With two video games left of their season, the Chicago Bears try to complete robust. Last weekend’s 27-16 defeat of the Arizona Cardinals was the Bears’ fourth win previously six video games. And their two losses in that span got here in video games through which they held a double-digit lead within the fourth quarter.
Tthe Bears are taking part in a a lot better model of soccer than they did in 2022 — to not point out the primary 4 weeks of this season. But there’s nonetheless lots to sift via and interpret because the powers that be at Halas Hall work to place the group on a championship course.
The Atlanta Falcons will go to Sunday for the house finale at Soldier Field. A Week 18 journey to Lambeau Field awaits behind that. In the house stretch of the common season, Tribune writers Dan Wiederer and Colleen Kane look into 4 notable matters via a “true or false” lens.
True or false? The Bears’ home-winning streak has flown underneath the radar.
Wiederer: True. I’ve to confess that when coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged Sunday’s defeat of the Cardinals because the Bears’ fourth consecutive victory at Soldier Field, I needed to mentally conduct a fast fact-check. Week 16: Cardinals? Check. Week 14: Lions? Check. Week 10: Panthers? Check. Week 7: Raiders? Check. Yep. It all checked out.
The Bears haven’t misplaced at residence since a 19-13 setback in opposition to the Vikings on Oct. 15, the sport through which Justin Fields dislocated his proper thumb. In the two-and-a-half months since? Win, win, win, win. That’s extra proof of notable progress from a group that’s bettering and trending in the precise course in quite a lot of methods. This weekend’s residence finale will current a golden alternative to proceed that successful streak. So for these hoping to pop the New Year’s Eve champagne somewhat early on Sunday, the Bears might present a cause for celebration within the midafternoon.
Kane: Glad I wasn’t the one one sifting via the calendar in my thoughts to fact-check Eberflus’ assertion within the second. I believe the house streak partially went underneath the radar as a result of this season has been a lot in regards to the outcomes of Fields, and two of the wins got here throughout Fields’ damage with Tyson Bagent on the helm.
For some cause, I used to be extra acutely aware of the Bears having gained three of 4 prime-time video games this season — in opposition to the Washington Commanders, the Panthers and the Vikings. The one evening loss was to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Both of these data have somewhat one thing to do with the energy of opponents the Bears confronted in these video games. But you’re proper, the Bears have proven progress, and that shouldn’t be discounted.
The Falcons, although, aren’t an computerized champagne pop. Their protection ranks within the high 10 in a number of classes, together with yards (308.4) and factors (19.2) allowed per sport. So it needs to be an indication of much more progress if the Bears can pull off their fifth-straight residence win.
True or false? Terell Smith has been among the many most stunning Bears gamers this season.
Kane: True. The fifth-round select of Minnesota, who missed 5 video games midseason with mononucleosis, made some huge performs Sunday, although that’s in all probability not a shock to the Bears coaches who’ve spoken extremely of him since coaching camp. The Bears assume sufficient of Smith that they’re rotating him with fellow rookie and second-round decide Tyrique Stevenson. He performed 49% of the snaps in Sunday’s sport, and he was in the course of back-to-back stops because the Cardinals tried to place collectively a game-tying drive.
On third-and-6 late within the fourth quarter, Smith broke up Kyler Murray’s move to Michael Wilson. On fourth-and-6, Murray went towards Smith’s aspect once more, however Greg Dortch fell with Smith overlaying him, and the move was incomplete. Coach Matt Eberflus praised Smith’s progress after the sport.
The simultaneous improvement of Stevenson and Smith, plus the steps ahead from cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, have been one of many extra optimistic developments for the Bears this 12 months. There might have been larger surprises — the acquisition of Montez Sweat, Tyson Bagent turning into the backup quarterback — however the best way Smith and Stevenson are taking part in collectively has additionally been a very good one.
Wiederer: One of Eberflus’ core beliefs as a coach is to play younger gamers with nice potential as early as attainable, accelerating their progress and permitting them to emerge as difference-makers. That occurred in 2022 with defensive backs like Gordon and Jaquan Brisker and is constant this season with Smith and Stevenson. It’s a calculated strategy to push younger gamers via the inevitable rising pains whereas offering a wealth of expertise. So Smith’s skill to make the most of his alternatives as a rookie is notable.
