Useless predictions: 2023 Week 2 picks

    Well damn I did ok on the spreads but the O/Us killed my predictions, welp that's life. A lot of sloppy games as predicted and many surprise results, just what the fist week of the season is all about. On to next week.

Las week: 2-13 (13%)

Chargers (-2.5) at Tennessee    (O45.5)

   The Titans really struggled against the Saints defense, they might find it easier against the Chargers if Joey Bosa doesn't go, but I'm counting on the Chargers offense to light it up even without Austin Ekeler, still the Chargers could find a way to shoot themselves in the foot like they have done many times under coach Brandon Staley.

Raiders at Buffalo (-7.5)    (O47)

   I believe this week will be a bounce back week for some teams that got the other side of the upset. The Bills should dominate against an average Raiders that still be without Chandler Jones.

Packers at Atlanta (-3)    (U40.5)

   This should be a battle of defenses, the Packers will have to count even more in Jordan Love with Aaron Jones out for this one, the Falcons can control the clock with its high powered run game.

Ravens at Cincinnati (-3)    (U45.5)

   The Ravens didn't wait long to start their annual injury extravaganza, this is the chance the Bengals need to bounce back to playoff form.

Bears (+2.5) at Tampa Bay     (O41)

   Im going homer for just one more game, the Bears need to show some pulse and beat this Bucs team to pave some kind of road to their rebuild, Bucs wont make it easy with they blitz heavy front seven, both missing corner help can make this a crazy sloppy aerial attack.

Chiefs (-3) at Jacksonville    (O50.5)

   The Chiefs are getting back what they missed a lot against Detroit, Chris Jones to man the middle of the defense and Travis Kelce to provide Patrick Mahomes with dependable hands against a solid Jaguars team.

Colts at Houston (EVEN)    (U40)

   Counting on the Texans front 4 to make Anthony Richardson's day a bit to though to handle.

Seahawks at Detroit (-4.5)    (U47)

   OK so the Seahawks aren't all that and they go against Aidan Hutchinson and the Lions on their turf without their two starting tackles, that is not a good combination.

Giants (-4) at Arizona    (U39.5)

   The Giants can be THAT bad right? the Cardinals aren't THAT bad? The Giants need this one more.

49ers (-7) at LA Rams    (O45)

   The Rams had a great game against Seattle, they looked competent, but so did the niners, they looks unstoppable to a Steelers team that showed promise as a solid team. 

Jets (+8.5) at Dallas     (U38.5)

   The Cowboys can beat the New Jersey teams teams back to back, they probably will but the Jets might not get blasted like their cousins. 

Commanders (+4) at Denver    (U38.5)

   I cant believe the Broncos are still stuck in purgatory, the Commanders almost lost to Arizona but its still a wait and see if it was because the Cardinals are not all bad. 

Dolphins (-2.5) at New England    (O46.5)

   The Patriots can be a legit playoff team if they keep it up, unfortunately they are in a stacked division and Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill are looking unstoppable. 

Saints  at Carolina (+3)   (39.5)

   This one might be a close game, the Panthers looked good on defense and the Saints struggled against a good Titans defense.

Browns (-2.5) at Pittsburgh    (U38.5)

   The Browns might be for real finally, the Steelers where embraced at home, need to see it to believe this team isn't in a funk starting this season. 

W1vsGB: This wasn't it

    I was ready for a possible loss that Sunday, the end of the game didn't show possibilities, it showed that it wasn't just one man that owns this franchise, its a team. The Packers are a solid unit but the Bears weren't supposed to look as awful as they did, they failed as players, as coaches, as individuals and as a team, it was purely a soul taking loss, and its back to the drawing board.

