Justin Fields Needs To Start Leading The Bears To Wins Against Division Rivals

The Chicago Bears will start their 2023 season on Sunday at home against the Green Bay Packers as the longest-standing rivalry in the NFL will be renewed once again. There is intense excitement leading up to Sunday's matchup, with much intrigue surrounding Bears' quarterback Justin Fields, who is hoping to improve as a passer this year. Despite the questions on whether or not Fields can develop as a throwing quarterback, the third-year player also needs to improve his ability to help Chicago win divisional games.

Bears Have Had A Dismal Record Against Divisional Opponents With Fields At Quarterback

Since the Bears drafted Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft with the overall selection, Chicago's overall record has not been impressive under the former Ohio State quarterback, especially within the NFC North Division. Over the last two years, the Bears have a 2-10 record in 12 divisional games. Of those 12 games, Fields has started nine of those games and has only won one game, which was his first game playing a team within the division.

Fields' first home start of his career came against the Detroit Lions in Week 4 of the 2021 season. In the contest, he passed for 209 yards on 11 completions, including a superb deep-ball throw to Darnell Mooney for 64 yards. Fields led Chicago's offense to three touchdowns in a 24-14 win, as he completed several passes 25 yards or longer.

Since the victory over the Lions, the Bears unfortunately have an eight-game losing streak with Fields as the team's starter. Last season, Chicago lost all six of their division matchups, with five of those games featuring the former Ohio State quarterback as the starter under center. In those five losses, Fields had a few decent games, such as the 208-yard passing performance against the Vikings in Week 5, but there were a few poor performances against the Packers and Lions.

The struggles against divisional foes are troublesome because of the Bears' 2023 schedule and when they play the Packers, Lions, and Vikings. Although Chicago opens against Green Bay Week One this year, they will only have one more divisional game before the start of November, which takes place on October 15th against the Minnesota Vikings. Four of the Bears' six divisional games are slated for after Week 11. If Chicago has intentions of winning the NFC North Division or making the playoffs, these four games are critical, given the lack of success within the division over the past two years.

Fields Needs To Find Consistency Against Divisional Opponents moving forward

One of the main reasons for the divisional losses for Chicago, with Fields as their starter, is due to his inconsistent performances against divisional opponents. In several games, the Bears' third-year quarterback has had issues leading Chicago's offense on scoring drives and moving the football with any level of consistency. In Fields' nine games against opponents within the division, Chicago's offense has only scored 23 points or more three times.

Although Fields played well in several divisional games, there were a few games where Chicago's offense was stagnant behind the young quarterback. In Week 2 against the Packers and Week 16 against the Lions, the Bears' offense score touchdowns on their first drives of the games. Despite scoring early, Chicago's offense could only generate a field goal in the remainder of each game. Fields, despite the Bears trailing by more than 17 points in either game, passed for less than 150 yards total in both contests.

In games against the Lions, Packers, and Vikings over the past two years, Fields has thrown eight touchdowns to nine interceptions, and has lost three fumbles. The third-year quarterback's inability to protect the ball has been a significant issue against divisional opponents, as he threw a costly interception that resulted in a return touchhdown in the team's week ten game against the Lions. Although Chicago was leading 24-17, an ill-advised throw by Fields allowed Detroit to tie the game and later win by a final score of 31-30.

Chicago being successful against their divisional opponents in 2023 hinges on the success of Fields, as the quarterback is the most vital piece to the Bears' performance this year. By having more scoring drives while protecting the football, the third-year quarterback will put his team in a position to win more games but critical divisional games more importantly. If Fields matures as a passer, it will lead to wins and a potential divisional title.