As far as nice surprises on this group, I’ll take this down a special path. Gordon, for instance, continues to be a tenacious playmaker whose presence is felt in each sport. The similar will be stated for T.J. Edwards, who I knew was a strong linebacker however has surpassed my expectations with how instinctive and persistently assignment-sound he has been. I’ll additionally give a nod to Andrew Billings — ”Big Bill” as he’s identified inside Halas Hall — who has been unbelievable on the inside of the Bears’ run protection and never solely produced at a degree to justify the one-year contract he signed final spring however to earn a two-year extension from Ryan Poles halfway via the season. Good stuff.
True or false: Bears normal supervisor Ryan Poles will quickly face a large determination on whether or not to both preserve Justin Fields as quarterback and construct round him or reset by drafting a brand new QB.
Wiederer: False. The sentiment that drafting a quarterback in April may also require a full reset is misguided. In truth, Poles has the chance to decide on a brand new quarterback in that case desired and proceed constructing an already steady roster up round a rookie. As it stands now, the Bears might use the No. 1 general decide to decide on Caleb Williams — and even Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy — and nonetheless stroll out of the primary evening of the draft with one other top-10 prospect who could be a Week 1 starter in 2024. (While topic to vary, the Bears’ present first-round draft picks reside at No. 1 and No. 8.) The Bears would then have 4 extra draft selections to work with. They may also stroll into March with sufficient wage cap flexibility to make a number of notable splashes in free company.
Barring important missteps, an bettering group is positioned to be even higher in 2024, no matter who the quarterback is. And any competition that the Bears would inevitably take a big step again subsequent season with a rookie quarterback is anxiety-based guesswork at greatest.
A quickly bettering protection will probably be positioned for fulfillment in 2024. Receiver DJ Moore, tight finish Cole Kmet and offensive sort out Darnell Wright aren’t going wherever. The present Bears, even with a disastrous 0-4 begin and three crushing blown-lead losses, have stored themselves close to the playoff race to the tip of December. Whether it’s Fields taking snaps or a first-round rookie, the Bears gained’t need to decrease the bar subsequent season on their journey to turning into an annual playoff contender.
Kane: You are proper that whichever quarterback is with the Bears in 2024 needs to be moving into a greater state of affairs general given the work Poles already has completed on the roster and the sources he has at his disposal to proceed constructing. So no, the Bears wouldn’t be completely resetting in the event that they select to draft a quarterback.
I simply don’t know that I’d brush off the concept that bringing in a rookie quarterback might set the group again a 12 months or extra. Of course it might. And perhaps that’s an anxiety-based assertion, given what we’ve got witnessed with the final two quarterbacks the Bears have drafted. But it’s additionally an acknowledgment that groups miss on a regular basis with their quarterback selections and an acknowledgment that quarterback improvement can take important time.
I’m not saying that drafting a quarterback wouldn’t be price it. And you could be proper that the Bears needs to be a greater group in 2024 — however the quarterback will play an enormous half in that.
True or false: The Bears have to be involved about Teven Jenkins’ sturdiness points.
Kane: True. Jenkins missed the sport in opposition to the Cardinals whereas in concussion protocol, the fifth sport he has missed this season. Jenkins may very well be again at left guard this week after training in full Wednesday whereas nonetheless within the protocol. But having issues about his sturdiness is nothing new after a slew of accidents over his first three seasons. He even has talked a number of instances about his efforts to enhance his well being.
Eberflus has praised Jenkins’ progress in his maturity and the way he works this 12 months. That has paid off in an excellent 12 months for Jenkins on the Bears offensive line — when he has been on the sphere. But the Bears undoubtedly would love him to chop down on the video games missed with damage. As Eberflus stated, sturdiness equals dependability.
Wiederer: When Jenkins has been wholesome, he has been a drive up entrance. So the largest query he faces on the finish of his third season continues to be about availability. “That’s always a factor when you look at players,” Eberflus stated Wednesday. “You want to make sure the durability is there because that equals dependability.”
After getting back from injured reserve in Week 5 and dealing with an ease-in workload in opposition to the Commanders, Jenkins made 9 consecutive begins and performed each offensive snap in seven of these video games. That was a giant step in the precise course. Jenkins additionally left the Bears’ Week 12 Monday evening sport in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings with an damage however returned to complete that contest. Then, on Dec. 17, he suffered a concussion in opposition to the Cleveland Browns and has been out since.
If Jenkins is cleared to play this week, his skill to complete the season robust can be a plus because the Bears proceed his analysis. The teaching employees has been thrilled along with his continued improvement and maturity and would love to scale back the troubles about his availability. Head accidents, in fact, fall in a far totally different class than comfortable tissue issues. So Jenkins’ newest setback should be stored in the precise body of reference.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com