For the first time since their miraculous, playoff-bound 2018 season, the Chicago Bears find themselves sitting at the top of the NFC North.
With the Bears earning themselves a victory over the Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers getting demolished by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday, the Monsters Of The Midway now have the division crown for the time being. Despite their success, by no means has this season been pretty or smooth so far. There is still an array of improvements the team must make, as we know they can perform better. Yet here we are, 5-1 and first place in the NFC North, a feat that I would not have envisioned at any point of the season. Do not get carried away just yet, though; there is still plenty of season left, a rigid schedule (more on that later) and overall competition. But do not take a start like this for granted and enjoy what we have seen thus far.
In this article, I will review and recap last week's win over the Carolina Panthers and preview this week's game against the Los Angeles Rams.
If you have not t already, please feel free to check out my introduction article, I had a blast putting it together. You will get to know more about me, my background, and my plans for this website here:
My Early Week Prediction For Game: Bears Win 23-20
Actual Score: Bears Win 23-16
Good To See You Again, Elite Defense, You Were Missed
Before last Sunday, the Bears defense has been a mixed group to judge. Their pass defense has been relatively solid, but their run defense has been underwhelming.
They were facing a task against a Carolina Panthers offense that helped the team win three-straight games on their home field, headlined by Running Back Mike Davis seeking revenge against his former team. Thankfully, our defense was ready for that task as they limited the Panthers to only one touchdown and 16 total points allowed. They would have likely not allowed their only touchdown if it was not for a questionable pass interference call on Cornerback Jaylon Johnson within the Panthers 5-yard line. Panthers Running Back Mike Davis would then score a goal-line touchdown with ease thanks to the Bears penalty.
Nonetheless, the defense created trouble for the opposition most of the game, mainly thanks to the turnovers caused by Safeties Tashaun Gipson, Eddie Jackson, and Deandre Houston-Carson. In particular, Houston-Carson pulled out the clutch card once again and came up with his second consecutive game-saving interception. The defense also compiled four sacks against Bridgewater, including Defensive Ends Mario Edwards Jr. and Bilal Nichols first of the year. Hardly any big plays were allowed by the unit. They were able to have their best rn defense effort against a red-hot Running Back, their #1 red-zone defense played up to that standard again, and they showed a glimpse of the elite defense that we are used to from the team in recent years.
Deandre Hoston-Carson Celebrating His Game-Saving Interception With His Teammates
(Credit: Chicago Sun-Times)
The defense was undoubtedly the story of the game, and it is not even close. Let us hope we see more efforts like this from the unit, especially against above-average offenses such as the Panthers.
Phenomenal Defense, Awful Offense: We Are Beyond Used To This
First off, congrats to Cole Kmet for scoring his first career touchdown! Three minutes into the first quarter, fresh off Gipson's interception, QB Nick Foles found his rookie Tight End out of Notre Dame (Go Irish) into tight coverage for a nine-yard score. Other than that, the offense left much to be desired.
Nick Foles ran in for a QB sneak touchdown at the goal-line and found Kmet for his only passing touchdown of the game. Other than that, he would struggle against one of the surprisingly better pass defenses in the league. Allen Robinson was their leading receiver, per usual, but was limited to five catches for 53 yards. David Montgomery, however, was the biggest disappointment in many eyes. Facing against one of the league's most atrocious run defense's, Montgomery was in a perfect position to finally deliver a breakout performance and put up big numbers. The volume is (and will always be) there, but we have yet to see a genuinely fulfilling performance by Montgomery this year. I will still defend him and believe in his potential, especially considering the poor state of our Offensive Line. But I speak for all Bears fans by saying we have expected better from our second-year back to this point. He hardly made any noise against an array of light defenses and will now have to face a stretch of more challenging opponents.
State Of The Opponent: Los Angeles Rams
Heading into the year, I made one of my many gut-feeling predictions that Rams fans would not have been pleased with. Despite all their talent, I thought the Rams would crumble in front of our very eyes and become one of the worst teams in the league this year. Their General Manager, Les Snead, seems to have risked the franchise's entire future to win-now, acquiring players such as Jalen Ramsey for a monstrous haul and signing players to lucrative contract extensions. I felt that all of these crazy moves by the front office would come back and bite them harshly.
Fortunately for them, they never have experienced such a scenario (yet). The Rams are currently sitting at 4-2 and in the middle of a fiery NFC West division battle. They live up to their offensive talent's reputation by appearing in the top ten offensive yards per game category. QB Jared Goff has improved from his disastrous 2019 season, Running Back Darrell Henderson (my 2019 draft crush) leads one of the better rushing attacks in the league, and Defensive Tackle Aaron Donald is his typical self causing havoc against offensive lines. Despite coming off of a bland, yet one-score loss v.s. the San Fransisco 49ers, the Rams still hang high and two games above .500. They have surpassed my expectations and are off to a promising start to the year.
