The Chicago Bears confirmed they will start Justin Fields at quarterback Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter who they would have picked. If anything, it might benefit the Packers that Fields is starting over Andy Dalton. Of course, no victory is guaranteed. But there is a reason the Packers have a -700 moneyline this week. If you aren’t into betting, Vegas is basically saying Green Bay is going to win, so bet on the Bears if you want to take a long shot on some upset money.
The Packers sit atop the NFC North at 9-3 as the only team in the division above .500. The Detroit Lions just got their first victory over the second-place Minnesota Vikings. At 4-8, the Bears’ season is all but finished. A Vikings loss this week and a Packers win would mean that Green Bay has clinched the division before Week 15.
Chicago’s defense is decent but injury-riddled, much like Green Bay’s. The difference is the depth. While the Packers have thrived on “next man up,” Chicago has not been able to call up successful reserves. And, bad news for the Bears, cornerback Jaire Alexander is back at practice this week. Chicago is just lucky that David Bakhtiari and Za’Darius Smith are still a few weeks away from getting back onto the field.
And while their running game is decent, it doesn’t really matter if Fields or Dalton is under center on Sunday night. The Bears still have a QB problem. Let’s quickly break down their season stats so far.
Justin Fields
At best, it’s been an up-and-down rookie season for Fields. He has played in ten games this year and started eight of those. He is 115 of 198 for 1,361 yards. So far, he’s thrown four touchdowns, rushed for two more, and thrown eight interceptions. Fields has been sacked 31 times, fumbled it nine times, and lost three of those fumbles.
That is a lot of sacks for a rookie QB to take. The Cleveland Browns were responsible for nine of those 31 sacks during Week 3. And we haven’t even gotten to Andy Dalton’s stats.
Fields’ best outing was probably Week 8. Fields was 19 for 27 for 175 yards in a game where the Bears lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 33-22. He had a passing and rushing touchdown, one interception, and was sacked four times.
There is no question that Fields is a talented quarterback. Mac Jones is getting all of the attention with the New England Patriots’ recent success, but Fields shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s evident his offensive line is not helping protect him. Will a new head coach next year help? Bears fans can only hope. Packers fans should hope that Chicago can’t get their act together because Fields still has a chance to be a dangerous opponent for the next decade. But right now, he’s just doing his best during a stressful first season in the NFL.
Fields has been nothing but great off the field and deserves the chance to compete. It just won’t be this year.
Andy Dalton
The 34-year-old signed a 1-year, $10 million contract in March before the Bears drafted Fields. He has played in six games this year and started four. Dalton is 98 for 153 for 1,107 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions. Four of those interceptions were from this past weekend against the Arizona Cardinals. Dalton has been sacked nine times, putting their team total at 40.
Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 41 times in the past two seasons combined.
The last time Dalton even faced the Packers was back in September of 2017. The Cincinnati Bengals lost that game 27-24. Andy had a pretty decent game, though, going 21 for 27 with two touchdowns. The Packers won in overtime and left the Bengals 0-3 to start the year. Jordy Nelson had two touchdowns, Geronimo Allison had six receptions for 122 yards, and Ty Montgomery was the starting running back. What a weird time in Packers history.
There is very little chance Dalton plays this Sunday unless Fields gets benched or re-injured. The rookie quarterback just missed two games due to cracked ribs, which I can’t imagine to be fun. And with this year’s Packers defense, you could very well see Dalton in the game if Green Bay brings enough pressure. Fields has already been sacked way too many times.
Something To Play For
Technically, the Bears are still in the hunt for a wild card spot. Their head coach is fighting for his job. Not to mention, Aaron Rodgers is still battling a toe injury. It’s just that this is an excellent Green Bay Packers team, and the Bears aren’t at their level right now. Thanks to Chicago’s long-time quarterback problem, it’s been that way for most of the past decade. Justin Fields is great, but they will still have a quarterback problem if they keep the same staff around him during his career.
When it comes down to it, the Packers should win, whether it’s Fields or Dalton under center. A below-average offensive line, a backfield full of nagging injuries, and a head coach hanging by a string is not a good combination to bring to Lambeau Field after a winter storm is projected to hit. It’s almost a perfect game for the Packers to be playing in while many key players continue to heal and hopefully return soon.
