The Chicago Bears have been a team trying to find its way this season as they are currently third in the NFC North with a 3-5 record. They have played decently well in a tough division as they are 1-1 so far against the NFC North and have one more game before their bye week. Many of the best US sports betting apps, such as BetMGM, have them listed at +6.5 for next Monday’s match with the Steelers.
The Chicago Bears have seemed to answer their question behind who will take the franchise to the next level under center with rookie quarterback Justin Fields. He has struggled as he has a 23.1 QBR (rated 0 to 100 where 50 is considered average) and has 991 passing yards with three touchdowns and ten turnovers (three fumbles, seven interceptions).
Fields can improve, and the offense to do so with their skill position players. Head coach Matt Nagy might not have been the best coach to land a talent as Nagy has been awful calling plays, but there is room for improvement, and with more games under Fields’ belt, the better the Bears will become.
David Montgomery has been out for three weeks with a knee injury that placed him on Injured Reserve. He has been a solid lead back for the Bears in his young career but, on the season, has 69 rushes for 309 yards (4.5 yards per rush) with three touchdowns. If he can get back to total health and be a good running back for the remainder of the regular season, it will be a good sign for the Bears’ offense.
The Chicago Bears drafted a running back in the sixth round in the NFL Draft, and Khalil Herbert has been doing very well. He has 81 rushing attempts for 351 yards (4.3 yards per carry) with a rushing touchdown while being a little bit more talented in the passing game with nine catches for 44 yards (4.9 yards per reception). He has been one of the better running backs in the league to emerge halfway through the regular season, and that means he can be a solid back that can share snaps with Montgomery and solidify the backfield.
The Chicago Bears have one of the best wide receiver talents with Allen Robinson II but have been limited in his action. Robinson has not been involved in the offense as he has 26 receptions for 271 yards (10.4 per catch) with a single touchdown this season. Justin Fields and Allen Robinson have failed to connect on establishing a connection on the field. Robinson has eight total targets in the previous two games, so he needs to establish a connection and be more involved inside the offense.
Darnell Mooney has been establishing himself as the solid wide receiving option as he has recorded 33 catches for 409 yards (12.4 yards per reception) and a touchdown. He has been getting passing attempts thrown his way as he is averaging 7.3 targets in the previous three games. Mooney has been able to get some separation in the passing game and is leading the team in passing receptions, passing targets, receiving yards, 20+ yard receptions, and tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions. He has figured out how to get open against the second-best cornerbacks. If he can continue to get open and get the ball, it will do wonders for the Chicago Bears.
Linebacker Khalil Mack has been one of the most impressive defensive players in the entire National Football League. Even with teams figuring out how to defend against him and limit his impact on the games, Mack has 15 solo tackles and six total sacks this season (tied for 10th in the NFL). He had a big game against the Las Vegas Raiders a few weeks ago, but the other weeks have been relatively quiet for him. If he can figure out how to improve and consistently impact, he will be in the elite defenders’ conversation again.
Overall
The Chicago Bears have been struggling, especially offensively, this season but have a decent defense. The Bears still have a tough schedule as they have ten weeks left in the regular season. Chicago still has home games against the Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, and Minnesota Vikings while also having road games against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Vikings. If the Bears can continue to improve this season, they will be in a prime spot to compete potentially for one of the NFC Wild Card spots.
