finish James Houston stripped Fields late within the second quarter, he had large receiver Dante Pettis on a nook route. Fields pumped and pulled the ball down and left the pocket.
Houston had run by Jones’ midsection and sacked each the left sort out and Fields on the play, one in all three sacks for the veteran. The Lions have been rotating to a two-deep zone within the secondary, and a nook route is a traditional Cover-2 beater. There was a deep gap shot and Fields wanted to take it. It’s what he pumped to earlier than pulling the ball down. At this level within the season, let it rip.
Pettis dropped a ball later within the recreation earlier than leaving to be evaluated for a concussion. Trust takes time to construct between quarterbacks and receivers. Does Fields have a man he legitimately can belief proper now? Would he say so if the reply was no? Maybe he lacked belief, however Pettis was open and the Bears have been on their 48-yard line trailing 21-10.
General supervisor Ryan Poles was requested what he hoped to see from Fields within the closing weeks throughout the WBBM-AM 780 pregame present.
“I think just elevate his game in the passing game, the two-minute drills, end of half,” Poles stated. “Obviously to start games, he’s been outstanding. He’s shown ability to make a ton of plays with his legs. No one questions his playmaking ability, but really growing as a passer is going to be the next step. And we can accomplish that now and obviously into the future as we continue to grow.”
This was a missed alternative for all 11 gamers within the passing recreation in opposition to the Lions, who entered thirty second in complete protection, thirtieth in passing protection, thirty second in yards per go try, twenty sixth in sack fee, thirty second in first downs allowed and thirty first on third down. One of the worst defenses within the NFL throttled the Bears passing recreation, and whereas Fields ran for 132 yards, 91 got here on the 2 huge performs.
The offense achieved subsequent to nothing exterior of these two performs, so it’s correct to query the place issues are when Fields is averaging 149.5 passing yards per recreation. I don’t know when the solutions will come, however there must be indicators subsequent season if the Bears can enhance the personnel round him.
3. The Bears are locked right into a top-four draft decide.
If the order have been generated from the present standings, they’d personal the No. 2 decide. The path to No. 1 is obvious. The Houston Texans (2-13-1) will get the highest decide in the event that they lose to the Colts in Indianapolis or if the Bears (3-13) win at Soldier Field in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears would slide into the highest spot in the event that they lose to the Vikings and the Texans defeat the Colts.
The Texans can’t decide decrease than second. The Bears might transfer to 3rd or fourth. Also in play are the Arizona Cardinals (4-12), who shut the season on the street in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, and the Denver Broncos (4-12), who host the Los Angeles Chargers. If the Bears beat the Vikings, they’d lose a tiebreaker in opposition to the Cardinals and Broncos at 4-13.
Here’s the place it will get fascinating. At Westgate SuperE-book in Las Vegas, Bears-Vikings opened as a decide ‘em. Oddsmakers are telling you they don’t imagine the Vikings may have something to play for in that recreation, which could lead on coach Kevin O’Connell to relaxation key gamers for the postseason.
The Vikings have been hammered by the Green Bay Packers 41-17 on Sunday. Yes, they nonetheless have a path to the No. 2 seed within the NFC (which doesn’t supply a bye), however that may require defeating the Bears and counting on the lowly Cardinals to win at San Francisco. The Cardinals have used 4 beginning quarterbacks within the final 4 weeks.
Las Vegas isn’t within the enterprise of shedding cash, so the hunch is a few sensible individuals imagine the Vikings received’t be enjoying for something and shall be settled into the No. 3 seed, which might imply internet hosting the sixth-seeded New York Giants within the first spherical.
The Bears appear dedicated to giving it their greatest shot in Week 18. Matt Eberflus referenced the finale when speaking in regards to the choice to maintain Justin Fields on this recreation late.
“It is important,” Eberflus stated. “It’s necessary for us to have the ability to do this going ahead this final recreation. That’s why late into the sport we stored Justin in there as a result of we wish to get that dwell expertise. You can’t actually get that anyplace else, in order that’s why we determined as a workers and we determined working with Justin.
