CHICAGO BEARS
2022 Record - 3-14
Head Coach - Matt Eberflus
Offensive Rank - 28th (308 YPG); Scoring - 23rd (19.2 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 29th (376 YPG); Scoring - 32nd (27.2 PPG)
The Bears will be looking to Justin Fields as the starting quarterback again this season. Fields passed for 2,242 yards last year with 17 touchdowns and eleven interceptions while also leading the team in rushing with 1,143 yards (7.1 YPC average) and scored eight touchdowns. Khalil Herbert (731 rush yards, 5.7 YPC, four TD) will get his chance this year after David Montgomery went to the Detroit Lions. Also in the mix is D'Onta Foreman (914, 4.5 YPC, five TD with Carolina) and rookie Roschon Johnson (Texas). DJ Moore (63 receptions, 888 yards, seven TD) comes over from Carolina and is the top receiver for the Bears. Others include Darnell Mooney (40, 493, two TD), Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown (21, 323, one TD), rookie Tyler Scott (Cincinnati) and tight end Cole Kmet, who led the team last season with 50 receptions for 544 yards and seven touchdowns. Robert Tonyan (53, 470, two TD with Green Bay) is also available at tight end.
On defense, Justin Jones (three QB sacks), Trevis Gipson (three sacks) and Yannick Ngakuoe (9 1/2 sacks with Indianapolis) spearhead the front seven. Tremaine Edwards, Jack Sanborn and T.J. Edwards are the linebackers. The secondary features Eddie Jackson (four interceptions), Kyler Gordon (three picks), Jaquan Brisker (four sacks) and Jaylon Johnson. Rookie corners Tyrique Stevenson (Miami, FL) and Terell Smith (Minnesota) will look to contribute this season.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - The Bears suffered through a miserable season in 2022 and quarterback Justin Fields was a bright spot, doing it all for the team on offense, including coming real close to breaking the season rushing record for quarterbacks. However, Head Coach Matt Eberflus would like to see a lot less running and more passing from Fields, who was sacked 58 times last season.
The defense was the worst in the NFL as far as scoring, allowing 463 points. They simply gave up too much to opponents, including on the ground, allowing 157 rushing yards per game. That must improve if they want to get back on track in the NFC North, which features the Minnesota Vikings and resurgent Detroit Lions. Bears' nemesis Aaron Rodgers is gone from Green Bay (now with N.Y. Jets) so that is a good thing. The Bears were 0-6 against their division opponents as well.
This season will be a rebuilding year and if the offense can click with the running game again (the Bears were number one in the NFL, averaging 177 YPG) and the passing game gets it going with Fields having a primary target in DJ Moore and better pass protection, look for a more competitive team. Perhaps they can challenge Green Bay or Minnesota for third place, but the reality is they will finish last again in the division, but should get more than three wins this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Green Bay
Week Two - at Tampa Bay
Week Three - at Kansas City
Week Four - vs. Denver
Week Five - at Washington
Week Six - vs. Minnesota
Week Seven - vs. Las Vegas
Week Eight - at L.A. Chargers
Week Nine - at New Orleans
Week Ten - vs. Carolina
Week Eleven - at Detroit
Week Twelve - at Minnesota
Week Thirteen - BYE
Week Fourteen - vs. Detroit
Week Fifteen - at Cleveland
Week Sixteen - vs. Arizona
Week Seventeen - vs. Atlanta
Week Eighteen - at Green Bay
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