Chicago Bears: 9 Observations heading into the toughest stretch of the schedule

The Chicago Bears must earn some national respect

3. If the Bears want respect then beat the Packers

The Chicago Bears could close the deal to gain respect both locally and nationally by beating the Packers in their first meeting of this season on November 29th in Green Bay. If the Bears can win two out of three games from the Rams, Saints and Titans they will gain respect with every win. Then they will be favored to beat the Vikings before going into their bye week.

I personally believe the Bears have a very good chance at beating the Rams and Saints. The Titans, however, have a lot of mismatch problems that could give the Bears big trouble. Winning three out of their next four games would set up one of the most highly anticipated Bears-Packers games in their long rivalry.

The Bears have probably earned more respect than has been given. However, the heavy doses of ugly throughout their first six games have made it understandably hard for a groundswell of respect to come their way. There is hope that the more Foles plays behind center for the Bears the less ugly their offense will look. The Bears offense has four more games and a bye week to clean things up so they can stake their claim to being the best team in the NFC North.

4. Can the no-huddle be the high-octane fuel that ignites the Chicago Bears offense?

Nick Foles got quite animated in a sideline talk with Coach Nagy during the Bucs game. Nick was not happy that Nagy made a substitution that foiled Nick’s plan to go no-huddle. Nick’s enthusiasm for the no-huddle offense could have long-term implications for this team. As it turns out, Foles was right about using the no-huddle on that play because Nagy’s play led to a sack and a 17-yard loss.

Juxtapose this with the Bears two and a half year search for an offensive identity under Coach Nagy. Taking a wide-angle view at the Bears problems on offense, regular use of the no-huddle could fix that side of the ball. Their offense goes through extended periods of complete stagnation. This also happens all too often at the most critical points of a game.

Smart football people have identified the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half as typically among the absolute most important junctures in a game. Using the no-huddle when time is running out at the end of the first half is the standard operating procedure. So how about the Bears also use the no-huddle at the beginning of the third quarter?

In 2020, the Bears offense has been abysmal at starting third quarters. Using the no-huddle like this could be pumping high octane fuel into the Bears offensive engine. They could also use the no-huddle after they have gone through a. particularly. pathetic three and outset of downs. Using the no-huddle in these ways could work but it still needs the offensive line to do its job and do it as well as it possibly can.