   Offensively it was bleak, there was too little to be cheerful about but not everything was wrong, they had a pair of good drives but penalties and the freaking execution on screen plays killed any rhythm they could have created and showed all the wrong things about this team. The Oline struggled and that was no surprise against a very staked Packers Dline, rookie Darnell Wright played as many thought a rookie would play, on the other side Braxton Jones just made to many penalties which was one thing last years team limited very well. Cody Whitehair and Nate Davis (with all his personal baggage) played an OK game, Lucas Patrick struggled, he just isn't strong enough to hold the anchor spot against experienced/powerful NTs. Luke Getsy tried to replicate the small sample of success he got calling screen plays with the starters in the preseason, on this game it was a mess and it was because of bad blocking by many but especially by Chase Claypool who had an awful game as a blocker, his bad rep makes it look like he just didn't try. Running backs and receivers didn't have much to show with the Oline struggling and Justin Field under siege most of the game, he never had a clean pocket but when he did have time and some space he just didn't throw it, it was so frustrating to see, one cant help but to think he isn't ready, he looked untrained or coached poorly at least to play in this system with this team, its infuriating to watch him go backwards in development as a QB.

Upside players: D.J. Moore did great once he got the ball, 2 for 2 was just inexplicable. Roschon Johnson can be a spark for this team with his type of play.

Downside players: A bit unfair But Darnell Wright just had to live the NFL experience. Cole Kmet and Claypool really need to step up as blockers. I didn't like Robert Tonyan in the preseason and didn't like him this game. Call me exaggerated or inpatient but this team needs to find a solution to sit Patrick for someone else or shuffle the line, would prefer to see Whitehair at center. Don't have the courage to put Fields here, but need to mention he didn't play well be it in part because of team performance overall and play calling, still he need to find his way to make throws to a better receiving situation with Moore and Mooney.

Defense showed more promise and that is really saying something when they get scored 38 points, the offense was that miserable. The Bears DL was hot or could against the run, or they stuffed them or they would get runs for 5+ yards a carry, so I was convinced the Packers would carve this defense with their run game, it really didn't happen so that's a plus. Looks like what really killed this defense was something basic, they are not coached well, the game plan was not meant for this squads talent, they are not ready to be called a team when they are still not on the same page and they call plays that don't place them in a winning position, case in point, this team cant rush for their lives, so why in all that is holy they didn't call blitzes on 3rd and long situations? Pro football reference has them calling 5 blitzes which puts them tied for the second least team to call blitzes in week one, this coaching staff was convicted that they could rush with only four for I don't know what reason. Its still a wait and see for this defense if they can gel enough to play better than average and for the coaches to get with the program. Alan Williams going through personal stuff is not ideal, if time is what he need its good to see him take it.

Upside players: Andrew Billings must be protected at all cost. 

Downside players: I'm just naming Rasheem Green here because I just don't know what makes him so special to still be on the team, but any edge rusher could be here.

   Bottom line, this teams is a long ways form being ready and I blame the coaches for most of it. One more game is needed to tell us more of this story that is the 2023 Chicago Bears, its just begun, it just started with the protagonist bleeding out and unconscious. The Bucs are a good second chance for the Bears, they are very similar to the Packers with a very good defense and wide receivers although their running game isn't as strong which should benefit the Bears defense. The Bucs are dealing with injuries in the defense and will play without corner Carlton Davis and rookie DL Calijah Kancey, Bears will go without nickel corners Kyler Gordon (IR) and Josh Blackwell, this opens the game to be an aerial assault for both teams which is what we need to see from Fields, the Bears need to challenge rookie corner Zyon McCollum who is no slouch at 6-4 200lbs and ran a 4.33 40, but he hasn't played much, Fields needs to let the ball go and trust his receiver will win. I predicted a loss to the Bucs at the beginning of the season because I presumed this team wasn't ready to win and sadly I was right, its winnable yes but most importantly they need to show they are building something resembling a competitive NFL team.

Useless predictions: 2023 Week 1 picks

   The NFL betting world starts with a rough one with the Lions upsetting the Chiefs, even I felt a bit sad form Mahomes but Vegas had to love it. Let see what other surprises we get this week with all the team trying to find their footing and showing us who they really are.

Last years record: 26-101 (20%) (spread+O/U)

49ers at Pittsburgh (+2)    (O41.5)

   Both are coming into this season with as solid teams as top contenders, their biggest questions they need to answer is if Kenny Pickett has what it takes and if the niners Oline can keep up. 

