Catastrophic Injury Has Completely Altered Chicago Bears Path To Playoffs

The Chicago Bears took care of business on Sunday morning. They looked rested and well-prepared for the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, scoring 35 points in the final three quarters to produce their second blowout win in a row. It was an important one after losing three starters to injuries in the secondary, meaning they couldn't lean on the defense to do all the work. It didn't matter. Caleb Williams threw four touchdown passes, and the offense rolled through the Jaguars defense almost at will.

Chicago enters the bye week at 4-2, winning their last three games. Events elsewhere have also altered the complexion of the playoff race. The Detroit Lions remain firmly in the chase for the NFC North crown behind Minnesota. They pasted the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday 47-9. Unfortunately, it came at an immense cost. Aidan Hutchinson, their superstar pass rusher, suffered what looks to be a gruesome tibia injury. He was put in an air cast and carted off the field. That almost always means season-ending.

Not having to face Hutchinson is huge for the Chicago Bears.

He's been a menace every time the two teams have faced off. Without him in the lineup, Detroit will have a much harder time pressuring the quarterback. He has 7.5 sacks on the season. Nobody else on the team has more than 3.5. Hutchinson was the straw that stirred the drink for that defensive front. Keep in mind the Lions had the 27th-ranked pass defense, even with his eye-popping numbers. There is no telling how much worse it might get without his presence on the field.

Williams has feasted on bottom-ranked defenses lately. He has seven touchdowns and one interception in the past three games against the Rams, Panthers, and Jaguars. If you don't apply regular pressure on him, the rookie has shown he can slice you up through the air. If the Chicago Bears can control talented defensive tackle Alim McNeil, Detroit may have a hard time getting stops. While this event is unfortunate for Hutchinson, it is a potential boon for Chicago in their quest to reach the playoffs.