The Chicago Bears will host the New Orleans Saints this weekend following a bye week full of questions. With a 3-2 record, four of the Bears' next five games will be against teams that appeared in the NFL Divisional Playoffs last year. Their next three games will be against the Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Although it may be tough, the Bears are playing these teams at the right time.
The Saints' two most important players are battling injuries. Quarterback Drew Brees will miss the game with a thumb injury All-Pro running back Alvin Kamara is battling a high ankle injury. Kamara could miss the game, and he doesn't he will not be 100 percent. Without Brees, the Saints offense has struggled to put points on the board against quality teams. New Orleans has scored 13 points or less in two of their last three games with Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback.
The Bears defense will need to capitalize on the Saints injuries and have a bounce-back performance from their worst game of the season against the Oakland Raiders. If the defense can keep the Saints in check, it will make it an easier return from injury for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. The last thing the Chicago could afford is to get into an offensive shootout and have to rely on their quarterback who will be playing with a harness around his left arm.
Next week the Bears will host the Los Angeles Chargers who have been inconsistent this entire season. Although they have running back Melvin Gordon back, they have struggled both on offense and defense. Against a Steelers team starting a third-string quarterback, the Chargers defense allowed 124 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Quarterback Phillip Rivers has thrown six interceptions and has four fumbles. Their troubles appear to be affecting team chemistry as All-Pro wide receiver Keenan Allen had an interesting retweet.
Again the Bears could be catching a talented team at the right time. Chicago has just two games of forcing multiple turnovers. Rivers' inability to protect the football could help get the Bears defense back on track. Offensively for the Bears, their running game could benefit from playing a Los Angeles defense that has allowed 90 rushing yards or more in four of their six games. Chicago has only rushed for 100 yards as a team just once this season.
The Bears will be on the road for week nine when they travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles. Although Philadelphia's offense is good, their defense has been one of the league's worse. they have allowed over 24 points more in five of their games with opposing quarterbacks passing for 300 yards or more in four of their games.
Chicago will have added motivation playing against Philadelphia as it was the Eagles who eliminated the Bears from the playoffs last season. If the Bears can win their net three games, their record would sit a 6-2 heading into the second half of the season, drastically improving their odds with the Great Casino Canada, which offers great no deposit bonuses for Canadians. This is huge given who they will play and where they currently sit in the NFC North standings.
They will have four games against the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Giants. Although their record may not reflect it, Detroit is just a few plays away from being the league's third undefeated team. The Rams have had an up and down season, but acquired Pro-Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. If healthy, the Giants will pose a dangerous offensive threat with Daniel Jones, Evan Engram, and Saquan Barkley.
It is imperative for the Bears to be four games above .500 at the season's halfway point. The Green Packers lead the division with a 5-1 record, but following their game against the Raiders, six of their last nine games will be on the road. If the Bears have any hope of trying to reclaim first place of the NFC North, they need to start by winning favorable matchups against their next three opponents.