Cardinals at Washington (-7)    (U38)

   I expect the Commanders to be decently good with a solid defense and having success as an offense with Sam Howell at the helm. The Cardinals I expect them to be hot garbage even when Kyler Murray returns.

Titans (+3) at New Orleans    (O41.5)

   Both solid teams, the Titans have a good running unit and the Saints a good air group, both with a veteran QB leading them and solid pieces at defense, I will side with the Titans as I expect them to control the game with the run.

   Bucs (+4.5) at Minnesota    (O45.5)

   The Bucs will be what Baker Mayfield makes them be, so really improbable but there are not a bad team. The Vikings still have an offense to go toe to toe with any defense, I don't trust their defense.

Jaguars (-4.5) at Indianapolis    (U46)

   Anthony Richardson will be a very good QB, its going to take time. The Jaguars are finally an NFL team that can compete.

Bengals at Cleveland (+1.5)    (U47)

   The AFC North is loaded, the Browns have a great defense in paper, Joe Burrow might not be healthy enough to go against them through the whole game.

Texans at Baltimore (-9.5)    (O43.5)

   C.J. Stroud has a good team to work with but will take time, the Ravens are still a very good coached team and have Lamar Jackson happy.

Panthers (+3.5) at Atlanta    (U39.5)

   Another good situation for a rookie QB, Bryce Young has enough tools to learn to be a good NFL QB, on the other side I don't expect much from Desmond Ridder even if he has some freakishly talented offensive playmakers.

Packers at Chicago (-1.5)    (O41)

   A new era for this rivalry, right now it looks even in comparison to the last 25+ years before, the Bears have built a better team but still need to answer a lot of questions, the Packers are all eyes on Jordan Love if he can lead them to wins.

Raiders at Denver (-3)       (O43)

   Everybody is down on the Raiders to be one of the bottom of the barrel teams, they don't look all that bad but its a possibility with the questions surrounding Jimmy Garoppolos health, the Broncos upgraded in the preseason but nothing of that matters if Russell Wilson has reached its peak as is now regressing.

Dolphins at LA Chargers (-3)    (O51)

   Everyone has the same opinion that if Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy the Dolphins will go very far, they have the team to do so, having your LT injured doesn't help. The Chargers are a underperforming team, they have all they need to be a good contending team but they just get too much in their own way.

Eagles (-3.5) at New England    (O44.5)

   I get that the Patriots have a solid team but I don't get where this confidence of them beating the Eagles comes from, the Eagles are a powerhouse, every team can stumble and lose but I just done see what the Patriots have to make people think its a sure bet, I believe Mack Jones still need to prove himself he isn't just a field general and can make highlight plays when needed.

Rams at Seattle (-5)    (U46)

   the Rams, even with a good limited draft and some elite players on their roster, are in rebuild more while the Seahawks are one year removed from it although they are still missing some pieces, I'm still expecting the Seahawks to continue where they left of last season.

Cowboys at Giants (+3)    (O45)

   If not that the Cowboys are banged up at theri Oline, I would bet on them to win, they have a decent defense that is ramped up just because of Micah Parsons and the offense is solid. The giants defense can get the job done against anyone, I don't like the offense, they are going to need some nifty play calling from Brian Daboll to make this QB and his average wideouts to make plays and not leave it all to Saquon Barkley.

Bills (-2.5) at NY Jets    (O45.5)

   The Bills are champions of the regular season and still have the team to continue being it, the Jets are scary in paper, its still a wait and see if Aaron Rodgers can still pull BS plays from his hat.

2023 Useless predictions: Bears season record

  Last season I was too optimistic with that teams possibilities, although they were close to winning many games still the team wasn't what I expected them to be talent wise especially in the DLine. This time I will try to be a bit more strict, already I have doubts about the performance both lines will show this coming season but lest see how they go head to head with the opponents in paper.

