December 22, 2023: Week 16 Preview Cardinals at Bears

posted in: Bears | 0

Are you over that Cleveland loss yet? I guess I am… the busy Holiday season doesn’t allow us to slow down a bit… still need to pick up a couple things and finish wrapping, so yeah… the Bears choke act last Sunday, their 3rd such performance of this year, is in my rearview, and with it, the 2023 season. All that’s left to see is our final record and draft position for both of our 1st round picks. This season is over. Still, I will watch the games… well, if I can. The Christmas Eve tilt against the Cardinals is probably out, and the way I’m feeling, I think I’m OK with it.

I think the Bears are going to lose on Sunday. I know, Captain Obvious… but before last week’s debacle, I thought our home games against the Cards and Falcons would be Ws. Papa Vegas agrees pitting us as favorites in both matchups. It’s understandable… based on how our defense is playing and the fact that we’re at home, but in all honesty, the Bears shouldn’t be favored by 4 points over anybody. This is where the line sits currently vs Arizona. Now I try not to bet on the Bears too much because of my heart, and I try not to bet against them because of my heart, but if I’m not going to watch the game, would it be bad if I placed a wager on Arizona +4?

The Cardinals haven’t given up on the season. Kyler Murray has been decent since coming back. They upset the Steelers in Pittsburgh, although I guess that’s not saying much… except the Steelers defense is pretty stout. Losing to the Niners and Rams (nowadays) isn’t anything to be ashamed of… even the Texans. The Cardinals did beat the Falcons. I guess I’d put us in the same category as the Steelers and Falcons, and by that back of the napkin math, and the fact that the Bears playoff percentage is point zero something, and the fact that maybe now is the time to lock in OUR high draft pick, while Carolina hopefully doesn’t blow our golden ticket… the transition to 2024 is in full effect!

Final Score Prediction: Cardinals 27 Bears 16

Ace in the Hole: The fact that we have only 2 games left and this season will mercifully come to an end

Plenty of decisions to be made between now and then, but at this point, I don’t think winning or losing vs the Cardinals will factor in. Do the Bears know what they want to do with Fields and our QB situation going forward understanding the guys that are coming out and the picks we have at this point? I’ve preached winning games on the field this year is more important than our draft position, and until last week’s loss in Cleveland, I firmly believed that. Things have changed now. There is only one other game I want to win this season, and that win would double our win total for the year, grading the Bears 2023 season out as a C in my humble opinion. Not only that, a win on the final Sunday of the season will send us into the offseason with good vibes… an offseason of increased importance as the Bears finally try to turn this thing around for good. It didn’t happen this year… but there are pieces, things that I really like, and for the record, I think we stick with Fields (and sign Jaylon Johnson) and go from there… although check back with me next week… haha. Bear Down!!!

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