After delivering their fans an early Christmas present in Week 16, the Atlanta Falcons (7-8) will go for their second straight win this Sunday against the Chicago Bears (6-9).
The Falcons are still alive in the battle for the NFC South, but they need a win in the Windy City to stay in the playoff hunt. To help us preview Sunday’s New Year’s Eve matchup, we went behind enemy lines with Alyssa Barbieri, the managing editor of Bears Wire.
1
The Bears have won 3 out of 4. What's gone right over the last month?
This season has felt like two separate acts. Chicago didn’t look like they were going to win more than three games after an 0-4 start, where the defense couldn’t stop anyone and the offense struggled to find a rhythm. And when they established leads, they would blow them (something they’re still doing). The addition of Montez Sweat really was the jumping off point for this second act. His impact on the defense has been nothing short of extraordinary (shocking what the presence of a stud pass rusher will do, huh?) When the offense has stumbled, the defense has risen to the occasion. Justin Fields has improved since his return from a right thumb injury, where his chemistry with DJ Moore has made the pair one of the NFL’s best duos.
2
What are you expecting to happen with Justin Fields?
My gut is telling me, if the Bears land the No. 1 pick, that they’re going to draft Caleb Williams and trade Fields. It’d be difficult for GM Ryan Poles to pass up a quarterback – especially one of Williams’ caliber – with the top selection two years straight. The pros to trading Fields are landing draft capital (whether it’s a second-rounder or package of picks) and getting a quarterback on a rookie deal to give the team salary cap flexibility. Not to mention, Williams has been hailed as a “generational talent,” and it’s hard to imagine Poles evaluating all quarterbacks (including Fields) and passing on the chance to land Williams. Ultimately, Poles will do what he believes is best to put this team in a position to contend for a championship.
3
What do you THINK should happen with Justin Fields?
Personally, I want the Bears to keep Fields and build around him rather than start over. Look, Williams could very well be a generational prospect, but that’s not guaranteed. The fact that Chicago doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to drafting or developing quarterbacks makes me weary of starting over when Fields has already shown he can be a dynamic playmaker on offense – he just needs some more help around him, in terms of more weapons and an innovative offensive playcaller. While they wouldn’t be getting a quarterback on a rookie deal, they wouldn’t have to commit to Fields for a couple more years (with one more year on his contract and the fifth-year option on the table). So if he’s not the guy, then they can move on without being financially strapped to him. The Bears are more than a quarterback away from being a contender. So if they land the first overall pick, trade it and use it to acquire additional draft capital to address needs across the roster.
4
What do the Bears do well on defense?
If you would’ve asked me this question before the addition of Montez Sweat, I would’ve said nothing. Well, not nothing. They’ve been a top-five run defense all season, which was a focal point in the offseason after being among the worst. But the addition of Sweat has completely transformed this Chicago defense from one of the worst into one of the best. The Bears do a good job of generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, they’ve been takeaway machines because of said pressure (14 since Week 9), they’re still solid against the run and they have a young, ascending secondary that’s finding its confidence.
5
5. Final score/game prediction?
History tells us this will be a close game, as six of the previous nine matchups have been decided by one score. I’m picking Fields to lead the Bears to a close win in what could be his final home game with the team. Bears 23, Falcons 16.
