NFC Game Of The Week
Chicago Bears at New York Giants
Bears: They’ve won ugly so far this season. It may have not been the best-looking effort, but it’s a win nonetheless. This is your typical football team that’s built to run the football and play good defense. They’ve done what I just listed fairly well on the year and even after their opening season win against the 49ers, I stated on the radio that for the Bears to be successful, this offense must be built around David Montgomery. Teams misunderstand the benefits of running the football, stop putting so much pressure on the young Quarterback. Next, I want to talk about the coach, Matt Eberflus. I understand it’s early, but I like him and what he brings to this team. The Bears haven’t had a coach who preaches toughness since Lovie Smith. That’s exactly what Matt brings to the table and he holds his players accountable, something Matt Nagy failed to do during his tenure as Head Coach. I believe Justin Fields can get right the ship and get this together. It all starts with coaching him and catering to his skill sets. Let him move the pocket, make plays with his feet and make those throws on the run. It’s also important for their receivers to create and get open. I can’t place the blame on Justin too much. They’ll start the month of October with a game in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Giants: In an early season with some surprises, this is 1 of them. The last few years have been a struggle for them. There was a lack of effort and discipline. I flat out saw them give up on each other. Under new Head Coach Brian Daboll, I see a different Giants team. This is a group that finishes games now. Those 2 victories they have under their belts are contests they let slip through their hands if this is under Joe Judge, Pat Shurmur, and Ben McAdoo. This is a team with a much better effort on display and you can tell they want to play for Brian. Another thing I’ve noticed is how they’re building this offense around Saquon Barkley. When he’s healthy, there’s not a doubt in my mind he isn’t a top 5 Running Back. Injuries have set him back these last few seasons. I felt they were expecting a little too much out of Daniel Jones in previous years. Luckily, he has an offensive-minded coach to help navigate him. You all saw what Brian was able to do for Josh Allen when he was the Bills’ Offensive Coordinator the last few years? I’m not implying Daniel will get to that level, but coaching does indeed make a difference. They’ll look to bounce back on Sunday with the Bears coming to town.
Bears X-Factor: Robert Quinn– He’s been a menace for opposing teams since signing with the Bears. During his days with the Rams, I thought he was 1 of the best pass rushers in the league. Robert has become a leader on this young defense and the players have followed him and his leadership.
Giants X-Factor: Dexter Lawrence– I kept up with him during his days at Clemson. It’s not just the pressure he applies on the Quarterback, it’s the pressure he applies to the entire offensive line. Dexter has a great release off the snap and plays with a nasty edge to his game. The Bears Offensive Line must know where he is at all times.
Final Thoughts: It’s 2 iconic football teams here. Both these clubs are very similar these days. They each have rookie head coaches and both have won ugly games. I expect this to be a low-scoring affair. Both Justin Fields and Daniel Jones are hit or miss in the passing game. This will be a running game and defensive slugfest. The Giants had some promising moments offensively on Monday night. They just couldn’t consistently execute which lead to them losing. This game comes down to the turnover battle. Which defense can get that key takeaway when it matters the most?
Prediction: Giants 17, Bears 13
