- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,196,022
- Reaction score
- 59
The Chicago Bears have officially clinched the NFC North before they even step on the field Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers, thanks to the Baltimore Ravens defeating the Green Bay Packers. But Chicago is still very much in play for the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.
Ben Johnson's first year as a head coach in the NFL is already a success, with this being a playoff team, but expectations change as time goes on. This team, led by this coach and this quarterback, can do some amazing things when the chips are down.
Against the 49ers, it will take a team effort to get the job done. There is nothing that they can't accomplish if everyone does their job to the best of their ability. With that said, six players are coming in looking to make an impact like they never have before.
Caleb Williams is the quarterback of the Bears, and everything good and bad about them starts with him. If they are going to have a chance against the 49ers, they need some of his magic to come in waves. Nobody should be questioning his ability to make the big throw when the game is on the line. They don't call him the "Iceman" for no reason. Against the 49ers, he should find a way to make big throws, pick apart the defense using the run game to his advantage, and walk away from there with another win in his pocket.
With Rome Odunze out for another week, DJ Moore is going to continue being the number one receiver. Whether it was big gain catches or the game-winning touchdown, Moore made the biggest impact against the Packers last week. There has been some speculation about Moore's status with the team beyond this year, but keeping him around may be the best thing for the overall makeup of the offense. Having more than one impactful weapon for Williams to utilize is not a bad thing.
Colston Loveland has really started to become a key contributor in the second half of the season. Ben Johnson took a minute to get Loveland's feet wet as a pass catcher, but now he's off and running. Having a solid tight end to check down to makes things easier for Williams to move the offense with regularity. Loveland is also good for a big play or two a game, making winning much easier. Cole Kmet also deserves a nod. Whether it's pass blocking or receiving, he can change the game as well. We know that Loveland is the tight end of the future, but this two-tight-end set can make a difference as this team moves into the playoffs.
Montez Sweat is the leader of Chicago's defensive line. He is the only one who has the ability to create pressure regularly. He hasn't totally lived up to the trade or the contract, but he is still their top guy. Chicago will have a much better chance of winning if it can make Brock Purdy uncomfortable. He is prone to turnovers if he isn't feeling great about his situation. Sweat can lead to the Bears being successful in that regard. Not only is Sweat attempting to make life hard on Purdy, but he is also going to play a role in stopping McCaffrey and the run game. If he does his job well, it will make it easier for other players on the defensive line to do what they need to.
Tremaine Edmunds returned from injury last week and made an impact right away. He is having a much better season than anyone anticipated after the last couple of mediocre years, thanks to new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. With San Francisco's strong run game, Edmunds and the linebackers will have their hands full. Alongside T.J. Edwards, who' everyone expects to be great's questionable with a glute injury, they will play a big role in the success of stopping McCaffery. If they are unsuccessful, they will have a hard time winning the game.
It can't all be on Moore every week with Odunze out of the lineup. It will make Williams' life easier to have another top target to pair with Moore. Luther Burdern III is set to return from injury, which will be a big boost for the offense. You know that the return of Burden will open things off for Johnson, who has been a mastermind of scheming plays to move the ball. With more weapons at Williams' disposal, they might not need a miracle at the end to pull off a win, which is always a better recipe for success. The fact that other good secondary options are there will make it easier for Burden to slowly but surely ease his way back into action.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. 49ers: Players to watch for Chicago in Week 17
Continue reading...
Ben Johnson's first year as a head coach in the NFL is already a success, with this being a playoff team, but expectations change as time goes on. This team, led by this coach and this quarterback, can do some amazing things when the chips are down.
Against the 49ers, it will take a team effort to get the job done. There is nothing that they can't accomplish if everyone does their job to the best of their ability. With that said, six players are coming in looking to make an impact like they never have before.
QB Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams is the quarterback of the Bears, and everything good and bad about them starts with him. If they are going to have a chance against the 49ers, they need some of his magic to come in waves. Nobody should be questioning his ability to make the big throw when the game is on the line. They don't call him the "Iceman" for no reason. Against the 49ers, he should find a way to make big throws, pick apart the defense using the run game to his advantage, and walk away from there with another win in his pocket.
WR DJ Moore
With Rome Odunze out for another week, DJ Moore is going to continue being the number one receiver. Whether it was big gain catches or the game-winning touchdown, Moore made the biggest impact against the Packers last week. There has been some speculation about Moore's status with the team beyond this year, but keeping him around may be the best thing for the overall makeup of the offense. Having more than one impactful weapon for Williams to utilize is not a bad thing.
TE Colston Loveland
Colston Loveland has really started to become a key contributor in the second half of the season. Ben Johnson took a minute to get Loveland's feet wet as a pass catcher, but now he's off and running. Having a solid tight end to check down to makes things easier for Williams to move the offense with regularity. Loveland is also good for a big play or two a game, making winning much easier. Cole Kmet also deserves a nod. Whether it's pass blocking or receiving, he can change the game as well. We know that Loveland is the tight end of the future, but this two-tight-end set can make a difference as this team moves into the playoffs.
DE Montez Sweat
Montez Sweat is the leader of Chicago's defensive line. He is the only one who has the ability to create pressure regularly. He hasn't totally lived up to the trade or the contract, but he is still their top guy. Chicago will have a much better chance of winning if it can make Brock Purdy uncomfortable. He is prone to turnovers if he isn't feeling great about his situation. Sweat can lead to the Bears being successful in that regard. Not only is Sweat attempting to make life hard on Purdy, but he is also going to play a role in stopping McCaffrey and the run game. If he does his job well, it will make it easier for other players on the defensive line to do what they need to.
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Tremaine Edmunds returned from injury last week and made an impact right away. He is having a much better season than anyone anticipated after the last couple of mediocre years, thanks to new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. With San Francisco's strong run game, Edmunds and the linebackers will have their hands full. Alongside T.J. Edwards, who' everyone expects to be great's questionable with a glute injury, they will play a big role in the success of stopping McCaffery. If they are unsuccessful, they will have a hard time winning the game.
WR Luther Burden III
It can't all be on Moore every week with Odunze out of the lineup. It will make Williams' life easier to have another top target to pair with Moore. Luther Burdern III is set to return from injury, which will be a big boost for the offense. You know that the return of Burden will open things off for Johnson, who has been a mastermind of scheming plays to move the ball. With more weapons at Williams' disposal, they might not need a miracle at the end to pull off a win, which is always a better recipe for success. The fact that other good secondary options are there will make it easier for Burden to slowly but surely ease his way back into action.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears vs. 49ers: Players to watch for Chicago in Week 17
Continue reading...
