Game Preview: Bears @ Bengals

What a year it has been for the Bears. Last week’s game was definitely in reach, but the Bears fell just short once again.

I don’t think that any team in any professional league would ever intentionally lose games as a way to earn a better draft pick. First of all, the fans would not be happy and the team could lose money from ticket sales, televised games, etc.

Secondly, just because a team has a number one overall pick in a draft does not mean they will draft the right player. There have been so many draft busts in all of sports it is ridiculous. It all comes down to great scouting and decision making. Admittedly, the Bears have had their share of both good and bad draft and free agent decision making, but now that they found their franchise quarterback, workhorse running back, and a defense that is a year or two away from being dominant, the time is now to solidify their place at the top of the NFC North for years to come.

After last week’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Bears were officially eliminated from the playoff race and will most likely finish dead last in the NFC North once again, although it is nice to see the Packers as the next closest team to us. The Bengals on the other hand, have no shred of doubt that the Cleveland Browns will be in the fourth spot of the AFC North. At this point, the Bengals are playing for pride and attempting to gain momentum going into next year by ending the 2017 season strong.

The Bengals have been hit hard by injuries as well. This upcoming week 14 game in Cincinnati, the Bengals will be playing without corner Adam “Pacman” Jones, linebacker Vontaze Burfict, running back Joe Mixon, and corner Dre’ Kirkpatrick, all due to concussions. Jordan Howard and the rest of the offense will be relieved they do not have to play against the ferocious Burfict. Joe Mixon has been on a role as of late, but the Bears will need to be on the lookout for Giovanni Bernard and A.J. Green as the Bengals offense will need to run through them.

The Bears played great football last week and didn’t allow a single touchdown. It was quite ironic that the ex-Bear Robbie Gould won the game for the 49ers scoring all 15 of their points. This will be another great opportunity for the defense to showcase what they have built themselves up to be. The Monsters of the Midway are back! If their defense can hold the Bengals offense to 10 or fewer points, I believe Mitchell Trubisky, Howard, Inman, and the rest of the cast have what it takes to defeat the Bengals on their own turf due to all of the defensive players that are injured as listed above. I smell a Bears win coming and I’m sure Trubisky will want to show out in his home state of Ohio.

SCORE PREDICTION:
Bears 17
Bengals 10