Coming out of the bye week, there’s a sense of optimism surrounding the Chicago Bears. Holding a 4-2 record and with the offense beginning to find its identity, there’s hope that the Bears can make some noise in the NFC. With that, here are some bold predictions for the Bears moving forward.
Chicago Bears Bold Predictions for the Road Ahead
Gervon Dexter Sr. Leads the Team in Sacks
Gervon Dexter Sr. has been on a tear this season, racking up five sacks and projecting to finish with 43 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, ten tackles for loss, and 32 quarterback hits. With all the focus on Montez Sweat, Dexter Sr. has an opportunity to showcase why he is one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL. Reports from the offseason noted that Dexter Sr. made “massive strides” and arrived at training camp in excellent condition, which has clearly paid off. He’s emerged as one of the league’s most disruptive defensive tackles, with his five sacks trailing only New York Giants DT Dexter Lawrence. Dexter Sr. could very well end up leading the team in sacks, possibly hitting double digits.
Caleb Williams Makes the Pro Bowl as a Rookie
If it’s not obvious by now, Caleb Williams is the franchise quarterback the Bears have been desperately waiting for. Despite a rocky start to the season, he’s started to find his rhythm and has demonstrated why he was the No. 1 overall pick. In his recent game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Williams joined the ranks of Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III, and Aaron Rodgers as one of the few quarterbacks to achieve four passing touchdowns, a 75% completion rate, and 50 rushing yards in a single game. Additionally, in his last four games, Williams has thrown for 1,042 yards, nine touchdowns, and only three interceptions with a 109.5 passer rating.
Williams is trending in the right direction and has a legitimate shot at making the Pro Bowl. Most elite quarterbacks right now all reign in the AFC, leaving the door wide open for Williams to sneak into the Pro Bowl. It’ll likely be as a replacement, but who knows, maybe Williams will prove the doubters wrong against tougher competition.
Cole Kmet Makes Second Team All-Pro
After being named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his long snapping in Week 6, there’s no telling how far Cole Kmet can go this season. He ranks second among NFL tight ends in receiving yards, trailing only Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers. Kmet also leads tight ends with zero drops, and he ranks second with 15 first downs and three touchdowns through six weeks. He’s quickly become a focal point in the Bears’ offense and is undoubtedly one of the top tight ends this year.
Personally, he’s on the path to becoming a First Team All-Pro tight end, but everyone said the same thing last season with cornerback Jaylon Johnson only for him to receive Second Team All-Pro. There must be a “Bears tax,” but it’s still a great honor for the fifth-year tight end.
Bears Win All Home Division Matchups
It’s safe to say the NFC North is the best division in the NFL this season. With a combined record of 17 wins and just 5 losses, this marks the first time in league history that a division has boasted a .750+ winning percentage through the first six weeks. However, things will get interesting. There’s only been one game played between two NFC North teams, with the Minnesota Vikings squeezing out a 31-29 victory against the Green Bay Packers.
Chicago has proven to be a challenging venue for visiting teams, as shown by the Bears’ impressive eight-game home win streak. With colder temperatures setting in—conditions that the Vikings and Detroit Lions aren’t as accustomed to—the Bears have a golden opportunity to extend their home winning streak even further. All that’s left is for them to exorcise their demons against the Packers and prove it’s not a one-sided rivalry anymore.
Main Image: Peter Van Den Berg – USA Today Sports