“He said, ‘I want to be in there.’ Credit to him, he was, ‘Coach, man, I’m still going out there. I want to be able to operate.’ With his toughness and grit, he wants to go out there and compete, and that’s what he did.”
I don’t imagine the potential for dropping within the draft order will change how the Bears do enterprise this week. I notice many wish to look forward to the draft, however this type of stretch the group is in takes an actual toll on these concerned.
“Right now, I speak for myself, I’ve got to play better,” veteran security DeAndre Houston-Carson stated. “If everybody sort of does that — appears at themselves and is sincere and provides an sincere analysis of how they performed — and sufficient individuals can say they’ve received to play higher, then that’s simply what occurred. We simply didn’t have it. We simply didn’t play nicely sufficient to offer ourselves an opportunity to win. I do know I didn’t.
“You can’t get used to having something like that happen. We don’t care about (injuries). We’ve got to stand up. I know I’ve got to stand up and be better. You play long enough in the league, you have some like that, unfortunately. You’ve just got to respond. How are we going to bounce back? We’ve got to let it hurt for a little bit. Let it hurt for today, a little bit (Monday) and then get back to the drawing board.”
In a quiet postgame locker room, the calm was punctuated right here and there with a locker being slammed or struck. Guys have been indignant and they need to be.
“In hard times you rely on what your foundation is — belief, trust, personal responsibility, integrity, doing your job for your teammates to be able to depend on you,” stated defensive finish Trevis Gipson, who had a sack for the primary time since Week 2. “It does get frustrating. These hard times are what brings our team closer. A lot of people on the outside are booing us. A lot of naysayers, man. But these hard times bring you closer to each other.”
Whoever is on the sphere in opposition to the Vikings will strive like hell to finish this season with a victory. As for the Vikings’ plan? We’ll have to attend and see.
4. The Chase Claypool commerce may have a major affect within the draft, however it hasn’t moved the needle in passing rankings for the Bears or Pittsburgh Steelers.
When the Bears traded their second-round decide to the Steelers for Claypool on Nov. 1, they have been thirty second within the league in passing and the Steelers have been twenty fourth. Entering Week 17, the Bears have been thirty second and the Steelers twenty fourth. The Bears have gone 0-8 for the reason that commerce whereas the Steelers received on a roll, successful six of eight video games after Sunday night time’s 16-13 win over the Ravens in Baltimore.
The worth of the decide they obtained for Claypool has soared. The Bears have been 3-5 on the time and if the draft order have been based mostly on the standings on Nov. 1, the Steelers would have obtained the forty third decide. The Bears have spiraled since and now that decide, based mostly on the standings after Sunday night time, can be No. 34. That can be the thirty third participant chosen because the Dolphins have been stripped of their first-round decide. That’s a fairly penny to pay for a participant who was the forty ninth choice in 2020.
Based on that, this commerce can solely be seen as a win in Pittsburgh. The Bears are banking on future manufacturing from Claypool night issues out as a result of, thus far, they don’t have a lot to point out from Claypool, who returned in opposition to the Lions after lacking the earlier two video games with a knee harm.
Claypool received solely 4 snaps within the first half and 19 within the recreation. He had extra enjoying time within the second half however no manufacturing to talk of. He was focused as soon as and didn’t catch a ball — however cameras caught him throwing his helmet on the sideline after which jawing with large receivers coach Tyke Tolbert.
Claypool was one of many first gamers dressed and exiting the locker room after the sport, so if he spoke to reporters, I didn’t see it occur. Maturity points adopted him in Pittsburgh. There was a late-season recreation in opposition to the Vikings in 2021 through which he had an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty early within the recreation after which value the Steelers a while whereas celebrating a late catch as they tried to rally from a 28-0 deficit. The Vikings held on to win 36-28.
Quarterback Justin Fields most likely spoke higher for Claypool than the receiver might have completed himself.
