Justin Fields is going through the motions of so many rookie quarterbacks throughout history. He’s making mistakes, trying to learn from them, and continues to search for that elusive breakout game. Thus far the Chicago Bears haven’t been able to help him enough. Could the upcoming game against the San Francisco 49ers be different? Most would assume not. That team has the 5th-best passing offense in the NFL. Not ideal for a rookie.
At the same time, recent news might offer some optimism for Fields’ chances. San Francisco is enduring quite a string of setbacks on defense this week. Especially up front. Their former 1st round pick Javon Kinlaw went down for the year with a knee injury. Then Dee Ford, their second-most productive pass rusher, was declared out with a concussion. As was second-leading tackler Azeez Al-Shaair. Then as if things were bad enough, one of their more reliable cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir was excused due to personal reasons.
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters former first-round DT Javon Kinlaw had season-ending knee surgery. “They think they solved the problem."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 29, 2021
Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion) and Dee Ford (concussion) downgraded to OUT for Sunday's game against the Bears.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 30, 2021
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The #49ers ruled out CB Deommodore Lenoir due to personal reasons.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 31, 2021
Not ideal.
San Francisco is basically down to Nick Bosa as their only reliable pass rusher. This would allow the Bears to (theoretically) double-team him the entire game. By slowing the former Pro Bowler down, it might enable Fields to have adequate time to actually throw the ball with timing and accuracy. With Lenoir out as well, the Bears receivers should be able to get open too. Should being the operative word.
It is hard to trust that this offense can do anything right lately. Both Green Bay and Tampa Bay had banged up secondaries. The Packers didn’t have their best pass rusher. Yet those teams had no problem shutting Chicago down. How is it possible that other teams can take advantage of such issues but this one can’t? Most of the blame starts with the coaching staff who hasn’t been able to get much out of a roster that looks halfway decent. At least on paper.
Justin Fields will get first game without Matt Nagy
This is something a lot of people are interested to see. The Bears head coach is out for the game due to COVID. That means special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will be the acting head coach in this game. It also means offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will run the offense by himself. There will be zero oversight from Nagy. Some wonder if that added freedom might lead to some notable changes in how the offense operates.
If Justin Fields manages to play well? That could be confirmation that Nagy is indeed part of the greater problem. The 49ers’ health crisis should help improve the odds of this happening. One thing is certain. Chicago should be able to run the football in this game. San Francisco has the 20th ranked run defense in the league. Khalil Herbert just got done putting 100 yards on Tampa Bay, the best in the NFL.
Play action opportunities should be abundant for Fields.
One thing is clear. This will be a got-to-have-it game for the Bears. If they lose, they’re 3-5 and basically out of the playoff picture. Not only that but they face Pittsburgh and then Baltimore over the next three weeks. Two more pretty good defensive teams. If Fields can step up and deliver them a win, it will go a long way towards easing fans’ fears.