In Week 14, the Bears took a trip up to Wisconsin to face off against their most highly contested rivalry, the Green Bay Packers.
The Bears' rookies were present as usual, with Luther Burden III making his mark on the game as the top Bears receiver of the day. With the Bears' top wide receiver, Rome Odunze, out for the week with a foot injury, the chances increased.
Rookies step into the spotlight
Luther Burden wasn't just productive; he was the only consistent threat Chicago had through the air. Four catches with 67 yards doesn't sound explosive on paper, but in a passing game that managed just 4.9 yards per attempt, Burden was the only one to move the ball with any regularity. His route work and yards after catch ability kept multiple drives alive, and gave quarterback Caleb Williams a fighting chance in a game where the Bears had a desperate few.
Tight end Colston Loveland added to his usual reliability, catching four passes for 29 yards. He operated almost exclusively underneath, functioning as a safety valve when the pocket collapsed. Loveland may not have been a factor in the red zone this week, but he played his part in keeping the faltering Bears offense alive when they needed it.
On the ground, Kyle Monangai continued to show Chicago why he deserves their trust, combining with D'Andre Swift to form an impressive running back one-two punch. Monangai himself rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries, contributing to the 138 total yards of rushing offense created by the Bears. It was nothing explosive or flashy, but it helped stabilize an offense in trouble.
With the remainder of the schedule an NFC seeding mess, the Bears can take solace in the next winnable game vs the Browns. Chicago's rookies continue to show they can carry their fair share of the load, even when the rest of the roster wobbles.
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If the Bears can pair that development with sharper situational play, this group still has a path to finish the season strong.