The Chicago Bears took the great vibes from a 12-10 last-minute win over the Minnesota Vikings into their bye week, hoping the arrogance and momentum from that triumph can gasoline them down the stretch of the season.
With 4 video games in December and an early January finale towards the Green Bay Packers, the Bears nonetheless have important exams forward and are exhibiting extra causes to really feel inspired by their enhancements. But they’re nonetheless nicely outdoors the playoff image in a really peculiar NFC and must be sharp this weekend to have any likelihood at upsetting the division-leading Detroit Lions at Soldier Field.
The Lions rallied from 12 factors down late within the fourth quarter three weeks in the past to stun the Bears 31-26 and added one other thrilling victory to their resume Sunday, downing the New Orleans Saints 33-28. So what’s subsequent for the 4-8 Bears as they attempt to create course? What’s the sense of how coach Matt Eberflus is doing? And what else deserves point out because the workforce returns to work for Week 14?
Tribune writers Colleen Kane and Dan Wiederer take the heartbeat of the Bears in “true or false” format.
True or false? If the Bears protection continues on its upswing, it may assist Matt Eberflus’ case for maintaining his job.
Kane: True. There’s quite a bit for Bears President Kevin Warren and common supervisor Ryan Poles to think about as they map the way forward for the workforce at head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterback. So I don’t know if the protection persevering with to get higher will imply Eberfus retains his job. But it definitely wouldn’t damage.
The Bears are tied with the San Francisco 49ers for the highest run protection within the NFL, permitting simply 79 dashing yards per sport. For a lot of the season, the Bears have been quick on takeaways and sacks. But they’ve seven interceptions within the final two video games towards Jared Goff and Josh Dobbs, plus a particular groups fumble restoration.
And whereas they collapsed within the fourth quarter towards the Detroit Lions in Week 11, they held the Minnesota Vikings to simply 10 factors in Week 12.
There’s nonetheless a lot to enhance on. The Bears rank thirtieth in third-down proportion and final in pink zone proportion. But if the Bears can proceed to make strides, that can mirror nicely on Eberflus, who has been the defensive coordinator since Alan Williams resigned.
However, that clearly isn’t the whole analysis of Eberflus as a head coach. Poles should look at Eberflus’ management as a complete. And as you identified, the Bears have to think about how Eberflus and his workers will match with what they need to do subsequent at quarterback.
Wiederer: Right. Eberflus’ work with the protection is necessary. And that unit has made plain and significant enhancements this season, significantly over the previous two months. But there are big-picture issues that have to be made because the group plots its journey for 2024 and past. And if the Bears in the end determine they should pivot in a brand new course at quarterback, it’s laborious to think about bringing Eberflus again for what must be a “prove-it” season whereas additionally beginning anew with crucial place on the roster. Wouldn’t that simply be repeating the errors of 2021 when the Bears gave Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy the authority to draft a quarterback within the first spherical lower than 9 months earlier than firing each males?
As Eberflus famous Monday, he has to maintain himself centered on the current challenges. And meaning persevering with to information the protection within the course of success with an intriguing rematch towards the Detroit Lions on faucet this week. Everything the Bears do from now till the tip of the season ought to issue into the analysis of their teaching workers and the person main it. But an extended view can also be important.
True or false? A rematch with the first-place Lions is strictly what the Bears want popping out of their bye.
Wiederer: True. Sign me up. This must be enjoyable.
Two weeks in the past, the Bears went to Ford Field and managed the first-place Lions for 56 minutes. They had a 12-point lead late within the fourth quarter and, seemingly, a transparent path to their most significant victory of the Eberflus period. Then all of it got here aside. The Lions scored 17 unanswered factors within the remaining 4 minutes and stole a victory.
For the Bears, the outcome was dispiriting. And that was mirrored within the temper inside that postgame locker room. But Bears gamers additionally got here away from that efficiency believing they’re much more geared up to compete with one of the best groups within the league than they’ve been in a while. And that confidence means one thing. The greatest approach to take a look at it? Against those self same Lions, in fact. The Bears are nicely rested popping out of their bye week and have momentum from their Week 12 prime-time win in Minnesota, a triumph that required some final-drive magic from Justin Fields and the offense.
With 5 video games remaining, we’ll all proceed measuring the Bears’ enchancment and assessing their flaws. What higher approach to proceed that course of than Sunday’s house sport towards the NFC North front-runners?
Kane: I’ve so many questions on what the final two video games actually have meant — and due to this fact how this one will play out.
