The Chicago Bears took advantage of a banged-up Los Angeles Rams team last week. Not only were they missing star receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, but also three starting offensive linemen. It showed. Good teams take advantage of such good fortune. It appears the Bears are in store for a sequel this weekend against the Carolina Panthers. They already lost star defensive tackle Derrick Brown for the year. Now star linebacker Shaq Thompson will join him with an Achilles injury. Fellow inside linebacker Josey Jewell is also out with groin and hamstring problems.
If you thought that was the extent of the misery, think again. Carolina just released its latest injury report, and it feels like the aftermath of a natural disaster. No fewer than 16 players were limited or did not practice on Thursday, including tight ends Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble, wide receiver Diontae Johnson, and guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt.
The Chicago Bears will host an ailing football team Sunday.
Even if the majority of those players listed do suit up, they won’t be at 100%. It presents a golden opportunity for this team to stack another victory in what is the softest part of their schedule. Carolina is 1-3 this year. However, they aren’t the listless punching back from even a few weeks ago. Switching to quarterback Andy Dalton has finally steadied their offense, and they’ve been competitive in each of their past two games. The injuries don’t guarantee a victory for the Chicago Bears. It is merely something that should provide matchup advantages. The last thing this team needs is feeling overconfident after beating the Rams by six.
If they can contain Carolina’s rushing attack and get heat on Dalton, this is a game they should win.
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I do not like their owner in the least. But with all those injuries, maybe they will surprise and fight like wounded honey badgers that do not think twice about confronting Bears, wolves, and wild dogs. They might surprise everyone, including themselves. Just do not let them stay in the game until half time.