VS PACKERS

   So frustrated that this game isn't as easy to win as it could be, the Packers have a solid team, there are pieces that still need to click from them to be considered good though, that in part is what makes me believe the Bears have a shot if not for the injuries the dealt with the last month. The Packers offense still needs Jordan Love to be better in sync with his young receiving core which is very talented but still need Love to be good enough for them to do damage, its a wait and see, in time the Packers along with its solid OLine and running attack can be good as the season progresses. The defense has dudes on it, they might be better at rushing the passer than stopping the run as of right now, the Bears have the RB group to pound any DLine but the bodies upfront have many questions to answer still. I can see this being a sloppy quassi shootout as I believe neither team is ready to play good football, I can easily see this one be defined by turnovers, this might be an edge for the Bears that prioritize in knocking the ball out, if Fields can help his OLine enough with his legs to get out of trouble and get the home crowd pressure Love, it might be enough to start the season with the right foot.

Probable outcome: Bears WIN first Packer season opener.

@ TAMPA BAY

   Tampa is not an easy place to win, offensively the Bucs need to get Baker Mayfield in sync with his crew, his career has been a rollercoaster. The Bears have a chance to show some pass rushing in this game against an average OLine to pressure Mayfield to some possible mistakes, that's if the Bears have a pass rush. Bucs defense has one of the best secondary's in the league, the rest of the defense has good talent. It might be too soon for the Bears to get into their groove this early in the season.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE because its too soon.

@ KANSAS CITY

   Watching the roster, I really don't see a power house of a team, I'm not saying its a bad team but there aren't a ton of star players to view it like a monster of a roster, it does thought, and its not debatable, a monster of a QB and that makes all of the difference. Playing Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead is gonna be tough, he will trust his reliable weapons and elevate the new ones to make defenses pay. 

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE to the freak.

VS BRONCOS

  I don't know how the Broncos managed to be so bad the previous year, they spent a lot this offseason upgrading an already good team on paper. They should be good this year, I don't know how Russell Wilson or the coaching staff can screw this up. I see a trend of really placing all the chips on secondary and just patch up the best DLine possible with what's left, the Bears will need to run the ball effectively to control the clock and have a chance, with how uncertain I am with this OLine I just cant see it happening.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE to a good roster.

@ WASHINGTON

   Speaking of uncertainty with the Oline and secondary trends, the Commander break the trend, this one can get ugly. The Commanders offense will be led by sophomore QB Sam Howell, he might have taken enough time to get in sync with his offense a bit better by this game but still its an offense the Bears should manage to stop more often than not. But what the Bears need to be focused on is the Commanders DLine which is stacked. still this might be a good matchup for the Bears if Fields can get rid of the ball quickly which sadly he isn't good at yet but if he can just connect it frequently with his playmakers I can see them doing ton of damage. 

Probable outcome: Bear pull out a WIN with a good game plan and execution. 

VS VIKINGS

   The Vikings are built to make points, the defense is a shell of what it once was, at this point of the season if the Bears haven't figured out how to score early and often, they will not be able to compete against this Vikings team, but in Fields I trust to find a way OLine be damned. The Bears defense was able to control them a year ago, the talent this year should get similar results.

Probable outcome: Bears snatch a WIN against rival.

VS RAIDERS

   Jimmy Garoppolo bores me, this means nothing to the chances of winning, his dink & dunk approach pisses me off because if done successfully it drains the defense and the Bears defense does not have the depth to keep up. Defensively though, the Raiders are very average, they have the pass rushers to make things interesting but other than that there are soft spots that can be targeted to punch the ball through and the Bears should have enough fire power to put points on the board as much as needed.

Probable outcome: Bears outscore for the WIN.

@ LA CHARGERS

   I would like to believe that there's a chance the Bears can outscore the Charges in this one, honestly there is, its just a matter of knowing if the Bears offense has improved to the point where Fields is conformable with the scheme and his receivers. Justin Herbert gets a new big weapon to play with in Quentin Johnston to go along with his other two big and fast receivers, behind a good OLine and Austin Ekeler to lead the run game, its going to be hard to go toe to toe with them.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE to a big offense.

