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My untrained eye says he's been much better than average run blocking. He's not a good pass blocker right now, but he's not a disaster either. I don' think he's had any game as bad as Borom looked against Judon (or Week 18 last year vs Minnesota). But he seems to really struggle when everyone knows the Bears have to pass. He's helped out by play action and RPOs and TEs chipping, but when the Bears are behind DEs can tee off on him, especially if they have a spy or the other end containing Fields.

He was dropped in my work (money) league the week that he blew up. I started him vs. NE because Brady was my QB and he made me angry (started Mariota over him previously). Then I didn't start Fields because I expected a rough game vs. Dallas. But he is singlehandedly taking me from a team that was 2-5, to a playoff spot now and favored to upset the #1 team next week and potentially pull into 2nd place overall at 6-5 if I win and the 2nd place team loses. My point total is near the top of the league now and I'm still getting nothing from the WR/TE positions.

I too, like others have said, am pissed about the loss. Having later draft picks hasn't stopped perennial contenders from perennially contending. While, I'd love to pick top 3 and have a team give the Bears a king's ransom for one of the top QBs, I want to win. I want Justin to win. He deserves to win. I mentioned this in the thread, during the game, but dude is as close to single-handedly putting up numbers. The Bears are the highest scoring team in the NFL over the last 4 weeks. 31 points per game. 29+ in every single game in the last 4. And we can give credit to Getsy, Kmet for being a vital receiver, the OL for holding up the few times that they do....but this is ALL Justin horsefeathering Fields. Obviously, he's a record breaking runner of the ball, but it's not because of this masterful scheme Getsy is calling (he is calling the game well, though). But Justin is just the best athlete on the field. He's getting the edge against guys playing contain. He's breaking tackles of 300lb linemen. He's outrunning multiple guys spying on him with the specific intent of not letting him run the ball.....and he's still breaking off 60 yard TDs. On read options, he's holding DEs with his threat to run and RBs are running right past them for 8+ yard gains. The one drive that ended in the 1st Kmet TD, Fields was 4-4 for 53 yards. He held onto the ball all damn day. It's not because the OL did a great job. It's because the DEs were intentionally not getting up the field because Fields had torched them running the ball already (and this was before the 67 yard TD run). The drive after, Herbert ripped off 21 yards on 2 carries, then the threat of Fields running caused both safeties to come up and leave Kmet wide open on the opposite side. There is no answer for a player when he's playing like this. You try to stop the RBs, Fields beats you with his legs. You try to stop Fields' legs, the RBs gash the middle of the D. You try to keep Fields in the pocket, he'll stay there and rip you apart. You try to rush him, he breaks your tackle and either finds an open man or runs over your safety and takes him out of the game with a concussion. Justin Fields is literally a 1-man show at this point. Just imagine if find 1 or 2 more offensive players even remotely on his level? Just an adequate OL. Just 1 guy capable of making a play like Jefferson did for the Vikings yesterday (maybe not that play specifically, but you get the point). While I'm extremely frustrated to be the 1st team ever to lose 3 straight games with over 29 points, I'm extremely excited about what could be. They are extremely close. 5 of 7 losses are by 1 score. They aren't doing this like previously good Bears teams that get a special teams score, or a defensive score boosting up their PPG. They are scoring on offense for a change. And they are scoring almost exclusively because of the QB.

I'm guessing that the Lions coaching was on that referee about Johnson using his hands to the face all game. That was right by the Lions sideline. He had just called a hands to the face on Johnson the play before that as well. So pretty safe assumption that the coaches saw Johnson using his hands high and said something to that ref. And the ref saw hands high, WR hit the ground, assumed he got him in the face, and threw the flag. Even if that's true, in general, if one is hit in the face their head, their helmet would certainly snap back or, if Johnson got him in the throat. I'd think Benson' hands would have been reaching for his throat - don't see that either. Just terrible, if I'm the Bears staff, I pounce on the officials before, during and after the Atlanta game, constantly be in their ears to call what they SEE not what the other team' sideline is telling them to call. Obviously, it's a terrible call. But if the ref has any defense, he heard that "this guy uses hands to the face" and said guy just used hands to the face on the previous play (that was also a bad call, but he did make contact with the face on that one), then he sees hands contact a guy and him just drop, he probably assumed he hit him in the face or throat, even if he didn't actually see it. It's just like any other call, part of it is reactionary. Guys hold all the time, but the ref usually sees a defender flailing to get away from the hold. Or see a WR react before calling DPI. Or see Goff slide into the bench before calling a late hit out of bounds. They are human and assume certain things based on certain reactions. Which is why penalties should quickly be reviewed and some official be like, "nah, that's clean" or "hey that's not a clean play" and them pick up the flag or throw a flag when needed.

I'm guessing that the Lions coaching was on that referee about Johnson using his hands to the face all game. That was right by the Lions sideline. He had just called a hands to the face on Johnson the play before that as well. So pretty safe assumption that the coaches saw Johnson using his hands high and said something to that ref. And the ref saw hands high, WR hit the ground, assumed he got him in the face, and threw the flag.

