As we move into mid-October, the NFL picture is becoming clearer.
The good and the bad teams are beginning to separate themselves. And the race to the middle is heating up.
The Chicago Bears have a chance
to dig themselves out of the hole of bad teams into the average and possibly the good teams.
It’s taken time, but most fans understood it would. The franchise needed to rid itself of the stench of losing for years.
But the Ben Johnson culture is getting established. The talk of stacking wins is showing. Now they need to show it.
The 1-5 New Orleans Saints are a competitive one-win team. They got blown out by the Seahawks but have kept their other games close. The Bills didn’t pull away until the middle of the fourth quarter in their game against the Saints.
“Trap game” is the theme of the week, but our crew lays out what it will take to win Sunday.
Sam: The Bears need to win a game against a team they’re supposed to beat at home. It’s as simple as that. But that’s easier said than done in the NFL. Keep the bye-week adjustments going with the run scheme changes by feeding D’Andre Swift. Get Caleb Williams into a rhythm early by getting some passes to Rome Odunze, DJ Moore and Colston Loveland early. The defense needs to get after Caleb’s former teammate, Spencer Rattler and force him into mistakes. Both offenses have avoided turnovers and both defenses are on the plus side of the turnover margin.
Gary: I think the main key is not looking past the Saints. Bottom up, we have a better roster, and I believe there isn’t a bone in Ben Johnson’s body that will allow him to have his guys look past an opponent. I’m also looking for a solid game from the pass rush. The Saints are 31st in pass block win rate, so putting pressure on Spencer Rattler early and often is going to make the Bears’ defensive lives that much easier.
Lester: When’s the last time the Bears played in a “trap” game, where they were the team trying to avoid the trap? Chicago has three wins in a row, while the (1-5) Saints have the fifth-worst point differential (-49) in the league. The Bears ran the ball well out of the bye, so I’d like to see that aspect of their offense continue. On defense, I think they need to heat up Rattler with a few blitzes and confuse the pass protection with multiple looks from the front seven.
Josh: Caleb needs to play clean. Avoid sacks, avoid turnovers, take the layups. The defense needs to get adequate pressure. Just adequate. And finally, the big guys up front and the running backs need to have a repeat performance.
Ryan: Once again, stop the run. Kamara can still go and Kendre Miller can be sneaky good. I’m hopeful that the returns of TJ Edwards and Kyler Gordon have unlocked the Bears’ potential as a run defense. On offense, don’t turn the ball over and keep growing that run game. The Saints’ only win this year against the Giants was a game where New Orleans won the turnover battle 5-0. In every other game this year, they’ve tied the opposing team in turnovers or lost that battle outright.
Gooch: Caleb needs to have the kind of game we know he is capable of. Efficient, accurate, and effective. The run game needs to continue to flourish – Ben Johnson’s offense is predicated on play action and a dangerous run game makes the whole operation better. Bears need to get to Spencer Rattler – rattle him with pressure and he will turn the ball over. And finally, the Bears need to be solid in the back-end. No walk-in touchdowns on rubs against our man coverage. Looking at you, Mr. Wright.
What are your keys to a Chicago Bears win?