The NFL season is an evolving state of affairs, and week 17 finds your Chicago Bears firmly atop the NFC North and as the #2 seed in the NFC with an 11-4 record after yet another come-from-behind victory,
their 6th this season, against the Green Bay Packers. This week, Chicago travels to the Bay Area for a Sunday Night matchup against the 11-4 San Francisco 49ers to keep their hopes of a chance at the NFC’s 1 seed alive.
In this weekly series, I’ll be featuring one player from each team on each side of the ball who I believe to be integral to their respective team’s success. It’s not always about the quarterback or superstar defensive players like Myles Garrett or Nick Bosa. Importance is all relative, and while the “star” players are obviously important each week, this series will also highlight some of the other guys.
Because let’s face it, often, the unsung players are just as critical to the team’s success.
Here are the players that I will be keyed in on in this one.
Let’s get started with the Chicago Bears!
Offense: DJ Moore, WR
With 9 catches for 166 yards and 3 TDs in his last two games, there may not be a single more important offensive player on the Bears, when it comes to the playoff push, than DJ Moore. Earning himself a game ball in each of the last two games, DJ has essentially carried the passing game on his back without fellow WRs Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. With both WRs still not practicing fully, I expect the passing game to once again flow through DJ.
If Caleb can find his resurgent WR early and often, I expect the Bears to move the ball and score plenty of points in what figures to be an offensive shootout. If DJ is rendered ineffective or simply cannot continue the momentum of the last couple weeks, then Chicago will be forced to rely on the run game and the backup WRs and TEs in the passing game. While that has proven to be a formidable arsenal thus far, it may not be potent enough to keep pace with the high-powered 49ers attack.
Defense: Tremaine Edmunds, LB
In his first game action in over a month due to injury, Edmunds played over 90% of defensive snaps and recorded his first fumble recovery on the season, adding to his 4 takeaways on the season. Though understandably did not appear to be back to full strength and/or full speed, it was nice to have Maine back in the lineup.
Hopefully, he will have all the rust knocked off before this week’s contest against the 49ers, as he will be tasked with covering Christian McCaffrey in the passing game and tracking him down in the run game. With 92 catches and 849 yards and a career high 7 receiving TDs already on the season, in addition to his 1,000-plus yards and 9 TDs on the ground, CMC is having yet another All-Pro season for the 49ers. If George Kittle is healthy, Edmunds will likely find himself 1 on 1 with the All-Pro TE as well. How Edmunds fairs this week will likely determine if Chicago wins this pivotal NFC matchup.
San Francisco 49ers
Offense: Jauan Jennings, WR
Make no mistake, this 49ers offense succeeds on the consistent performance of All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey and TE George Kittle. Those are the obvious selections here, but with Kittle hobbled and CMC a no-brainer, Jennings is a sneaky weapon to lookout for. With 8 TDs on the year, including in the last 4 consecutive weeks, the 6’3” Jennings is an elite red-zone weapon to watch out for.
Though Chicago’s CBs Jaylon Johnson (6’0”), Nahshon Wright (6’4”) and Tyrique Stevenson (6’0”) all matchup well physically with the taller WR, 49ers QB Brock Purdy has been playing excellent ball and has been able to consistently find his open WRs including the 5th year former Tennessee Volunteer with excellent hands and underrated route running. With Kittle hobbled due to an ankle injury, if Chicago can contain CMC and end Jennings’ TD streak, expect a Chicago win. Otherwise, the 9ers likely continues its impressive run.
Defense: Tatum Bethune, LB
After losing All-Pros Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to season-ending injuries earlier in the year, many thought the 49ers season would come to a brutal end. However, thanks to some phenomenal coaching by Kyle Shanahan and the excellent play of reserves like Tatum Bethune, the 49ers remain in contention not only for the NFC West lead, but also for the 1 seed in the NFC at large.
In the absence of All-World LB Fred Warner, Bethune averaged 12 tackles a game and has routinely played a large role limiting opposing offenses and keeping the 49ers in games, even when the offense underperformed. If Caleb Williams and Co. can move the chains and succeed on 3rd downs , thus limiting the impact of Bethune, expect Chicago to keep pace with Brock Purdy and Co. Otherwise, Chicago could be on the wrong side of a shootout.
Who will you be focused on Sunday night, other than the obvious CMC, Purdy, and Caleb?
Recap from Week 16:
Bears O – Kyle Monangai, RB: 9 carries for 50 yards, 3 catches for 43 yards.
Bears D – TJ Edwards, LB: 10 tackles, 5 solo, 0.5 sacks and 1 QBH.
Pack O – Jayden Reed, WR: 3 catches for 45 yards and 1 carry for 6 yards.
Pack D – Edgerrin Cooper, LB: 3 tackles with 2 solo.
Remember, there’s a near-zero chance of a Bears win when all four players perform in a way that favors the opponent. Here, we keep track of weeks past to see how things unfolded:
Week 1: Loveland, Jarrett, Mason, Metellus – Vikes owned 75% this week. Perhaps 100%. L
Week 2: Jackson, Edmunds, Gibbs, Branch – Again, we were owned in 75% this week, maybe 100%. L
Week 3: Moore, Dexter Sr., Pickens, Sanborn – Finally, we dominated in all phases. At least 75% in our favor. W
Week 4: Swift, Brisker, Jeanty, Chinn – I’d say we went 2-2 here and barely squeaked away with the win. W
Week 6: Benedet, Spidey, Deebo, Payne – Split at a minimum, but I say 75% in our favor. W
Week 7: Burden, Byard, Shaheed, Werner – Easily secured 3/4 of these for the win that was not as close as the score would indicate. W
Week 8: Loveland, Billings, Henry, Roquan – 0/4 – L
Week 9: Monangai, Booker, Chase, Knight – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider Chase’s numbers. – W
Week 10: Benedet, Edmunds, Tracy Jr., Lawrence – 3/4 , arguably all 4 if you consider 0 sacks allowed. – W
Week 11: Loveland, Sweat, Jones, Turner – 2/4 maybe. Went down to the wire. – W
Week 12: DJ, Brisk, Gainwell, Ramsey – 2/4, maybe 3/4 if you count Brisker’s game winning pass deflection. – W
Week 13: Dalman, Gervon, Saquon, Phillips – 3/4 though Phillips was close to doing more damage. – W
Week 14: Swift, Jaylon, Tom, Quay – 2/4 if not 1/4. Swift should have been featured more. – L
Week 15: Trapilo, Jarrett, Fannin Jr., Schwesinger – 3/4, nearly 4/4 as neither Brown made a big play.
Week 16: Monangai, TJ, Reed, Cooper – 3/4 if not 4/4. W