@ NEW ORLEANS

   Playing in the Superdome is though, the Saints aren't that though but they are still average at worst, its really even in talent with the Bears roster but the Saints OLine looks better, so depending on who each team can count on on gameday injury wise can tip the balance either way, for now I will give this one to the Saints, they play tough and the home advantage is felt heavy by opponents.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE maybe.

VS PANTHERS

   Bryce Young really fell into a very good built team, he has a solid Oline and decent receivers to count on and improve his game, their defense isn't short on talent and has enough stars to control the scoreboard not go overboard for their offense. I do expect the Bears to be a better version of themselves at this point as well and be able to give Young some growing pains. This should be a great game and hopefully the Bears can improve their first round pick for next year. Problem is they play this game with 4 days of rest and coming off a game in New Orleans, so not much rest and little time to prepare if someone cant go, two away games back to back might be too much

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE by fatigue.

@ DETROIT

   The Lions have a good team, I believe that they would be good this year as well and have a shot at taking the division, watching the roster right now, I really thought they had more great players. I didn't give Jared Goff the respect he deserves now, Ill give him Kirk Cousins level of respect that should be enough. I wonder if he would be as good without the reliable wideouts he has? To be fair many would struggle, just not sure if he would be one of them. Regardless, if the offense is healthy they can control the game by air or land, they have the OLine to do it. The defense has pass rushers and once Brian Branch gets the hang of thing they will have a decent secondary. The Lions can Lion at any moment but this would only be wishful thinking.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE by Lions not Lioning.

@ MINNESOTA

   I'm gonna go with the split decision just because I cant consider de Bears as a contender yet, the Vikings have the offense to go with the best of them even if their defense could struggle.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE to Justin Jefferson.

BYE

We all lose a little.

VS LIONS

   I liked when the Bears had the Lions figured out because they were bad, I'm gonna miss those days, but its time that the Bears get as good and win because they are better.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE by bit kneecaps.

@ CLEVELAND

   The Browns were another team that looked unstoppable on paper but didn't translate to the field last season, but as I'm really basing these predictions solely on how a roster looks and past events, I don't think the Bears have enough to go into Cleveland and beat this team.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE by lack of dudes.

VS CARDINALS

   Tank team does not want to win.

Probable outcome: Bears WIN by default.

VS FALCONS

   I like the Falcons defense, but the offense with Desmond Ridder is a gamble, he really just needs to get rid of the ball to his playmakers which he has, but can he do it? He might have lost his spot to Taylor Heinicke by this date, who knows, I really don't see a difference.

Probable outcome: Bears WIN against lack of QB.

@ GREEN BAY

   Who made bigger strides as a team? which one found better chemistry with his receivers? which one is healthier? which one still has a chance at a playoff? As I'm predicting it the Bears are out of the playoffs and this is just another game.

Probable outcome: Bears LOSE but win better pick.

   As I said before, both lines worry me to death and it may be distracting me from how good Fields is going to be this year, because once more its all that matters, this team is not a finish product, its still young and it still in need of more bodies with high potential, just give me a good Justin Fields season, although that and a decent defense might just be enough to turn some of these loses into wins, which would be nice. 

My projected record is 6-11 but I cant imagine the Bears go lower than this without having major injuries to the roster, in the event of an improved team as the season progresses I could see them finishing 9-8 at best. Whatever let me have it, lets start the season already.

2023 Chicago Bears roster

    A week away from watching the Bears take the field to their first game of the new season, what did Ryan Poles and Co. manage to build for this years roster? With free agency signings all cooled down, preseason over, rosters cut down to 53 players, wavier claims made, practice squads filled and last minute trades done, I can say that this years Bears look, well pretty much average really, its better than last year but its still doesn't look made to compete in January, still there's plenty to look ahead for.

