The good: The Bears can nonetheless end with a .500 report and finish a disappointing season on a excessive be aware.
The unhealthy: After opening the season with Super Bowl aspirations, the Bears will end in third place within the NFC North.
The ugly: The complete season has been nothing however ugly and irritating for the gamers, coaches and followers.
Let’s get to it …
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Offense: What’s the plan for 2020?
The Bears’ offense has offered one disappointment after one other this season. From coach Matt Nagy’s play-calling to the efficiency of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. But a complete upheaval is unlikely to create any enchancment subsequent season, so the Bears in all probability want to stay with Trubisky.
General supervisor Ryan Pace, although, could be one other story.
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In nearly 5 seasons beneath GM Ryan Pace, the Bears are tied with the Dolphins for the eighth-worst report within the NFL at 33-46. The Bears are additionally one in every of 13 groups that hasn’t received a playoff recreation throughout his tenure. A victory Sunday would give coach Matt Nagy win No. 20, which might surpass George Halas (19, 1920-21) for essentially the most wins by a Bears head coach in his first two seasons With one recreation left, WR Allen Robinson wants one catch to succeed in 90 for the season, which has been achieved solely seven instances in Bears historical past. He additionally wants 124 yards to succeed in 1,200, a feat achieved solely six instances in franchise historical past. Defense: Steady as she goes
While the Bears will spend the offseason reassessing the offense, defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano and his employees determine to have fewer offseason inquiries to take care of.
The Bears haven’t been dominant sufficient to make Pagano an alluring head-coaching candidate, significantly in a league with a determined offensive inclination. Including coaches, the Bears will return a protection in 2020 that appears quite a bit like this season’s.
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Only 4 groups are permitting fewer than the Bears’ 18.6 factors per recreation this season, and solely 5 are yielding fewer than their 5.04 yards per play. But their 16 takeaways are tied for 25th within the league. LB Khalil Mack has 21.zero sacks because the begin of final season, which is essentially the most by a Bears participant in his first two years with the group. Richard Dent held the earlier mark with 20.5 in his first two seasons from 1983-84 Special groups: No extra kicker circus
Last offseason’s collective hand-wringing targeted across the kicking recreation. That shouldn’t be the case this offseason after kicker Eddy Pineiro obtained a vote of confidence from coach Matt Nagy.
“I think we’re in a good place with him right now,” Nagy mentioned of Pineiro. “I think if there’s one storyline that we take out of this [it’s that] kickers are going to have some tough times, not only kicking at Soldier Field, but just the kicking world in general.”
“I like what he has done all year long,” Nagy mentioned.
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Pineiro is 19-for-24 on area targets, rating 21st within the NFL at 79.2 %. He is beneath contract for $660,000 subsequent season, and the Bears appear intent on sticking with him. Punter Pat O’Donnell is second within the NFL with 78 punts this season (the Jets’ Lachlan Edwards is tops with 82). But O’Donnell is 23rd with a 44.6-yard common. What they’re saying Despite Monday evening’s loss to the Packers, the Vikings — who’re locked into the No. 6 seed for the NFC playoffs — are feeling assured about their postseason possibilities. With plenty of gamers coping with accidents and their playoff place set, the Vikings may determine to relaxation a few of their regulars. From our notebooks Our consultants make their Bears-Vikings predictions. Offensive miscues have examined Matt Nagy’s positivity, writes Mark Potash. Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski confirmed plenty of promise together with his efficiency rather than Roquan Smith in Week four in opposition to the Vikings and in seven video games rather than Danny Trevathan. The Bears and Vikings are assembly for the 118th time in…
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