“He was frustrated,” Fields stated. “He’s a passionate participant. He’s passionate in regards to the recreation, however I believe he was simply displaying his feelings, which is sweet to have emotion in a recreation, however you simply need to know learn how to management it. You can’t let it come out like that as a result of on the finish of the day, that’s not serving to anyone. That’s not serving to the group. Everybody’s annoyed. We’re getting blown out, like simply name it what it’s. We received punched within the mouth. Everybody feels that manner.
“I talked to him like, ‘That’s not going to do something. That’s not serving to anyone. That’s simply spreading everyone aside. We have to be right here for one another, keep on with one another and battle as a result of not many groups on this league are going to battle the best way we did.’ I don’t know, I’m getting actually passionate, however it’s similar to, we have been getting blown out, and like, I don’t care what the scoreboard is. We’re going to go on the market, we’re going to play our hardest and so they know that I’m doing that.
“Going back on Chase, he’s passionate but just has to learn how to control those emotions and keeping it inside and just knowing what’s going to be best for the team.”
Two veteran personnel males I talked to on the time of the deal favored the transfer for the Bears, however one identified they paid a new-car value for a used car. It’s extra like a lease in the meanwhile as Claypool shall be within the closing 12 months of his contract in 2023. That’s an costly rental if Claypool is just with the Bears for 1½ seasons, and when is it a good suggestion for a group completely out of rivalry to spend that sort of draft capital for a participant who received’t be round lengthy?
“I’ve really liked the way our offense is starting to come together and move,” Ryan Poles stated on the time of the deal after the Bears scored 62 factors over two video games. “I assumed it was necessary so as to add one other affect participant to associate with the blokes we at the moment have.
“I like the way Justin is trending, and adding another big body who is physical, explosive, great leaping ability, can stretch the field — but also is violent with the ball in his hand and as a blocker — I think that enhances everyone around him.”
The Bears have been averaging 150.5 passing yards and 19.4 factors per recreation once they received Claypool and have averaged 148 passing yards and 20.8 factors in six video games with Claypool on the sphere. The gamers and coaches can discuss all offseason about how lengthy it takes for a large receiver to regulate to a brand new offense. That’s wonderful. It’s not an excuse subsequent season, and Claypool’s manufacturing — 12 receptions for 111 yards — is scant.
“I’ll be really excited for next season,” Claypool stated final week. “I hope individuals haven’t counted me out but. I’ve received loads to deliver to the desk.
“We traded away a top second-round pick, very valuable. I smile because I know it was a great trade for the organization. Right now, however that may look — I don’t want to get roasted for saying something too soon like I have before — but I feel very confident the fans, the organization, the team will be happy.”
I don’t understand how Poles might contemplate a brand new contract for Claypool within the offseason. I can’t think about Claypool would wish to negotiate off what he has completed this season. Maybe he places up huge numbers in 2023, however he actually should produce for the Bears to hope this deal evens out.
5. Lamar Jackson’s report is inside attain for Justin Fields.
Fields’ 132-yard dashing effort in opposition to the Lions offers him 1,143 dashing yards coming into Sunday’s finale in opposition to the Vikings. Jackson set the NFL report for dashing yards in a season by a quarterback in 2019, when he ran for 1,206 yards. That leaves Fields 64 yards from eclipsing the previous league MVP. Fields is averaging 76.2 dashing yards in his 15 begins, and whereas his pursuit of Jackson took a success every week in the past when the Bills restricted him to 11 yards, he’s proper again within the hunt now.
The Vikings entered Week 17 ranked twenty first within the league in dashing yardage allowed to quarterbacks. Fields ran for 47 yards within the groups’ Week 5 assembly, and that was simply earlier than the Bears actually received him going as a rusher. The Bills’ Josh Allen ran for 84 yards in opposition to the Vikings, and the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts hit them for 57. Helping Fields attain the report can be one thing neat in a season that hasn’t included plenty of enjoyable.
Fields additionally has an opportunity to be the primary Bear to hurry for 1,200 yards since Jordan Howard had 1,313 in 2016. Here’s the checklist of gamers to prime 1,200 in a season since Walter Payton: Neal Anderson, Thomas Jones (twice), Matt Forte (twice), Howard. That’s it.
