The Chicago Bears will begin preparing this week to take on the New York Giants on the road on Sunday. With a win, the Bears will move their record to 3-1 and put themselves in a position where they could easily find themselves above .500 by the end of October. Chicago could be in a favorable situation of playing opponents at the right time as their next five opponents are battling significant injuries or recurring issues.

Injuries and Glaring Weaknesses Can Allow The Bears To Get On A Winning-Streak

Four of the Bears’ next five opponents each have had one of their key players on offense suffer an injury that will force them to miss time or limit their ability if they play. On Monday Night against the Dallas Cowboys, the Giants lost their top wide receiver in Sterling Shepard, as he tore his ACL on the final offensive play of the game for New York. The Giants are already battling issues at the receiver position as second-year pass-catcher Kadarius Toney is battling an injury with high-priced receiver Kenny Golladay being extremely unhappy with the team.

Giants still 2-1 with the Bears on deck at MetLife Stadium after a 23-16 loss to the Cowboys.

The WR position is a major problem. Sterling Shepard injury looked bad. Offensive line needs to play better too. Can’t allow that much pressure.

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 27, 2022

If Giants’ quarterback Daniel Jones can’t get the ball to his wide receivers, this will enable the Bears’ defense to focus more on stopping Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley. Chicago’s defense could be able to play their safeties closer to the line of scrimmage, knowing that New York will be unable to throw the ball deep due to a lack of proven wide receivers. A lack of quality receivers could force Jones to hold onto the ball longer, providing the Bears’ pass-rush more opportunities to sack the opposing quarterback.

Chicago’s Week 5 opponent will be the Minnesota Vikings, whose rushing offense could be limited by a shoulder injury to Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook. Against the Lions in Week 3, Cook dislocated his shoulder in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. Although Minnesota’s running back is unlikely to miss time, his effectiveness could be limited when his team hosts the Bears on October 9th. The injury could enable Chicago’s defense to focus more time on pass defense to stop quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

#Vikings RB Dalvin Cook’s shoulder dislocated again today, as it has in the past, and he'll be OK, per sources.

Cook has an unrepaired labral tear and wasn't wearing a harness. As @ProFootballTalk said, the hope is Cook will harness up and play next Sunday vs. the #Saints.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 25, 2022

Although there are no significant injuries for Chicago’s Week 6 opponent in the Washington Commanders, the Commanders’ defense is struggling immensely to stop opponents” passing offenses. In Washington’s first three games, they have allowed at least 22 points per game while opposing quarterbacks are averaging 274 passing yards. The Commanders’ poor passing defense could benefit Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who is struggling to get his team’s pass offense going.

Following the Commanders’ game, the Bears will be on the road to take on the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys in Weeks 7 and 8, as both teams will likely be without their starting quarterbacks. Dallas lost Dak Prescott to a fractured thumb in Week 1, while New England lost second-year quarterback Mac Jones to an ankle sprain this past week. Playing backup Brian Hoyer could benefit the defense, while playing Cooper Rush could be more difficult than expected, given Rush’s success in his first two starts this season as the Cowboys have won both games.

With Mac Jones’ injury, there’s a chance the Bears next five games in this gauntlet:
— Daniel Jones
— Kirk Cousins
— Carson Wentz
— Brian Hoyer
— Cooper Rush

— Josh Schrock (@Schrock_And_Awe) September 26, 2022

Playing Teams At The Right Time Has Benefitted The Bears Before

If Chicago can play good football and capitalize on their opponents’ injuries, they could potentially have a 7-1 record by the end of October. Before the start of the 2022 season, most NFL analysts and journalists didn’t believe the Bears would finish the season with five wins. By beating even four of their next five opponents, Chicago could be in a position to contend for a playoff spot by December.

Taking advantage of opponents’ injuries and playing them at the right time has helped the Bears make the playoffs before. During the 2020 season, the Bears had a streak of games in which they faced opponents battling injuries. Four of Chicago’s first five wins of 2020 came against opponents without Pro Bowl players on offense. From Week 2 through 5, The Bears avoided playing Barkley, Julio Jones, Chris Godwin, and Christian McCaffrey. Chicago’s five wins allowed them to finish the season with an 8-8 record, enabling them to make the playoffs that season.

Now official: Falcons’ WR Julio Jones is out for today’s game against the Chicago Bears due to his lingering hamstring injury.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 27, 2020

On Sunday against the Giants, the Bears could benefit from playing an offense without several important players, resulting in Chicago’s defense having a greater chance of controlling the game. Although several of the Bears’ victories could come due to external factors, it is still on the team to take advantage of the misfortunes plaguing their opponents. Wins against injured opponents are still as valuable as a win against a healthy, more talented opponent.