The Chicago Bears open their season at home against the rival Green Bay Packers. While it is just a week one game, the added division element, especially the Packers, makes this game feel much more like a must-win. With such an important game, who are the players on the Bears that will make or break the outcome?
3. Braxton Jones has a lot on his plate for the Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are relying on Braxton Jones in a big way. The former fifth-round pick is now entering his second NFL season, and he has started every game in his career. That is a great start, but the play has been up and down. Now, the team needs him to take a step forward.
This will be crucial for a few reasons. First, the Chicago Bears are shuffling their offensive line in a big way. Darnell Wright is a rookie, and Teven Jenkins is out, so center Cody Whitehair is moving back to left guard. The Bears need a stable force right now, and it has to be Braxton Jones, who has less questions than anyone entering the season.
Their right guard missed the entire preseason, and they are unsure about who will start at center. All of a sudden it looks like Jones is the most trusted starter on the line. More than that, the Green Bay Packers have a notable pass rush, led by Rashan Gary. When Gary is at his best, he is one of the best rushers in the NFL. However, he is coming back from an ACL injury and may not be at his best.
Still, beyond Gary, Jones will be seeing a heavy dose of Preston Smith, and rookie Lukas Van Ness. This matchup will show up whether Jones is ready to take that step, or if he cannot be a stable piece on an offensive line that is starting to develop some questions. Either way, all eyes have to be on his performance.
2. Will D.J. Moore build on his excellent preseason with the Chicago Bears?
It did not take long for the D.J. Moore hype train to take off. Moore had been praised all offseason for his work ethic and his ability to lead the Chicago Bears wide receiver room. Then, in the preseason, it took just one catch to understand what he could bring on the field.
Moore is a dynamic weapon, and he can change games. Fans are hoping it can be similar to A.J. Brown being added to Jalen Hurts. We will find out early into week one if Moore can have that type of impact. He will be a must-watch, but he also will have one of the biggest matchups of the weekend, so the entire matchup will be under the spotlight.
Moore should be followed by Jaire Alexander. Alexander has no issues playing either side or sliding into the slot, so it would make sense for him to take on Moore wherever he lined up. That is a big jump up from the preseason. Alexander is perennially viewed as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
Still, if D.J. Moore beats Jaire Alexander and continues to have a huge game, it is probably a sign that this will continue all season. If he struggles, we have to wonder just how high he can raise the floor in Chicago. There will not be many matchups as fun to watch all weekend.
1. Justin Fields is obvious game changer for the Chicago Bears
This one is pretty obvious. It would be quite hard to get through a list of the must-watch players and not include Justin Fields. Yes, the quarterback is always a must-watch, and we do watch them every play, so this is not too creative. However, for Fields, this game is important for him.
Fields has to show that he can take that step into being a much better quarterback. No one denies his athletic upside, but we need a more complete game now. Fans remember vividly watching Mitch Trubisky get picked off by Adrian Amos when the Packers said they just had to make Trubisky play quarterback.
Will we see a similar event this week? Or, will the Packers force Fields to play quarterback, only to learn that he is ready to take that next step? The Green Bay Packers are the division rival and often led this division. More than that, they are expected to win with their defense this season, So if Fields plays well against this defense, it would go a long way. If he struggles, it may be more of the same. This will be important to follow under the spotlight.