6. The prime of the draft can yield an elite participant, so I assumed it might be instructive to see how the group with the No. 1 or No. 2 decide fared the subsequent season going again to 2000.
In situations when a group traded out of the decide, I tracked the report of the group that initially owned the decide.
Before diving into the numbers, it’s price noting a quarterback has been chosen No. 1 in six of the final eight drafts. Jacksonville Jaguars exterior linebacker Travon Walker (2022) and Cleveland Browns defensive finish Myles Garrett (2017) are the one non-QBs in that span.
Sixteen quarterbacks have been taken with the primary decide since 2000. Only Matthew Stafford (2009) and Eli Manning (2004) have received a Super Bowl. Neither did with the group that drafted them as Manning was chosen by the Chargers and traded to the Giants. Stafford received his with the Los Angeles Rams final season after the Lions traded him. Joe Burrow (2020, Cincinnati Bengals) and Cam Newton (2011, Carolina Panthers) additionally reached the Super Bowl.
A quarterback has been chosen No. 2 on 5 events since 2000, an undistinguished group of Zach Wilson (2021, New York Jets), Mitch Trubisky (2017, Bears), Carson Wentz (2016, Eagles), Marcus Mariota (2015, Tennessee Titans) and Robert Griffin III (2012, Washington). Odds are respectable none of them shall be a Week 1 starter in 2023.
So what’s the affect of a No. 1 or No. 2 decide (or the affect of expertise added from a commerce down)?
- The group with the No. 1 decide averaged 6.5 wins the next season since 2000. That contains the Jaguars, who chosen Walker No. 1 in April and are 8-8 with one week remaining.
- Of these 23 groups, 4 reached the playoffs, the final occasion the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs, who selected left sort out Eric Fisher. The Jaguars have a winner-take-all recreation for the AFC title with the Titans in Week 18, so they may make it 5 playoff groups in 23 seasons. Of course it was the Jaguars’ second straight 12 months with the highest decide. They went 3-14 final season after selecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
- The group with the No. 2 decide averaged 6.0 wins the next season since 2000. That contains the Lions, who chosen Aidan Hutchinson No. 2 in April and are 8-8. Of these 23 groups, 4 reached the playoffs the subsequent season. The most up-to-date instance is Washington in 2020, going 7-9 and successful the NFC East after drafting defensive finish Chase Young.
- Six groups that had the No. 1 decide had a successful report the next season, and 7 had 4 wins or fewer. Three groups that had the No. 2 decide had a successful report the next season and 6 had 4 wins or fewer.
Every decide and each group has distinctive circumstances, however this offers a basic concept of what sort of affect one decide (or picks collected in a commerce down) can have.
7. With a lot deal with the concept of tanking on the finish of the season for improved draft place, we would as nicely deliver up the final time allegations have been leveled.
The Eagles hosted Washington on the ultimate Sunday of the 2020 season, a recreation that was moved to NBC’s prime-time slot. The Eagles had already clinched a last-place end within the NFC East. Washington wanted to win the sport to win the division. An Eagles win meant the Giants would win the division and Washington would miss the postseason.
The Eagles have been trailing 17-14 within the fourth quarter when coach Doug Pederson pulled beginning quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had run for each Eagles touchdowns, and inserted third-stringer Nate Sudfeld with 12:35 remaining. Sudfeld was intercepted to finish his first possession and misplaced a fumble on the second play of his second possession. Washington wound up successful 20-14 to advance to the playoffs.
Incensed Giants coach Joe Judge reacted the subsequent day.
“To disrespect the game by going out there and not competing for 60 minutes and doing everything you can to help those players win, we will never do that as long as I’m the head coach of the New York Giants,” he stated.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported gamers and assistant coaches have been shocked on the transfer.
“Man, if I’m being honest, nobody liked the decision, nobody,” Eagles working again Miles Sanders informed WIP-FM 94.1 the day after the sport. “That’s all I can say really. I don’t know who was the main person behind that decision. All I know is that a lot of people on the team (were) confused.”
