The 2020 Chicago Bears are proving a revelation. Nobody gave them the time of day when considering teams that might compete for a playoff spot this season. Even with an expanded postseason format. They saw an 8-8 team at best. Now here they are at 5-1 leading the NFC North. Further proof predicting results before a season is utterly pointless.
Things haven’t always been pretty for the Bears. There is no arguing that. They needed comebacks of 17 points, 16 points, and 13 points to get three of their wins. Another involved a goal-to-go stand by the defense in the final seconds. Carolina had a chance to tie the game in the final minute as well before the defense shut the door.
This is a team that has built a reputation for winning ugly. Their offense is a mess, ranked 28th in the NFL. Yet they rank 5th in points scored in the 4th quarter. Defensively they are one of the best in the business, ranking 7th in both points and yards allowed. It isn’t a perfect team, but are they a good one?
Don’t ask the national media that question.
The examples of pundits crapping on the Bears have been many since the season began. USA Today predicted they’d go 3-13. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports has routinely picked against them on game predictions. Michael Kist of SB Nation called them the biggest paper tiger in NFL history. Most seem to agree this team hasn’t even beaten anybody good.
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That is until the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whom they beat on Thursday Night Football 12 days ago, walloped the undefeated Green Bay Packers 38-10. It was right about that time a meme surfaced online. One that couldn’t describe the dilemma the national media have with the Bears any better.
The 2020 Chicago Bears don’t have to apologize to anybody
Nick Foles probably summed up the situation best. His recent press conference after beating Carolina, who was 3-2 by the way, saw the quarterback bristle at the idea this team isn’t any good. Would people rather the Bears lose pretty or win ugly? Style points don’t mean a thing in the NFL. It’s all about winning football games by any means necessary.
Yes, the offense needs to be better. That was never something the Bears disputed. At the same time, having room to improve while still winning is a great thing for this team. It means they haven’t reached their full potential yet. If and when they find that identity that works on offense, they’ll be a team nobody wants to play come January.
Odds are people will know who this team really is over the next three weeks. Chicago plays the Rams, Saints, and Titans during that stretch. Easily the toughest of the season for the Bears. All three are playing good football and present matchup problems. If they are truly good enough, then they will continue finding ways to win.
Maybe then the national media might finally give the 2020 Chicago Bears some long-overdue respect. Given their track record up to this point? Don’t count on it.