Sunday morning, I found myself getting nervous.
As the Chicago Bears game approached, I found myself doubting the optimism and enthusiasm I saw online from fellow Bears fans.
I’ve seen the Bears start backup quarterbacks so many times, I thought. And Tyson Bagent is far less experienced than Case Keenum. Surely, there was a chance he would play badly enough for the Jets to hang around and possibly win.
Then the game started.
I have long been a “hope for the best, expect the worst” fan. Beaten down by
years of high offseason expectations, only to be disappointed by the on-field result.
It’s time I adjust my expectations. This is the Ben Johnson era. He is one of the best at scheming and game planning. He almost always has his team ready to play.
The Bears have one of the best coaches in the league. And that means they’re going to be in way more games than they’re out of.
Get used to it.
Stock up
Kyle Monangai, RB – 4.9 yards per rush, 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The seventh-round pick has endeared himself to many Bears fans. He is a driving force of Chicago’s rushing attack.
Rome Odunze, WR – After a week of chatter about how disappointing he’s been, Rome came out with his best game of the young season. He caught six of seven targets for 94 yards. And they were at all levels — a long of 37 yards and even just short routes and quick screens. Hopefully, he builds on this.
Colston Loveland, TE – Finally, the guy fans have been longing to see all summer got involved in the passing game. His blocking highlights were still there, as he helped pave the way for Chicago’s 232 yards on the ground. But he also caught six of his nine targets for 57 yards.
Stock down
D’Andre Swift, RB – We’ll see how long Swift remains in Johnson’s doghouse following his second lost fumble of the season. Swift didn’t return to the game after he lost a fumble in the third quarter. However, he’s too important to stay on the bench. I imagine the message was sent, but now it’s up to Swift to bounce back.
Tyson Bagent, QB – He won; he was efficient (completed 73.5 percent of his passes), but it’s never good when your team wins by 11 and some amount of fans and pundits think you should be benched. Bagent doesn’t have the arm strength for some of the over-the-middle throws. But the coaches believe in him, and he’s going to get another start this weekend. I just don’t know if I feel as comfortable with that as I was maybe two months ago.
Tory Taylor, P – He got no action this week. Poor guy. He must’ve been super bored.
Who was up and down in your opinion? Let us know in the comments.