QB - Justin Fields, Tyler Bagent

   Bagent is a refreshing surprise to have as the rookie backup to Fields, an UDFA no less, he gave a very solid performance in this preseason and I agree he earned his spot on the roster to learn as much as he can from Fields and the coaching staff hopefully from the bench for the whole season, just having young promising talent at the QB positions is something the Bears have missed for decades along with a good starting QB which is what is expected form Fields form this season forward. Its finally time to see Fields develop to the elite QB many Bears fans believe he can be, Poles made the move of the offseason by acquiring D.J. Moore from the Panthers, giving Fields a true and much needed WR1 a la Stefon Diggs for Josh Allen in Buffalo, Moore is expected to continue showing how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands and not rely completely in his QB to throw him open, Moore shows good route running to separate from his defender, all Fields has to do it build a trust and place the ball in Moore's catch radius and let him do the rest. As a result I expect Fields to grow as a passer and get the confidence he needs to better his mental clock and understand what throws he can make by understanding what is open in the NFL.

RB - Khalil Herbert, D'Onta Forman, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, Khari Blasingame

   The Bears build a very good running back by committee group, if Hebert gets better as a pass blocker he will manage to take more snaps from the other guys, but Forman and Johnson are eager to help in that area and can pound the ball very well, both are excellent bruising backs to soften Dlines and are decent as short range receivers. Homer is no slouch but will be more counted on in special teams. Blasingame I though he might not be on the team due to the good play Robert Burns showed in preseason games, I was glad he was retained via practice squad because if Blasingame starts to underperform I want Burns called up quick.

WR - D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown, Velus Jones Jr., Tyler Scott, Trent Taylor

   Honestly, I felt a lot better about this group a few weeks ago than I do now, I have no problem with the starting trio of Moore, Mooney and Claypool which I believe are top 15 in the league, but the depth is not ideal, there isn't anyone that would make me feel at ease to keep the ship on course if either Moore or Mooney go down, not even Claypool. St. Brown and Velus are more valuable to special teams and as run blockers but are very average receivers, the verdict is still ongoing for Velus but has shown very little to have trust in him, Scott looks to be still learning the playbook which is reasonable, rookies rarely come out of the gate to really contribute on gameday in their first year. Poles gamble on Velus and Scott to be speedster WRs that can contribute as returners is not working as of now, there is still time but the lack of early contribution by both these guys is costing the Bears a roster spot given to newcomer Taylor just because of his experience as a return man, getting Taylor was important to have someone of trust for the job but needing him was not part of the plan. Hopefully either Velus or Scott can get things rolling making Taylor indispensable and have a roster spot for another skill group that needs the development. Right now, early as it may be for him to evaluate, Velus is in need to find his role on this team in a hurry.

TE - Cole Kmet, Robert Tonya, Marcedes Lewis

   Here's hoping Kmet can keep improving as he has done. I expect better play form Tonya than what I watched in the preseason which was not promising. Lewis I understand he was brought to be an extra blocker and decoy but hasn't performed on the field yet so its a wait and see if him on the field isn't a big tell for defenses. A bit light on the depth chart at this position and nothing on the practice squad to have in the loop so Im a bit concerned about this group.

OL - Braxton Jones, Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick, Nate Davis, Darnell Wright, Larry Borom, Ja'Tyre Carter, Dan Feeney

   One more year that I'm disappointed in Poles to not have this unit built to be at least a good group given his expertise by being himself a former Olineman and help build a good Oline in Kansas City. Injuries are not planed but teams try to prepare for them as best as possible, the Bears have this issue with Teven Jenkins, Doug Kramer, Patrick and Whitehair getting hurt in camp, all interior guys and three of them are the Center option for the team, this led to the trade for Feeney who I don't believe was brought to start but to get him ready with the playbook if ever he is needed at C/G if Jenkins cant return or someone else get injured. I expected Poles to go get one Center in this years draft and as of now the outcomes tell me he should have really considered picking one. This is not a unit that reflects confidence, Davis is believed to have some issues in camp either with coaches or health or both, add in the injuries that prevented the starting unit to even have one of the three preseason games to prep up, there's nothing that shows this group is ready to perform day one of the season, From want I have seen and heard that benefits Fields better when being pass protected is he can absorb Tackle mistakes or lost battles against EDGEs easier as long as the front three have control of the pocket, right now the Tackles are better set for success with Jones, Wright and Borom than the Guard an Center positions being banged up and have no continuity with the players getting to play one position, instead they have been forced to be shuffled around to make ends meet. Long story short, its going to take a while to know if the Oline will be good enough to protect Fields or succeed in the run game they want to play. Having Roy Mbaeteka stick around on the practice squad gives me a good feeling.

