The Chicago Bears couldn't get over the painful memories of what happened in Detroit. After leading 26-14 with four minutes left, they let the game slip away on a furious Lions comeback. People wondered how they'd respond in the rematch at Soldier Field. Things looked shaky in the first half. After taking a 10-0 lead, the Bears allowed Detroit to pull ahead 13-10. It seemed as if the Lions would put them away in the second half. Then something strange happened. Led by Justin Fields and their rejuvenated defense, the Bears took over the game.
They scored 18 unanswered points, spearheaded by a Fields TD pass to D.J. Moore and a TD run. The defense swarmed Jared Goff and pitched a shutout the rest of the way. Chicago cruised to a 28-13 win, exorcizing the demons of that Ford Field debacle. However, that performance may also end up having a much broader impact, according to longtime insider Peter King. He wrote on NBC Sports that Fields' performance in recent weeks, capped by that victory, indicates what the Bears' likely 2024 NFL draft plans will be.
"The Bears have to block out all the noise over the next four weeks and over the first four months of 2024. If Justin Fields plays down the stretch as well as he played in beating the Lions Sunday and has played often this season—if, if, if—GM Ryan Poles should auction the first pick in the draft for three ones and build a contending around the 24-year-old Fields.
Deep breaths, Chicagoland. Bear down."
This Chicago Bears assessment by King carries plenty of weight.
Plenty of people have been critical of Fields this season, this writer included. Even so, facts are facts. After a rough start to the season through his first three games, he's been much sharper. In his last six starts, Fields has thrown for 1,284 yards, ten touchdowns, and two interceptions for a 104.5 passer rating. He's completing over 66% of his passes. Along the way, he's also rushed for 349 yards and another touchdown. If not for his brutal 4th quarter turnovers against Denver and Minnesota, people might be putting his name in Pro Bowl conversations.
If not for an injury and a defensive 4th quarter collapse, he might be 5-0 in his last five starts, too. The point is Fields has played some of his best, most efficient football down the stretch. It might not be setting the world on fire, but the improvement is obvious. His confidence is growing each week. GM Ryan Poles will have a tough decision to make. He can use this turnaround to inflate Fields' trade value while eyeing his own QB in the draft. Or he can keep Fields in place, wheel and deal with the #1 pick again, and keep stacking the roster around the 24-year-old.
King might be right. The second option looks more appealing by the week for the Chicago Bears.
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