That’s the chance with a transfer like this. Players may have a tough time following anybody who isn’t prioritizing successful every week. Pederson, who was fired after that season, stated the plan all week had been to get Sudfeld some enjoying time.
The Associated Press reported that the league workplace couldn’t decide the Eagles have been deliberately making an attempt to lose. The upshot of the entire thing? The Eagles had the sixth decide within the 2021 draft. Had they received the sport, they’d have picked ninth. Sudfeld, now the backup to Jared Goff for the Lions, hasn’t thrown a go in a regular-season recreation since. He was sacked by the Bears’ Justin Jones late within the fourth quarter Sunday when he was in for mop-up responsibility.
7a. One instance of the Bears making choices they imagine are greatest for successful the sport — and never seeking to future improvement or long-range plans — is their choice at punt returner.
I requested particular groups coordinator Richard Hightower in the event that they thought of giving Velus Jones Jr. an opportunity to return punts at Ford Field with the sport indoors so wind wouldn’t be a think about fielding the ball.
Jones hasn’t returned punts for the reason that Week 6 loss to the Washington Commanders on Oct. 13. At this level within the season, why not put him again on the market?
“That’s a good question,” Hightower stated. “We still are rolling with Dante (Pettis) as of right now just because he’s really having good success. But we’re never counting Velus out. He still works at it every day. There’s always consideration for him every week to go back there, but as of now, Dante is the starter.”
Hightower stated Jones has proven enchancment monitoring and catching the ball in apply.
“He’s gotten better in every facet of his game, not even just that,” Hightower stated. “He’s change into a greater professional off the sphere. He’s being extra detailed and he’s studying. All these guys received to learn to be execs. I’ve seen the eagerness for him to get on the sphere.
“Catching the ball better. Getting to the ball better. Asking better questions in meetings. He’s on the up and up. I think the kick returns have given him confidence. He’s had a lot of success there.”
Apparently not sufficient to warrant an opportunity late within the season in a setting that may not contain wind. Pettis had the responsibility till he was despatched to concussion protocol. After that rookie working again Trestan Ebner returned punts.
8. Back in 2011, the Bears broke a protracted shedding streak within the closing recreation of the 12 months.
That victory introduced them to 8-8 however value them considerably within the draft order. The Bears had misplaced 5 consecutive video games coming into the Week 17 assembly with the Vikings on the Metrodome. The Vikings have been a multitude, coming into 3-12, however the Bears have been in such unhealthy form at 7-8 that Minnesota was a 2½-point favourite.
In his second begin with the Bears, Josh McCown threw a 22-yard landing go to Roy Williams, and Charles Tillman returned an interception 22 yards for a landing because the Bears rallied from a 10-0 deficit for a 17-13 victory.
“When you have gone through the type of season that we have, our goal this week was to start the new year off right,” coach Lovie Smith stated of the Jan. 1 win. “(We wanted to) get to 1-0 and end that five-game losing streak.”
The Bears have been 7-3 after 11 weeks that season when a thumb harm sidelined quarterback Jay Cutler. Backup Caleb Hanie flopped and the Bears fell out of postseason rivalry. They wound up one in all seven groups in a logjam at 8-8, getting the nineteenth decide within the first spherical. A loss to the Vikings would have meant selecting thirteenth.
The Bears drafted defensive finish Shea McClellin at No. 19. Selected between the thirteenth and 18th picks have been 4 defensive ends — Michael Brockers, Bruce Irvin, Quinton Coples and Melvin Ingram — large receiver Michael Floyd and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. The greatest go rusher of the primary spherical wound up being Chandler Jones, whom the New England Patriots selected at No. 21. Current Bears proper sort out Riley Reiff was the twenty third decide by the Detroit Lions.
9. Rookie punter Trenton Gill has quietly put collectively a strong season.
He’s in place to change into solely the third Bears punter to complete a season with a web common above 40 yards. Gill can set a franchise mark with an enormous recreation in opposition to the Vikings. He raised his web common to 40.5 yards with a season-high seven punts in opposition to the Lions. Pat O’Donnell (40.7 in 2019) has the mark to beat, and Adam Podlesh completed at 40.4 in 2011.