DL - DeMarcus Walker, Justin Jones, Andrew Billings, Yannick Ngakoue, Rasheem Green, Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, Dominic Robinson, Khalid Kareem

   It pains me that the Bears have issues on both sides of the line of scrimmage, I am a believer that the team starts with the QB and then you build inside out starting with the players nearest the LOS. This team looks to be built the other way around, I might me wrong and Poles and Co. are just one year away to fixing this team but its probably going to show awfully clear that right now it still has major holes. The pass rush is a mystery as of right now, Ngakoue and even teammate Kareem can be said got singed because of it and he hasn't played enough to show if he is enough to be at least a band aid, the other players for the EDGE position are more run defenders than rushers and the group might need this trait because of the interior group. Jones and Billings can get the job done but they cant play the whole game, enter the rookies which in all fairness they are rookies and will have to deal with the growing pains, how much will it take? How much help they can get by the EDGES and the revamped linebacker group brought this year to stop the run? they have a chance to make some mistakes and not cost the team some wins but can they limit them enough? Guess we will find out, both had some flashes in the preseason but also showed how raw they are with what this coaching staff want them to do. Having back Travis Bell on the practice squad is big news, he showed some good power in the preseason as a NT, would like to see more play from him in time.

LB - T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, Jack Sanborn, Noah Sewell, Dylan Cole

   There's talent in this group no doubt, Edwards is a thumper and will help the run defense a lot. Edmunds can move and has the size to be a menace in pass coverage, he looked shaky in run support in the preseason but it might be rust by not playing enough, hoping this is the case because in Buffalo he showed he can bring the pain to RBs. Sanborn and Sewell are good depth pieces. I like this group to help the DL get better. Good choice in bringing Micah Baskerville to the practice squad.

CB - Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Jones, Terrell Smith, Josh Blackwell

   I like what Stevenson brings to the field as a physical corner with good cover skills, he might be lacking top speed but he doesn't quit the play. I was impressed with Gordons willingness to throw his body to the ball carrier and being near the play to get the shots in, it will be awesome to see him do this consistently, clearly he could be the definition of the HITS principles Eberflus tries to install in his players. Jones, Blackwell and rookie Smith bring good depth to the group, luckily they will provide the line with an extra second or two to get to the QB though it would be even better If it was the other way around, some good pass rush that hurries bad throws I believe would result in more picks with these guys

S - Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, Quindell Johnson

   I would feel a lot better if Brisker was on the practice field more, seems he will be counted on in the upcoming game so hopefully he is good enough to go and has better understanding of the game plan. My worries with Jackson are time, he is very important to this defense and he is reaching an age that might result in a decrease of skill, the window appears to be opening for the Bears to be one of the elite teams, but if Jackson starts to regress in the upcoming years its going to be hard and a need to find someone else with his skill set, its still in the air what Hicks and newcomer Johnson are able to do if they have to sub in but don't believe is near what Jackson  brings to the defense.

K - Cairo Santos, P - Trenton Gil, LS - Patrick Scales

   Santos and Gil keep showing consistency and that is all you want from your kickers. I like Scales, he makes me laugh.

   Poles is waiting to see if the pieces are falling in place to be sure he has enough good players before going nuts in free agency and trades to build the best team possible, I get it, what really bugs me is that I cant feel confident this team can beat Green Bay in week one, its all up in the air, there's too many questions with the OL and DL to be sure that they can be competitive at best, seems they will have to rely on Fields once more to make magic happen and have a shot, last season this wasn't enough because the defense would break and let the others teams offense just run through them, this time they are more upgraded in all areas, it will be easier for this defense to maintain a lead rather than to give the offense the ball back for them to pull off a comeback because of the possible lack of run defense. One hopes that nearing November there are flashes of improvement and consistency of players in their primary roles, still what fans will have their eyes glued to is how Fields does on each and every play.