NFL Odds: What’s wrong with the Chicago Bears?

Veteran handicapper Cam Stewart is here to deliver a Ragin’ Redhead Rant on why the Chicago Bears are terrible so far this season.

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2022 Chicago Bears

Chicago had a historically bad season in 2022, losing 13 of their last 14 games to finish dead last in the NFL with a 3-14 record. The Bears set multiple dismal franchise records, including most losses in a single season (14) and longest losing streak (10). They also failed to win a game against a divisional opponent for only the third time ever following the 1969 and 2017 seasons.

Despite the team struggles, there was one positive sign of hope last year. Second-year quarterback Justin Fields had a breakout season, setting Chicago’s new single-season quarterback rushing yards record (1,143) while becoming just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. So, could Fields continue that success and help the team improve in 2023? Well…

2023 Chicago Bears

Here we are. We’re only two weeks into the NFL season and already the Bears are shaping up to be a bottom-feeder in the standings yet again. Chicago was blown out 38-20 at home in the season opener against Green Bay and they fell 27-17 in Tampa Bay last week. They failed to cover as 1.0-point favourites against the Packers and as 2.5-point underdogs against the Bucs.

A big part of the problem is a regressing Fields, who just doesn’t look capable of leading an elite offence in the NFL. Through two games, Fields has thrown two touchdowns and three interceptions while completing only 55 per cent of his pass attempts. Last week, he ran the ball four times for just three rushing yards, the lowest total since his rookie season.

Unfortunately for Bears fans, the problems don’t stop at Fields. Receiver Chase Claypool doesn’t seem to have any clue how this offence runs and didn’t make a single catch in Week 1. In fact, none of Chicago’s receivers look like they are on the same page with Fields. The offensive line has also been decimated, with starting guards Teven Jenkins and Braxton Jones both on the injured list and set to miss multiple games.

In short, with the way this offence is performing, be very careful about betting on the Bears to do anything remotely positive in 2023.