The Chicago Bears are hoping to produce their first three-game winning streak since December of 2020 on Sunday. That will require taking down a tough 8-5 Cleveland Browns team boasting the #1 defense in the NFL. Yet that hasn’t been the story all week. Not even the unexpected resurgence of Joe Flacco at quarterback. It has been the unprecedented number of injuries the Browns have suffered. They were already down starting tackles Jedrick Willis and Dawand Jones for the rest of the season. Now, a new report revealed that center Ethan Pocic will also miss the game due to a neck stinger.
That means Cleveland will boast only two healthy offensive linemen against the Bears. Not a great prospect for the largely immobile Flacco. This doesn’t even include the losses on defense. Starting safety Grant Delpit is out until the playoffs, at least. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, one of their best pass rushers, is also out. Star cornerback Denzel Ward is questionable for the game with an ongoing ailment of his own. While they remain a dangerous team, the Bears aren’t getting them at their best.
One of the biggest developments of the past month for them has been their improved play up front. The offensive line is protecting better and still opening running lanes. Cleveland is 11th against the run but has been more vulnerable to it in recent weeks. It’s the Bears’ defensive line that has really taken a step forward. The arrival of defensive end Montez Sweat has completely changed things. They’ve been getting to the quarterback much more frequently, which, in turn, has led to more takeaways.
This game is far more winnable than people think. It isn’t a gimme, but the Chicago Bears are in a great position to extend their win streak if they play at the same level they did against Detroit. They are the healthier team and have some significant matchup advantages. Then again, we’ve said that before. This team tends to disappoint once expectations are raised. Seeing how they respond now that they can’t hide behind the veil of being doubted will be interesting.
