The Chicago Bears didn’t exactly throw their weight around in Denver against the Broncos. It was a predictably physical struggle both against a solid football team and the elements which included thin mountain air and 90-degree heat. Yet in spite of all that, the Bears did what they needed to do. They escaped with a 16-14 victory courtesy of a last-second 53-yard field goal from Eddy Pineiro. It wasn’t pretty, but they aren’t going to apologize for it. The Bears are 1-1. That’s what matters.
What many fans may be surprised to find out is the streak they actually broke in the process. This was the first time that the Broncos had lost one of their first two home games of a season since all the way back in 2012. A span of seven seasons. The last team to do it? That would be the Houston Texans who upset them 31-25. That team went 12-4 that season and won a playoff game later that January.
This should offer some encouragement that the Bears are indeed a good football team. The fact they were able to pull off a win like this despite clearly not playing their best football is something positive to take away. They know they can win tough games on the road. All they have to do is iron out their problems and they should be a formidable opponent moving forward.
Chicago Bears are slowly discovering their identity
Through the first two games, the Bears have a handle on two-thirds of their roster. The defense? Outstanding. Still one of the absolute best in the NFL. They stop the run, attack the quarterback, and leave little room for error for any offense they play. The special teams? Much improved. Pat O’Donnell is off to the best start of his career as a punter. Eddy Pineiro hasn’t missed a field goal yet in four tries as their new kicker. For the first time in what feels like ages, they have stability in the third phase.
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The big question remains, of course, the offense. Most of the anger for its sluggish start to 2019 is directed at quarterback Mitch Trubisky. That’s fair. It comes with the position he plays. He has yet to throw a touchdown pass this season and has the second-lowest quarterback rating among starting QBs so far this year. That said, it’s not just him. The wide receivers for their part aren’t getting open enough and have dropped some passes. Blocking up front, especially in the running game has also been poor.
Improvement is needed if the Bears are going to navigate a tough schedule the rest of the way. They know it just as much as everybody else. It will be interesting to see how this develops.