So yeah, this is a symptom of having a team with no talent. Braxton Jones is probably going to be adequate. He has shown flashes, especially in the run game. He's struggled against some pretty good pass rushers. But yeah, he was absolutely handed the starting LT job when he wasn't ready for it. And he absolutely needs to get stronger in the weight room in the offseason. He should be a guy that's the weak link on a solid OL, instead he's 1 of 4 just like him. All the WRs are whatever. St. Brown is showing why he was WR5 for Green Bay. He should be an 8-10 snap a game type of WR. Pringle, I'm guessing to the nod over Harry and Velus yesterday because of his ability to play the slot. They've been kind of playing Mooney there a bunch, and it's not his ideal role. But none of those guys will be on the team next year, except Velus, and even that's in doubt if he can't be active with this current group. Sanborn played really well yesterday. But he's probably going to be a guy that's a SAM LB next year. He'll get rewarded for a solid end of this year and be considered a "starter" in the base defense, but in reality, he'll only play 20-30% of the snaps. He's good in run defense, and a liability vs the pass, so if he's on the field, you either have to blitz him or he'll be torched by TEs/RBs. They'll bring in 2 guys better than him this offseason.

He was on the injury report all week. And yeah, he did leave during one of the Detroit TD drives early in the game. So he wasn't 100%, but honestly, he's never been the best at covering guys running across the field. He's a boundary guy that uses the sidelines and plays well outside the numbers. But he's always been a guy that you can run away from on crossers or in-breaking routes. He doesn't have that type of turn and run ability.

One of those was his only "catch", which was basically a forward hand off.

I'm horsefeathering pissed. I shouldn't be. But I am. horsefeathers this horsefeathers. horsefeathering stolen game by punk ass refs

This is all Justin! Every non straight drop back passing yard, every rushing yard by the RBs. It's all about Justin. Running threat is opening holes for RBs. Running threat is keeping ends from rushing up the field and giving him time to throw. Running threat outside of the pocket is leaving guys wide open down the field. The defense has to spy with LBs and take 1 less person out of the coverage. That's 2 straight TD drives where it's 100% because of Fields simply existing. Previous drive, Lions didn't even try to get pressure and tried to make Fields throw it (and he did). This drive, guys are staying in lanes, coming up and leaving assignments. This is how you build an offense around your QB!

There's this high school freshman at a rival school near me, and he's one of the best freshmen in the nation. He single handedly beat our HS team and if he had any other players around him, they'd win state easily. That's how Fields is right now. He's not winning games, but the upside is unfathomable if this team just even gets like 2 players that can come close to his talent level on this offense. Also, how has Claypool have fewer snaps this game than he did last week? I've only noticed him out there like 2 plays.

LOL, it's pretty hilarious. ESPN and NFL Network are talking about the Bears in a positive light, not just after a primetime embarrassing loss. I've even seen some say the Bears can make a run at a playoff spot in a weak NFC. Obviously, the Bears and Fields himself have a long way to go. I think he'll have to show that he can put up big numbers thru the air before he will be universally regarded as "elite". But it's fun seeing everyone doing victory laps if they believed from the start, and eating crow if they thought like Mike Martz.

Yes. 6'6, 295, a year removed from a 5 sack season. Doesn't look like he has very good PFF grades the previous 3 years, but has a better grade this year when he's been given limited snaps. He was originally drafted for a 4-3 defense and may not be a great fit for the current defense in LA. Notre Dame guy, he'd have plenty of guys he knows on the team and be back in a familiar area of the country. The Bears are getting nothing from Pennel or Blackson this year, so it's 100% worth a shot.

Anyone trash talks the Bears on Twitter from now on and they're right (because the Bears suck), I'm just going to say, "Well my GM can beat up your GM!" Because that's probably right too. Them some big boys.

Lombardi must have the same view of Jackson and Hurts, no? Or it just blind everything the Bears do is dumb and will never work kind of stuff? Like are we still doing this? Josh Allen is on pace for a career high in rushing yards (pushing 800). Daniel Jones has more rushing yards per game than about 10 starting RBs. QBs have to be able to scramble these days. Brady, Rodgers are struggling without the ability to run around. Matt Ryan was literally killed because of his immobility. Jackson, Hurts, Murray were all "just RBs" until they put up MVP level seasons early in their careers. This opinion is stupid, outdated, and very likely racist.

