3-10. As Matt Nagy would famously say, “it’s just where we’re at”. That is where the Chicago Bears stand after Week 13 of the 2022 NFL Season. Mercifully, the Bears will get to re-group during the Week 14 bye after losing six straight contests. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as some key members in the secondary are still dealing with lingering concussions and players have to be fatigued after waiting for the longest bye in the NFL. Since the Bears will not be playing a football game this week (thankfully), let’s recap how they’ve gotten to this point in the season.
The season opener was much anticipated as it is with every team league-wide. Fields was the unquestioned starter and spent an entire offseason learning a new offense. Eberflus came in as a defensive minded head coach with plenty of young talent in his secondary. Not many wins were expected from this squad, as Vegas had the over/under at 5.5 wins. But to many’s surprise, the Bears started their season with a dub against 49ers in what was dubbed as the “monsoon game”. With the team feeling some week one momentum, it was time to see if we could exercise some demons on SNF at Lambeau Field against the Pack. This would not be the case however, as Fields struggled mightily and only recorded 70 passing yards.
Looking to bounce back against the Texans in Week 3, Fields actually performed worse. He threw two bad interceptions and if it wasn’t for Khalil Herbert and a strong defensive showing, the Bears could have easily been 1-2 through their first three games.
Nonetheless, they picked up a W and took their 2-1 record into the Meadowlands to take on the G-men in Week 4. Fields played somewhat better, but the offense couldn’t convert in opponent territory and settled for four fields goals in a 20-12 loss.
In Week 5, the schedule called for the Bears to travel to Minneapolis to take on our division rival Vikings. This game was certainly exciting, as Fields led a spirited second half comeback that fell just short in a 29-22 loss to put our record at 2-3. On a short week, the Commanders came into town to play a TNF contest. In a low scoring affair, the Bears offense was unable to convert in the red zone all night and lost 12-7. At 2-4, the Bears seemed to be reeling heading into their mini-bye. Up next was a date with the Patriots at Gillette stadium on MNF.
In what seemed like a for sure loss, the Bears actually played an excellent all around game and secured a 33-14 win on a foggy night in Foxborough. At 3-4, it appeared the Patriots win could have been a stepping stone in the correct direction.
Bettors of the under win total were more than likely shaking as the Bears headed to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in a Week 9 matchup. In a game where Fields and the offense played well, the defense got absolutely shredded.
Next week was a bout against the high powered Miami Dolphins offense, and the game went about as you would expect with them putting up 35 points in a 35-32 win.
With the record sitting at 3-6, the usually lowly Lions came into town looking to follow suite with how past Lions-Bears matchups have gone. This was not the case however, as the Lions led an exhilarating fourth quarter comeback and left the Bears scrambling at 3-7.
Next week’s matchup against the Falcons would prove brutal, as former Bear Cordarrelle Patterson returned a KO for a touchdown and Fields went down with a should injury in a 27-24 loss.
The following week the Bears would head back to the Meadowlands and face the other team from New York in the Jets. This game featured Trevor Siemian starting at QB and a lackluster defensive effort on a drizzly and damp day. The Bears ended up dropping the game 31-10 and fell to a measly 3-9.
This week, the Packers came into town and it was much anticipated as Fields was returning from injury. In what was a good fight, the Pack eventually got the best of us and descended our record to 3-10. Fields arguably had his best passing game as a pro, completing 20-25 passes for 254 yards with an electrifying 55 yard touchdown scamper.
It’s been disappointing to some, unsurprising to others. With our upcoming schedule against the Eagles, Bills, Lions, and Vikings, we will be lucky to at least win one. What is nice though is 3 of the final will be at home, if that helps in any case. At this point, it’s pure draft position. Looking ahead that’s all the focus should be on as this dismal 2022 season comes to a close.