Jared Goff Looking To Take A Pass Downfield (Credit: Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Goff has been one of the most polarizing figures in the league recently. He has his handful of doubters and believers; you never know what to expect with him on the field. Regardless, with his draft selection (#1 overall pick in 2016) and lucrative contract, the microscope will always be on Goff, and the pressure will be right there to gloom over him.
State Of The Bears
Heading into the game against the Panthers, I claimed that the game was a must-win for the Bears. Thankfully, they won, but I made the claim because after that game, we would have to face an upcoming slate of playoff-caliber opponents: @ the Rams, v.s. the Saints, @ the Titans. We, as fans, have heard again and again that the Bears are not legit and are the "worst 5-1 team the NFL has seen." Until they start to beat more legit teams, fans will not respect the team as a real contender. As funny as hearing some of the criticism is, I will not argue/disagree with those fans.
Beating the Brady-led Buccaneers was phenomenal, and slowing down the Panthers offense was no easy task, but we need to see more. If the Bears want to prove to the league that they can become one of the best, they have to beat the best. They travel to L.A., which will be a challenging task. Host the Saints the following week, despite not being as dominant as we are used to, while the Titans the week after will be the most challenging task. Their true test begins this Monday against the Rams, and you do not need to be a rocket scientist to figure out how the Bears need to beat them.
Please Do Not Go Away Just Yet, D
Let us face it; we will not have the offense lead the way towards a victory ever. Not against the Rams or nearly any opponent we face. The Rams are entering this week allowing the fourth-fewest yards per game (the Bears defense enters the week allowing the seventh-fewest). Nick Foles is doing enough on the field to get by, but as we know, we can never rely on that notion. He and his unit will face a tough secondary led by Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and a pass rush led by the best defensive player in the league and NFL sack leader in Aaron Donald. Thinking about Donald in general worries me, but thinking about him against the porous Bears Offensive Line gives me nightmares.
Aaron Donald And Khalil Mack Together In A Meeting Against Each Other in 2018
(Credit: The Game Haus)
With that being said, our defense needs to square up and do the same towards the more challenging Rams offense. Jared Goff has the capabilities of consistently being one of the better QB's in the league, but has been anything but consistent. Given how solid the Bears pass defense has been this year, I am confident in them being able to shut down Goff. The Rams weapons, notably the lethal Wide Receiver duo in Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, are what you need to worry about. But if Goff cannot get going and excel, then his teammates will reap similar consequences.
My Preseason Prediction For This Game: Bears win
My Pick Now: Bears still win
Final Score: Bears 21 - Rams 16
Because the Rams did not plummet like I thought they would, I have been debating back and forth on what to feel for this game. The Rams are playing well, but they are not the most intimidating opponent. Meanwhile, the Bears are 5-1, but we still do not know who they genuinely are. After difficult thinking, I will barely stick to my gut and pick the Bears to win their third-straight game.
I expect this to be a low-scoring affair, as nothing makes me believe that either team can put up massive numbers. Both defenses are in good positions and pose threats to each other's offense.
Am I mainly picking the Bears because I do not think they will beat the Saints or Titans, but do not see them going 0-3 the next few games? I will not lie, it is mostly because of that mindset I have.
Foles may have a formidable opponent ahead of him and is not the most lethal QB, but he is poised and is typically calm under pressure. The simple rule to get past the Rams defense is to try to limit the damage of Aaron Donald as much as possible. Foles must throw quick and try to establish a run game. Allen Robinson will be shadowed by his former teammate Jalen Ramsey, so the Bears' top weapon could be limited. It is vital for fellow wideouts Anthony Miller or Darnell Mooney to step up and play big in this game. While promising, Mooney has yet to stuff the stat sheet, and Miller is a frustrating case given his mix of talent and inconsistency. My confidence in such a scenario playing out is low, but if it does come true, the offense could flow smoothly and pose a more significant challenge v.s. the Rams.
Even if the Bears lose, there is no need to worry. But knowing Bears fans, I would not be shocked if they began to worry, as the doubters will rise and make their voices heard. I will not expect much, but I hope the Bears (yet again) can do enough to build their credibility and defeat a capable Rams squad on what should be a close game on ESPN tomorrow night.
If you read through this whole article, pat yourself on the back because you are a gem. While you are at it, please feel free to let me know what you think and tap the heart icon at the bottom, if you wish.
Thank you and Bear Down!