1 1/2 games behind SF for the final wildcard spot, who the Bears have the H2H against. Of course, the Niners appear extremely likely to get better down the stretch. The AFC South winner will be terrible, but the most likely way a wildcard team gets in at 9-8 or 8-9 is if teams like Seattle or the Giants implode, and both are at least 3 games ahead in the loss column. Giants have a really tough schedule though. Seattle's one of the easiest on paper, but part of them collapsing would probably mean a couple losses to the Rams, who would then be in competition with a hot Bears team for that last spot. I felt like the no-call PI at the end of the Dolphins game kind of sealed the Bears fate. At this point I wouldn't feel confident that the Bears have any shot at the playoffs outside of running the table and going 11-6, or the Vikings losing Cousins for the season - soon. It's crazy how close the Bears are to an almost good season. Catching a punt, calling a DPI or 1/2 yard on 2 different plays from beating Washington. Non DPI call vs. Miami, maybe even win without the 4th down drop. Fumbles vs. Minnesota. QB sneak fail vs. GB almost made that a winnable game. Giants game was a winnable mess. I feel like if you switched the schedule with any 2 of WAS, GB, NYG to the last 2 weeks, instead had Miami and Dallas first 5 weeks, the Bears would be 5-4 right now.

1 1/2 games behind SF for the final wildcard spot, who the Bears have the H2H against. Of course, the Niners appear extremely likely to get better down the stretch. The AFC South winner will be terrible, but the most likely way a wildcard team gets in at 9-8 or 8-9 is if teams like Seattle or the Giants implode, and both are at least 3 games ahead in the loss column. Giants have a really tough schedule though. Seattle's one of the easiest on paper, but part of them collapsing would probably mean a couple losses to the Rams, who would then be in competition with a hot Bears team for that last spot.

Bears are on pace for 3 players with over 750 yards rushing this year, with the starting RB (and leader in carries) the only one not on pace for over 1100.

Yeah, I watched the JT O'Sullivan breakdown and he pointed out the Dolphins definitely clamped up the coverage after that first drive. He blamed lack of talent on the outside, but I honestly think it's tough in the NFL to get open just running straight against non-press coverage that you don't completely beat off the line. The Bears need to run rub routes and crossers to get guys open (everyone does) and it seems like there aren't enough of guys just beating their man.

Mentioned this in the Bears thread but I have Lamar Jackson and Justin Fields as my QB in one of my money leagues. PPR, 12 teams. Rest of the team is: RB- Aaron Jones, Cordarrelle Patterson, Rhamondre Stevenson, Josh Jacobs (board dictated RB heavy) WR- Devante Adams, Brandon Aiyuk, Amon Ra St. Brown,, Devin Duvernay, Alec Pierce TE- Kyle Pitts, Mike Gesicki Def/K- who cares Obviously, WR is my weak spot. Fields has been QB1 the last 4-5 weeks. I am 4-5, and would be in the last playoff spot based on points. But Fields has a final week of regular season bye, then has Buffalo and Philly in the fantasy playoffs. It is a keeper league where we keep 1 player and lose the pick in the round he was picked in previously, so Fields is potentially a great keeper (got him like 11th or 12th round). I want to trade Jackson, but do I actually trade Fields? He probably has more value to a team not in the playoff hunt and it saves me disappointment potentially in the playoffs (Jackson has Cleveland, Atlanta and Pittsburgh). My target right now is Jaylen Waddle, but Tee Higgins is likely also attainable from that same team.

I know, rushing record and all, but this game wasn't all a bunch of improvisational excellence. Fields did some great things as an actual QB, not just as a running QB. - The 11 yard screen to Claypool, looked like a check at the line. Fields saw off man coverage and signaled to Claypool to widen to create more space for him (who probably doesn't know many checks yet), got it to him 1-on-1 and he broke a tackle for a 1st down. Rodgers does this all day if you let him. - The TD to Kmet seems like an easy toss that was blocked well and Kmet made the run after catch. But that play worked because of the fake handoff. It was something they pointed out in camp that Rodgers did very well and Fields actually tried to do it early in the year and got sacked because the fake wasn't good enough. - Obviously the TD throw to Mooney was beautiful, but he read the beautiful route combination and hung in there and threw that ball with a guy in his face. There was another check to Mooney to go deep in the opposite endzone. It was well covered, and a non perfect throw, but loved the recognition. - Threw a dime on the DPI call Claypool did get early in the game. - Then there's the RPO stuff. Fields has misread some reads the last 2 years, actually been disappointing how much he has misread a concept he ran in college at the pro level. But he made the right read all day. That's not a throwing thing, but its something a QB these days has to be able to do well. Tua does it flawlessly which is why he's leading the league in passer rating.

That's just crazyI see what you did here.

Ha. I had assumed there was at least 1 offensive lineman in that group.

It's not really about the Lions. The Patriots game was unexpected and seemed a little fluke-y. Dallas was fun, but loss. Miami was fun, also a loss. But this is as expected a win that's left on the schedule. I want a preview of what a good offensive team should do to teams like the Lions. And that's how they should be bad teams going forward I understand that point, but I also want the Packers coach on the hot seat, their children eaten...etc Well, I do too, but I didn't mention the Packers, ya know....because they are irrelevant to the Bears at Lions gamethread.

It's not really about the Lions. The Patriots game was unexpected and seemed a little fluke-y. Dallas was fun, but loss. Miami was fun, also a loss. But this is as expected a win that's left on the schedule. I want a preview of what a good offensive team should do to teams like the Lions. And that's how they should be bad teams going forward