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The Chicago Bears have been in the national media in recent days, but that’s more due to head coach Matt Nagy’s recent press conferences than to their victory on Sunday. Nagy’s insistence that Andy Dalton is his starting quarterback once he’s healthy, and his devious way of finally admitting Bill Lazor was Chicago’s new game caller, left NFL analysts are scratching their heads.
On the pitch, the Bears tied their record at 2-2 thanks to their offense finally starting to show some life and their defense continuing to play well, but a quick glance around the power ranks us gives an idea of what the national media think of the Bear.
NFL.com keeps the Bears ranked 29th out of 32 teams this week.
Week 4 brought undeniable progress for the Bears and their beleaguered attack. Chicago scored on David Montgomery’s touchdown passes in each of his first two possessions en route to a 24-14 victory over the terrible Lions. Justin Fields was better in his second career start, and the offensive line did a much better job protecting rookie QB (funny how that works when it’s not Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney screaming around the edges). A schematic change was also noted for the Bears, which saw offensive coordinator Bill Lazor take over play call duties for positive results. Matt Nagy didn’t seem thrilled to talk about the change after the win, but Chicago’s offense is probably better off with the head coach out of the captain’s chair.
CBS Sports pushes the Bears up two places to 21.
Justin Fields earned his first NFL victory over the Lions with a solid performance. But he does return to the bench if Andy Dalton is back, which is a questionable decision.
ESPN moved the Bears to 23-27 last week.
Biggest surprise: LB Robert Quinn
Why it’s a surprise: After an uninspiring 2020 season, Quinn has roamed the field in Bears defense for four games. The veteran passer leads the team with 4.5 sacks and has recorded several tackles for a loss. Quinn has said he’s in a better position mentally and spiritually this season – and it shows on the pitch. When Quinn is paired with Khalil Mack, the Bears have one of NFC North’s most formidable edge rusher duos. – Jeff Dickerson
Sports Illustrated places the Bears in 23rd place.
Matt Nagy gave Albert Breer some useful insight into why the Bears’ offense looked better this week, other than them against an outclassed Lions unit. But despite Justin Fields’ progress, Nagy continues to claim Andy Dalton is the starter when he is healthy. The Bears also have a tough upcoming schedule – Raiders, Packers, Bucs – which will make it difficult to build on this week’s progress.
Here’s how Yahoo Sports did it this week.
24. Chicago Bear (2-2, GA: 26)
The insistence that Andy Dalton has to start is strange. Justin Fields showed progress on Sunday in a win. What’s the point of coming back to Dalton now?
USA Today has bears like this.
24. Bears (27): Matt Nagy is the new Jason Garrett, his team having a 20-20 record in their last 40 games. At least Chicago showed a much better offensive balance in quarterback Justin Fields’ second start.
The Sporting News has the Bears close to the teens.
20. Chicago Bear 2-2 (24)
The Bears didn’t look great all over the place against the Lions, but they returned to the basics of running play and defense once they improved downstream passes with Justin Fields. Fields gives them their best chance of winning matches.
What do you think of Chicago’s place in the power rankings this week?
A road victory against the Las Vegas Adventurers this week could start to convince the national media to believe in the Bears, especially if Fields looks good and Nagy decides to stick with the rookie.
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