Bears aiming for the top pick, chasing victory | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Magazine
In the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans on Sunday, Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent, right, fumbles as he is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis, 56.
They will have a better chance of landing the first overall choice in the draught if they defeat the Carolina Panthers.
It’s an odd position to be in, but that’s what the Bears are going into tonight’s game at Soldier Field. If they prevail, it would be a double victory.
This is because Carolina’s first-round draught choice for the upcoming season is owned by Chicago (2-7).
The goal is to reach 3-7, stated Teven Jenkins, a guard with the Bears. “That’s the only thing I’m worried about.”
After finishing with the worst record in the league, the Bears were selected first overall in the spring draught. They exchanged it for receiver DJ Moore from Carolina.
Chicago, with its own first-round pick, is vying for the top slot. However, Carolina is currently another route (1–7). Worse than Arizona (1–8) in terms of record.
Frank Reich, the coach of the Panthers, stated he hadn’t thought about the possible spoiler role or the draft’s ramifications.
“Very intriguing query,” he remarked. “I think that’s a good thing, but I never really gave it much attention. All that’s at stake here is winning the upcoming football match. One of the things I mentioned to the boys today was that, once you’re in this situation, you might want to go back and alter certain things that have happened. Somehow, you want to take a risk twice.
“Hey, let’s include everything in one game. Let’s give it our all. Take everything back! That’s not real life, though. The NFL is not like that in real life. That isn’t real life at all. You must deal with them one at a time.
There are more pressing issues for both clubs. Additionally, the quarterback spot is included in both.
Due to a dislocated right thumb, quarterback Justin Fields is questionable for Chicago. Tyson Bagent, a rookie, will therefore probably start for the fourth time in a row.
Fields is improving, though, according to Bears Coach Matt Eberflus. The accuracy is increasing. His throwing has improved. And he’s beginning to accomplish an increasing amount of things.
“So we’ll see it where it goes.”
Since dislocating his right thumb during a Week 6 loss to Minnesota, Fields has not participated in any games. After losing last week in New Orleans, the Bears are 1-2 with Bagent, an undrafted rookie from Shepherd University in West Virginia, starting for the team.
In Carolina’s loss to Indianapolis last week, rookie Bryce Young is trying to get over his worst performance as a professional.
MOORE OF THAT
Moore had the best game of his career the last time the Bears played on a Thursday night.
With three touchdowns and 230 yards, he set career highs in a Week 5 victory against Washington. He hasn’t had more than 55 yards in a game since then.
For the first time since a major trade in March, Moore will take on his old team. In this year’s draught, the Bears dropped eight spots and sent Carolina the first pick.
They also obtained the first-round selection (2024) of the Panthers.
Moore might be in for another exciting prime-time match. With C.J. Henderson (concussion) and Jaycee Horn (hamstring/IR) down this week, Carolina’s secondary is severely injured.
DEFENSIVE INJURIES
Throughout the season, injuries have beset Carolina’s defence, and after multiple more on Sunday, it comes into tonight’s game with an even thinner starting lineup.
Brian Burns, an outside linebacker, will not play versus Indianapolis due to a concussion.
Injuries have also reduced the depth at that position; Yetur Gross-Matos and Justin Houston are already on injured reserve.
With rookies DJ Johnson and Eku Leota and second-year player Amare Barno handling the work, the Panthers are left with a youthful outside linebacker group.
Starting cornerback C.J. Henderson, who, like Burns, is still undergoing the concussion protocol, is probably out for Carolina’s secondary. Jaycee Horn, the starting cornerback, has been out since Week 1 due to injury and is not yet ready to play again.