Ryan Poles traded the 2023 sixth-round decide he obtained from the Chargers within the Khalil Mack commerce again to Los Angeles for 2 seventh-round picks: 254th and 255th. The Bears selected security Elijah Hicks with the primary one and Gill with the subsequent, seven spots earlier than the San Francisco 49ers made quarterback Brock Purdy Mr. Irrelevant.
Gill and O’Donnell (2014) are the one punters the Bears have drafted since Todd Sauerbrun was, gulp, a second-round decide in 1995. The Bears have drafted just one kicker since taking Kevin Butler in 1985, and that was Paul Edinger (2000).
What made Gill a goal after O’Donnell signed with the Packers in free company?
“Just the way he played in college,” particular groups coordinator Richard Hightower stated. “He was a technician. We saw flashes of a guy that could be really good. He was really good directionally. He had really good hands catching and molding the ball. He was a good holder as well and then we also saw the leg talent. The leg talent was there, and as you know, in this wind you’ve got to have the leg talent or you can’t survive.”
The situations at Soldier Field, particularly within the second half of the season, make it practically unattainable for a Bears punter to guide the league in web common. If it isn’t too windy in opposition to the Vikings, maybe Gill can change into No. 1 in group historical past.
10. The Week 18 outcomes will decide two of the Bears’ three 2023 opponents which are based mostly on the standings.
The Bears are locked into fourth place within the NFC North and may have a street recreation in opposition to the Commanders at FedEx Field. The Commanders have been locked into final place within the NFC East with a loss to the Browns on Sunday.
The fourth-place finishers within the NFC West and AFC North stay up within the air. The Cardinals (4-12) and Rams (5-11) are within the combine with the Cardinals the doubtless opponent. That recreation shall be at Soldier Field.
The Bears will journey to face an AFC North opponent — the Steelers (8-8) or Browns (7-9), who meet in Week 18. If the Steelers win, the Bears head to Cleveland in 2023. If the Browns win, the Bears would head to Pittsburgh because the Browns would place third within the division by advantage of sweeping the 2 video games in opposition to the Steelers.
As for the remainder of the non-division opponents, the Bears will host the Atlanta Falcons, Panthers, Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders and may have street video games in opposition to the Chiefs, Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
10a. Two weeks after leaving with a neck harm after the fourth play, Bears proper guard Teven Jenkins left after the seventh play with a neck harm. I believe we’re speaking about stingers right here. Jenkins had a stinger on the third play of the Week 15 recreation in Seattle final season. This isn’t new for a man who has had a troublesome time remaining on the sphere.
10b. The rationale behind having Dieter Eiselen on the game-day roster is he can snap the ball and fill in if one thing occurs to heart Sam Mustipher. The rationale for not having a wholesome Alex Leatherwood on the game-day roster is the coaches don’t wish to see him play once more this season. Why else have him inactive and Larry Borom in uniform? That’s not a knock on Borom, however the Leatherwood experiment isn’t working. Not an enormous deal. Yes, the Bears are on the hook for some cash, however when you’ve been following for a minute, you realize cap house received’t be a problem.
10c. While on the subject of the offensive line, Cody Whitehair seemed like he was gutting it out at instances in getting back from a knee harm. He has had two knee accidents this season and possibly hasn’t been at his greatest, however you’ll be able to inform being on the sphere means loads to him.
10d. Jared Goff accomplished passes to 10 receivers — within the first half.
10e. Bears linebacker Joe Thomas made 12 tackles.
10f. Condolences to the household and associates of John Flaws, who died Dec. 26. Flaws, 58, labored for years on the WBBM-AM 780 radio crew, holding a parabolic microphone on the sideline. The LaGrange Highlands resident was a valued member of the printed group, which was surprised by his demise as Flaws had labored the Dec. 24 recreation in opposition to the Bills.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com