The Chicago Bears will host the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field on Sunday as the game has taken on an increased level of excitement following the acquisition of wide receiver Chase Claypool. Claypool joins a Bears offense that has averaged 31 points and 391 yards in their last two games. Although Chicago enters Sunday’s game with a 3-5 record, they have a chance to be over .500 by the end of November because of their potent offense.
The Bears’ Have Favorable Matchups Against Opponents With Weak Defenses In November
The Bears will play four games in November, with their toughest opponent being the Dolphins this Sunday. Miami has one of the best offenses in the league, as wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have combined for over 1,688 receiving yards. With general manager Ryan Poles trading defensive end Robert Quinn and linebacker Roquan Smith in the last week, Chicago’s defense could struggle significantly to stop Miami’s passing offense.
Dolphins QB coach Darrell Bevell, talking today about the timing of Miami’s offense and Tua’s deep ball, said this TD pass to Waddle “was about as good as the throws he's made so far.“ pic.twitter.com/npCLuzoyUs
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) November 3, 2022
Although Miami’s offense has been good, their defense has struggled at times, as they have allowed an opposing quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in half of their games this season. Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields has been explosive over the past three weeks as he has thrown and rushed for a touchdown in his last two starts while rushing for 60 yards or more in his three previous starts. It is unlikely that Chicago will win on Sunday, but if they do, it will be due in part to their surging offense.
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Following the Dolphins game, the Bears will play the Detroit Lions, who have only one win this season. The Lions traded their best offensive player earlier this week, tight end T.J. Hockenson, to the Minnesota Vikings and fired their defensive backs coach. Additionally, the team could fire head coach Dan Campbell if they lose to the Green Bay Packers Sunday. Detroits’ defense has been one of the worst defensive units in the NFL, as they have allowed 24 points or more in all of their games this season.
The #Lions are the worst defensive team in the league in EPA/play this year and the gap between them and 31 is the bigger than between 31 and 18th.
Detroit make the 2nd worst defense in the league look like just a mildly below average defense.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 2, 2022
On November 20th, the Bears will travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons, who are currently the NFC South Division leader. Although Atlanta is currently in first place, their defense has struggled significantly recently, allowing 35 points or more in their last two games. Despite the Falcons’ poor defense, they have a reliable rushing offense as they rank eighth in the league in rushing yards.
The final game Chicago will play in November will be the Sunday after Thanksgiving when they make their second trip to New York to play the Jets. Although the Jets have one of the best defenses in their league, their offense has struggled to generate points, especially after losing rookie running back Breece Hall to a season-ending injury. If the Bears’ rushing offense can control the game and score a few touchdowns, it could prove to be a difference, given the struggles of New York’s offense.
Zach Wilson threw 3 INTs so far today.
Trevor Lawrence threw a game ending INT with a loss.
Mac Jones is capable of being benched any moment.
Justin Fields is carrying the #Bears offense.
He is HIM
— Bears Nation (3-5) (@BearsNationCHI) October 30, 2022
Chicago’s Offense Has The Potential To Create Excitement In November
With a potential 3-1 record in the month, the Bears’ record would be 6-6 heading into December, which could lead to high excitement from Bears fans. The main reason the Bears have a chance in all four of these games is their league-best rushing offense which features Fields, David Montgomery, and Khalil Herbert. Other than the game against Miami, Chicago will have a favorable chance to win in their remaining games played in November.
7. #Bears wide receivers and tight ends now have a combined 8 dropped passes this season.
That ranks them 10th-worst in the NFL.
With all due respect to Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet, they are #2 options at their respective positions.
This team needs #1 guys. pic.twitter.com/q9B5JKdtkz
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) October 31, 2022
Although it will take time to get Claypool worked into Chicago’s passing offense, his presence will make a difference immediately. The former Steelers’ wide receiver’s greatest strength is his ability to get open downfield. Outside of Darnell Mooney, Fields has lacked a wide receiver who is reliable on downfield throws. Against the Cowboys, Velus Jones Jr and Equanimeous St. Brown couldn’t catch throws from their quarterback that would have resulted in completions of 30 yards or more.
Once Claypool is integrated into the Bears’ passing offense, Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet could generate more production due to a potential lack of coverage by opposing defenses. Kmet will benefit from having N’Keal Harry working in the slot position, as Harry has caught passes of 15 yards or more over the middle in Chicago’s last two games. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will be able to provide Fields will more effective passing options over the next few games.
What happens when the Bears deploy 11 personnel w/ Chase Claypool, N'Keal Harry and Darnell Mooney? Mooney: "That would make everybody dangerous. Just pick your poison (of) who you want to take away. We’ve got the big body guys out wide, I’m the little shifty guy in the middle; I
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) November 2, 2022
If Chicago can win most of their games in November, their offense will have to be the main reason why. The Bears’ offense has been playing well over the past few weeks and has a chance to get even better moving forward due to the addition of Claypool and other players returning from injury. Although the Bears are in a rebuilding season, they have a chance to be at or above .500 heading into December and be involved in the NFC Playoff picture.
Mooney, Claypool, Harry > Mooney, ESB, Pettis
You guys its coming around!
Not sure about AWOL Pringle
I like the optimism and it really would be an exciting finish for the Bears if they could win more games than people predicted. The trades have made the Bears a better team but they still will need to upgrade their offensive and defensive lines to become a real threat against the better teams.
Not that anyone cares about the Lions, but Hockenson is their fourth best offensive player and they’re getting Jameson Williams back soon.
on any given Sunday. Just so happens, they keep adding Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays.
@Dean That was an amazing trip down memory lane! I agree on the playoffs thought. But quoting Jim Mora was epic! As much as a 3-1 record in November would make the fanboy in me smile. 1-3 would help us more long term. Development from the whole team (not just JF1) would be great too. Highlight the kids and see where it goes. Maybe a few stick around long term as we ascend. This is strange season. I have hope, but low expectations. In the past, being a Bears fans has been an endless cycle of… Hope! CRUSHED! Hope! CRUSHED!… Read more »