Chicago Bears are still predicted to make the playoffs

It's rather surprising that belief is so low in the Chicago Bears. They're 3-2 and sitting in the mix of the top teams in the NFC. They're in second place in their division, holding the key tiebreaker over Minnesota. Has everything gone as planned? Of course not. The offense is a mess with problems across the board, which has put tons of extra pressure on a great defense that is now dealing with some tough injuries. To say this team lost both their games by a combined 10 points should offer encouragement, not dread.

Yet here we are.

Despite all this though, confidence remains high in some. Adam Rank of NFL.com believes the Bears are too talented and too well-coached to not make the playoffs again this year.

"The fact that the NFC North is the best division in football by a wide gap might seem daunting. But let's not crown anybody just yet. The 4-1 Packers are on top for now, but new coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers look like that couple at a dinner party who, while they are smiling, will both curse each other out when people are out of earshot. Kirk Cousins might be coming off his best game yet, but he hasn't exactly been lighting it up consistently for 3-2 Minnesota, and I'll just take this opportunity to point out that it looks like Chicago's receivers actually like their guy. As for the 2-1-1 Lions, well, they are the Lions. Which is a bit unfair, but even Lions fans will read that and be like, yeah, he's not wrong.

All of this is to say that, even with the Bears' 3-2 start looking shakier than last year's 3-2 start, and even with some foreboding matchups (vs. Saints, vs. Chargers, at Eagles, at Rams, vs. Cowboys, vs. Chiefs) on the schedule, they're still going to reach the playoffs."

Everything starts up front for the Chicago Bears

The source of the Bears' issues can be traced to the trenches. In 2018, they dominated that area of the field. Their offensive line was top 10 in most categories while their defensive line was almost impossible to move or stop consistently. Through five weeks, it's clear 2019 is very different. The offensive line is set to allow 41 sacks at their current rate and is creating just 3.4 yards per carry on the ground. By contrast, the defensive line is far more banged up than last year. Akiem Hicks is dealing with knee and elbow injuries while Bilal Nichols is recovering from a broken hand.

All the Bears can do is wait for those two to get healthy. Meanwhile, they should focus on cleaning up the mental mistakes on the offensive line. Penalties have been a huge issue with left tackle Charles Leno committing eight by himself. There is also the situation with Kyle Long. The once three-time Pro Bowler looks like a shell of himself these days. It's clear injuries have finally caught up to him. He's become their weakest link up front and it's not close. The Bears have to think about sitting him down for his and the offense's own good.

If those problems can be dealt with, the Bears should be a formidable team down the stretch despite their tough schedule.