The Chicago Bears have yet to play a game in 2022. Their trial begins on Sunday afternoon. However, it appears good news is already coming their way. Star tight end George Kittle tweaked his groin this past week. His status for the opener is in doubt. Now NFL fans were treated to another revelation on opening night. They watched the defending champion Los Angeles Rams get pummeled by the Buffalo Bills.
It was an ugly night all around. Matthew Stafford threw three bad interceptions and got sacked seven times. They also barely cracked 50 yards rushing. Defensively wasn’t any better. Josh Allen did pretty much whatever he wanted, throwing three touchdowns and running for another. The 31-10 score was a sobering wakeup call for a team that seemed so confident they were ready to “run it back.”
So what does this have to do with the Bears? It is more evidence of how weak the NFC actually is. If its supposed best team looks that bad, then Chicago’s chances of making some noise aren’t so crazy.
Stefon Diggs is gonna give Jalen Ramsey NIGHTMARES 😲 #BillsMafia | #Kickoff2022
(🎥: @BuffaloBills) pic.twitter.com/OuKBtibeER
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 9, 2022
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
These @BuffaloBills are looking dangerous. #BillsMafia
📺: #BUFvsLAR on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LlxLdqcZb3 pic.twitter.com/rjdhzkgI3G— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2022
The Chicago Bears have no reason to fear the NFC.
Los Angeles will probably still be good enough to compete for the playoffs, but they aren’t the same team as last year. Tampa Bay got Tom Brady back, but his interest in playing appears to have sagged (and he’s 45). Philadelphia is talented with an iffy quarterback. The same goes for the Bears’ first opponent, the San Francisco 49ers. Green Bay has Aaron Rodgers but not Davante Adams. Nothing about the conference appears impossible.
This is not to say the Chicago Bears can make a surprise Super Bowl run. It is more about believing this team is maybe two or three unexpected wins from a wild card spot. Right now, most experts would agree they’re going to hover around six wins. If the NFC is as mediocre as it’s looking, it isn’t crazy to think they can steal three tight games against some of those “good” teams. In an expanded playoff bracket, a 9-8 record should be enough to get in.
Don’t write this team off too early.
