Heading into the 2019 season, the Chicago Bears were considered a playoff contender.
This is a team that returns 10 starters on defense, including three All-Pros in Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson and Kyle Fuller, as well as an offense entering its second season that was supposed to establish its identity.
Week 1’s 10-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers did little to inspire confidence that this Bears team can replicate its success from a season ago, at least on the offensive side of the ball.
There were some pressing concerns on offense, including how the unit was unable to find any rhythm throughout the game. Matt Nagy’s play calling was suspect, including a pass-to-run ratio of 53-to-12 which did little to help his quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who struggled mightily and failed to show that he had taken a step forward since last year’s playoff loss.
While the offense looked like it regressed, the defense picked up right where it left off. Chicago held Aaron Rodgers to just 10 points and put the Bears in a position to win. They sacked Rodgers five times, including two from Leonard Floyd.
It’s easy to overreact to the first week of the season, but the concerns on offense are valid. Will the offense fix their issues? Can Chicago’s dominant defense carry them?
What do you think? Are the Bears still a playoff team?
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