The Chicago Bears aren’t the popular pick to win the division this season. That is hardly a surprise. They went 3-14 last year and have plenty of question marks remaining about their roster. Discussions of the NFC North center around the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Aaron Rodgers is gone, so the Packers are out. Minnesota won the division last year. Detroit won eight of their final ten games of the season. Both have valid reasons to think they’re the favorites to win the crown.
However, there is one reason to think the Bears’ odds aren’t as long as some would have you believe. An interesting stat came out recently via Fantasy Points Data. It graphs every starting quarterback from last year, covering their number of turnover-worthy throws versus their number of interceptions. Two things become immediately apparent. Lions quarterback Jared Goff got away with a ton of throws that should’ve been picked off. Meanwhile, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins had lots of interceptions and should’ve had even more.
The Chicago Bears can trust NFL karma to do its job.
One thing about this league is that luck doesn’t last forever. Goff’s final three years in Los Angeles saw him throw 29 interceptions. His going nine straight games last season without an interception last year is not going to happen again. Not with his track record. Cousins is no different. He’s proven many times over the years that he puts the ball in harm’s way. Don’t forget six of Minnesota’s victories last year were decided by four points or less. Their margin for error was razor-thin. If he throws 14 interceptions again, they’re going to lose quite a few more games.
That is why people shouldn’t dismiss the Chicago Bears so easily. Their defense has improved considerably from last year, especially up front. If they can make Goff or Cousins uncomfortable in the meetings to come, that secondary is good enough to make them pay. Maybe Detroit or Minnesota win the division this year. Both are good enough. Still, it would be unwise to hand them anything when both still have legitimate handicaps at the quarterback position.
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This season will turn on what the offense is capable of producing. Unlike in previous years, this defense is not yet ready to carry the team to the promised land alone. While the defense will be stoter against the run and should have an improved pass defense, it will be up to J Fields and Co. to carry the load and score more than 17-21 points per game. If this offense becomes as potent in 2023 that there seems to be a ton of reason to expect….the Bears will make the playoffs and a strong push to win the division… Read more »
@Kjmerk – 100% agree … you said it perfectly!
The Bears have a shot and injuries will play a huge part along with JF. That withstanding the Bears have a flawed roster at the all important pass rush position because they need two of them to be relevant, not unless someone on the team steps up because they have the makings of a very good secondary. If they start out good they will have a very good chance at the playoffs. After the 4th to 8th game they should hit their stride and be a dangerous team and make the playoffs.
Or not. All we have is conjecture at this point. There are plenty of variables that don’t favor Chicago either. Teams have had a full season of film to dissect on Fields now.
All teams improved this off-season, except for Green Bay who appears to be in limbo. Ill reserve judgement for when pads come on and snaps count
Lions will be what the lions do. Have an OK year one year and then disappoint their fans the next year.
Look at it this year. They all think they own the North because they barely MISSED the playoffs. That was like them winning the SB to them. They have an almost year 1 year and then crap the bed the next year. How many times have we seen that song and dance from them. I don’t think this year will be any different. Whenever there’s excitement from their fans it goes POOF!