The Chicago Bears don’t need to apologize for finding a way to win. There is no question their passing game is a mess. Justin Fields looks lost. Yet that doesn’t change the fact this team found a way to reach 2-1 regardless. Several players contributed to the tough win over the Houston Texans, but they all took a back seat to Roquan Smith. A week after one of the worst performances of his career, the young linebacker delivered arguably his best.
It was a splendid four quarters of football from #58. He finished with 16 tackles (a career-high), two tackles for a loss, and an absolutely clutch interception with under two minutes to play that set up the Bears’ game-winning field goal. One of those tackles for a loss also held Houston to a field goal despite being inside the 5-yard line. Facts are fact. The Bears don’t win that game without Smith doing what he did.
Roquan Smith seems to have figured out his new position.
Going from a 3-4 inside linebacker to a 4-3 outside linebacker isn’t easy. It can be an adjustment period for many. Some never fully grasp it. Smith struggled through the first two weeks. He was out of position too often and seemed too conservation in attacking gaps. That changed on Sunday. He was attacking from the start, and Houston had no answers for him on the ground or through the air. It was the kind of performance that he needed to reach that elusive $100 million plateau for a new contract.
There are still 14 games left to go, but Roquan Smith seems to have found his footing after a frustrating summer. The Bears are thrilled to have him back in his usual form. If this trend holds, they won’t have any problems handing him that contract when the off-season arrives. One can only hope games like that aren’t needed every week for the Bears to win. Then again, it’s not like this is anything new.
Fields was bad but he has 3 starts in this offense. Getsy is still learning on the job. Fields is getting tripped by his own RBs and Olinemen. He can’t trust the pass protection yet. This is what Trubs looked like before the all cylinders Tampa Bay game when he broke out. Fields needs a game like that. He’s got talent. If he keeps working it will start to show up. This is not an easy offense to learn and then execute. He’s still thinking way too much. Try to remember that this team was picked to win 1-2 games.
Smith finally forced a turn over woot woot
Fields is an absolute bust. He has no pocket awareness, and cannot go through his progressions. This seems to be a trend with Ohio State QB’s. These guys do not have to be aware of pass rush or have a count in their heads, as they have superior talent all around them. I truly feel bad for Fields, because it is not his fault that the Bears drafted him higher than he deserved. He is a career back up QB at best, and likely a starter in Canada.
I never understand how we fail to look at the facts the OLINE gets bullied. He never gets a chance to get into a rhythm at all. The first game terrible weather and at Green Bay we throw 11 times. Since 2008 we have been getting beat by Rodgers. NFL teams now throw the ball and we do not. Look at the offensive minds the Bears have invested in. Straight trash.
Are the Bears the worst 2-1 team in the history of the NFL? No disguising it — Fields sucks. Another winner from Ryan Pace who loved to give away draft capital for bad QBs. Poles inherited a mess and the worst thing this awful team can do is win games. High draft picks are what are needed; not a few wins sprinkled here and there to cover up the stink of this team. And let’s not overreact to Smith. Geezus. Davis Mills is just about as bad as Fields. But at least Smith was covering someone for a change.