Can this Bears protection, which has pressured seven turnovers within the final two video games, sustain the tempo?
After exhibiting towards the Lions, till the tip, after which a profitable drive towards the Vikings, is Fields able to put collectively a full-game, head-turning efficiency Sunday in his third sport again from a dislocated proper thumb?
What was the worth of lastly ending towards the Vikings? Is that one thing the Bears will construct on?
Did the Lions look previous the Bears within the first assembly? And in that case, will we see a distinct Detroit workforce present up from the beginning Sunday?
I’m genuinely intrigued to see how this sport unfolds, and that’s not all the time a straightforward factor to say a few 4-8 workforce in December.
True or false? The Bears must be involved about the way in which the Green Bay Packers are enjoying.
Kane: True. When I say that, I’m not speaking in regards to the Bears gamers and even coaches in the meanwhile. They have sufficient points to resolve earlier than they face the Packers once more in Week 18.
But ought to the Bears workforce leaders and fan base be involved that the Packers have received their final three video games towards the Los Angeles Chargers, Lions and Kansas City Chiefs — the identical Chiefs that beat the Bears 41-10?
Should they be frightened that quarterback Jordan Love has thrown for 857 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions with a 116.9 passer ranking in these video games?
Should they be wearily eyeing the receiving stats of first- and second-year gamers Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Christian Watson?
Should their stomachs have dropped just a few occasions as they watched Love make fairly throws to Doubs and Watson on Sunday evening towards the Chiefs?
Yep. I’m not saying three video games are a predictor of the longer term. But is it sufficient for concern for the Bears, who thought they may lastly be capable of flip the tide within the rivalry? Sorry, however sure.
Wiederer: OK. Let me reply your questions so as. No. No. No and no. Respectively. And with all due respect.
I do know the place you’re coming from. And definitely, a sizzling streak just like the one the Packers are on proper now would ship Bears followers right into a state of delirium from which many would by no means get well. The Packers are clearly bettering. Their quarterback is enjoying very well. Many of their younger playmakers are producing. And Sunday’s assertion win over the Chiefs in prime time was definitely attention-grabbing and — by way of a Bears lens — a bit dispiriting as so many different peculiar groups across the league have put collectively convincing profitable streaks.
But the issues at Halas Hall have to be centrally centered on the grounds at Halas Hall — on the last-place workforce that has struggled to play nicely with any consistency; on the leaders charged with making a turnaround; on the 5 video games remaining this season that may enable the Bears to jot down an encouraging finish to a curler coaster season. Until the Bears can carry out and produce in a fashion that permits them to be persistently aggressive with high quality opponents after which repeatedly beat them, worrying about different groups within the division is pointless.
True or false? Linebacker T.J. Edwards deserves critical consideration for Pro Bowl honors.
Wiederer: True. Edwards continues to supply well timed contributions for a quickly bettering Bears protection. And he was terrific in final week’s win over the Vikings. Remember that clutch open-field sort out he had on a swing go to operating again Ty Chandler? Teach tape stuff proper there.
And what in regards to the interception he made on the following play, knifing into place to grab a go that cornerback Jaylon Johnson deflected?
Edwards additionally had the third-down tackle-for-loss on a go to Okay.J. Osborn that pressured the Vikings to punt within the remaining minutes, getting the ball again to Fields and the offense for his or her game-saving drive.
Coming out of that victory, Edwards was the NFL chief in tackles. He has two interceptions, two sacks, a pressured fumble and a fumble restoration.
In the NFC, Seattle’s Bobby Wagner, San Francisco’s Fred Warner and Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David are among the many regular suspects for postseason accolades. Edwards, although, is having a productive 12 months and deserves credit score.
Kane: You’re proper that he deserves credit score. A 12 months after main the Philadelphia Eagles with 159 tackles on their run to the Super Bowl, Edwards is on tempo for a career-high with 127 tackles and 5 video games to play. Edwards, the Lake Villa and Wisconsin product who joined the Bears on a three-year, $19.5 million contract this offseason, has made plenty of eye-catching, momentum-building performs, lots of which you talked about.
When requested in regards to the uptick in such performs Monday, Edwards credited elevated consolation throughout the Bears protection and the angle on the protection as a complete to not maintain something again.
“As linebackers you always want to be around the ball no matter where it is,” Edwards stated. “Whether it’s near the sideline or in the middle of the field or run-pass, you always want to get to the ball. And I think that’s something I pride myself on.”
The outcome has been Edwards rising as a participant the Bears may be enthusiastic about past this season.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com