Robert Quinn has been on plenty of losing teams in his NFL career. While it’s not something to ever get used to, he understands how difficult it can be to turn around a season that looks dead in the water. It’s all about finding the right formula, getting hot at the right time, and catching a few lucky breaks. Is this even possible for the Chicago Bears?
After starting 5-1 this season, they’ve sunk to 5-5 after four consecutive losses. They boast the second-worst offense in the NFL, managing less than 16 points per game. Now both of their quarterbacks are coming off injuries, the offensive line is down two key starters, and the head coach benched himself as the play-caller. There just isn’t a lot to be optimistic about.
Quinn can be included in that.
The veteran pass rusher arrived with a lot of hype in March. He’d just racked up 11.5 sacks for Dallas last season. It was felt he offered that critical second edge presence opposite Khalil Mack that had been missing. After collecting a sack on his very first snap as a Bear, Quinn has been held sackless ever since. One of the longest droughts of his career.
Not great considering it took $70 million to get him. The man himself admitted it’s been frustrating during his recent press conference. Still, he’s not about to abandon hope. For himself or the Bears. He believes this team isn’t out of it yet. If they can just find a way to the postseason, then they have a chance.
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He even had a team comparison in mind to remind everybody it’s not over.
Robert Quinn referenced the 9-7 New York Giants team that beat the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl as reason for hope:
"As long as we get in, we got a chance." #Bears
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) November 25, 2020
Robert Quinn is right to sell hope but is it enough?
The 2011 Giants are considered the ultimate underdog story. They do reflect the Bears’ situation in a number of ways. They started their season red hot, going 6-2 through the first eight games. Then they fell off a cliff, dropping their next four games. It looked like the season was over, but a big win over division rival Dallas helped them grab three of their final four games to sneak into the playoffs.
From there, the momentum did the rest. They waded through the NFC and stunned the heavily favored New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. So yes. They do have some similarities to the Bears, but with one significant difference.
The quarterbacks.
One can easily say that 2011 was the best year Eli Manning ever had as a professional. He finished just shy of 5,000 yards with 29 touchdown passes. The guy was on top of his game and the Giants offense could score while it was their defense that consistently struggled. For the Bears, it’s the other way around. Their defense has carried them this year while the offense is being dragged behind.
Like it or not, it’s much harder to win in this league when the offense is the weaker side of the ball on a team. Robert Quinn has faith the Bears can get it figured out. Maybe they can. Their final six games aren’t impossible. Four of the six are against teams with losing records. Can they score point though?
Nobody can say. Recent evidence says no. Maybe a big win against a division rival on Sunday night can change the narrative.