{"id":132861,"date":"2022-04-13T17:39:12","date_gmt":"2022-04-13T21:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=132861"},"modified":"2022-04-13T17:57:12","modified_gmt":"2022-04-13T21:57:12","slug":"could-the-chicago-bears-sneak-into-the-playoffs-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/04\/13\/could-the-chicago-bears-sneak-into-the-playoffs-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Could the Chicago Bears Sneak Into the Playoffs This Year?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears could find their way into this year\u2019s playoffs despite being written off by everyone from here to Tottenham Stadium across the pond in England. As fans experienced with former Bears head coach, Matt Nagy, the real trick is to not overthink yourself into mistakes.<\/span><\/p>\n

They took the league by storm to a 12-4 record and their first playoff berth in eight years, getting back to the postseason in 2020 after the NFL expanded the field to 14 teams.<\/span><\/p>\n

Going 14-19 in the other two years of Nagy\u2019s tenure, including 6-11 in 2021, is why the new regime<\/a> of Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus are here while Nagy and his former general manager, Ryan Pace, are elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, the organization is trying to get back on the path to the postseason.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Sleep on the Possibility of Chicago Bears Sneaking Into the Playoffs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Football is a Simple Game\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Second-year quarterback, Justin Fields<\/a>, has quickly become of the few holdovers from (former Bears GM) Ryan Pace and one that most hope will stick around for a long time. He certainly has the most potential to uplift the entire franchise due to his talent and the position he plays. Quarterback is unquestionably the most important position on the field.<\/span><\/p>\n

While his first season wasn\u2019t what many hoped it would be \u2013 the embattled passer <\/span>sent out a message of gratitude<\/span><\/a> for everyone helping through last season \u2013 he still showed some flashes of what made him a tantalizing prospect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If he and the Bears want him to take the next step, though, they will need to get him on the move more this season<\/span><\/p>\n

Not to oversimplify things, but Fields finished with the seventh-highest time to throw in the league last year at 2.91 seconds, per NFL Next Gen Stats<\/a>. That was tied with Teddy Bridgwater then of the Denver Broncos. As bad as that sounds, he is ahead of Lamar Jackson and right behind Josh Allen.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem is that he ranked fifth among quarterbacks with 420 rushing yards last season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That is only three fewer yards than Kyler Murray whose time to throw was 2.77 seconds but well below the leader of the pack, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts<\/a>. Hurts rushed for 784 yards while averaging the highest time to throw in the NFL last season as 3.12 seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

The only other players to even reach 3.0 seconds were Jameis Winston who played in just seven games for the New Orleans Saints before getting hurt and last year\u2019s second-overall pick, Zach Wilson of the New York Jets. Neither of them is the running threat that Fields is as someone who possesses legitimate 3.3-speed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fields\u2019 Day<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Bears traded up to get Fields 11th overall in last year\u2019s NFL Draft. The move cost them and this new regime their first-round pick in this upcoming iteration. That will complicate Fields\u2019 ascension.<\/span><\/p>\n

They can make waves with a strong running attack led by David Montgomery<\/a> and their quarterback\u2019s dual-threat ability. Perhaps even all of the way to the postseason much in the way that Hurts\u2019 Eagles did despite ranking 25th in passing yards and 32nd in passing attempts last season.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two things Fields doesn\u2019t have, at least not yet anyway. They are the fourth-ranked offensive line <\/span>by DVOA, per Football Outsiders<\/span><\/a>, and a stud wide receiver like DeVonta Smith.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Those Don’t Grow on Trees<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Bears offensive line ranked 23rd overall and 32nd in pass protection last season. They allowed the most sacks in the league.<\/span><\/p>\n

As for weapons, Darnell Mooney<\/a> might not be Smith, but he did record the franchise\u2019s second 1000-yard season since 2014 and just the 18th in franchise history last season.<\/span><\/p>\n

To be fair, the Eagles’ offense didn\u2019t play the same way all season. This piece from <\/span>Johnny Page of Bleeding Green Nation<\/span><\/a> details how they went from a shotgun passing attack to one that had Hurst lining up under center. That was something Fields was known for coming out of college.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The praise of Justin Fields from the college football world and in NFL circles consistently lands on his toughness and his ability to test defenses in so many different ways. In the pocket. On the move. Under center or shotgun. As a thrower. As a runner. So much to work with.<\/p>\n

— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) April 30, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n