The Chicago Bears (3-5) will battle the Miami Dolphins (5-3) on Sunday, the place Chicago is trying to construct off a powerful offensive outing.
The Bears are coming off a 49-29 loss to the Dallas Cowboys (6-2), the place the protection struggled however the offense placed on a present. The hope is Chicago can construct on that offensive momentum, particularly quarterback Justin Fields, who’s been on a tear over the past couple of weeks. We might very properly be in for a shootout between the Bears and Dolphins.
Will Chicago pull off an upset in opposition to Miami in Week 9? Our Bears Wire employees share their recreation picks for Sunday’s matchup.
Alyssa Barbieri (4-4): Dolphins 35, Bears 27
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It’s been a whirlwind of every week with the Roquan Smith commerce and the arrival of Chase Claypool. There’s been an obvious shift in philosophy from protection to offense, which might imply extra shootouts within the ultimate 9 video games of the season. I don’t learn about you, however that’s one thing I’m going to need to get used to (and I actually don’t hate it).
In final week’s loss to the Cowboys, it was the Bears offense that stored them in that recreation, and that’ll probably be the case once more. Quarterback Justin Fields has stacked back-to-back spectacular outings, the place he’s been capable of overcome the deficiencies round him to take steps ahead in his growth. Fields has been thrilling to look at, and it’s what’ll finally give Chicago an opportunity on this recreation. That, and their top-ranked run recreation, which is averaging virtually 190 yards per recreation.
The Bears protection will definitely have its palms full in opposition to a high-powered Dolphins offense, which options the dynamic duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who might put this Chicago secondary via it on Sunday. But when which means getting to look at Fields the Bears get right into a shootout with Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins, I’m not mad. Nonetheless, I feel Chicago finally falls brief. However at the very least it must be thrilling.
Brendan Sugrue (2-6): Dolphins 33, Bears 24
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Choosing Bears video games this 12 months hasn’t precisely gone my method so take this prediction with a grain of salt. The Bears are within the strategy of an identification shift, now that a number of defensive stars have been moved and the offense is getting reinforcements. It’s thrilling to look at however might result in some dangerous losses in opposition to prime offenses, which is what the Bears are getting this Sunday. The Miami Dolphins have a top-10 offense and their passing assault is the third-best within the league. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will take the highest off the protection and rating factors with ease. The Bears secondary has been stable, however with out a constant cross rush, they’re going to get beat in some unspecified time in the future by one or each of those receivers, particularly on the correct aspect.
The Bears offense may want to hold the load as soon as once more, which is nice for many who wish to see continued progress from Justin Fields. Consider it or not, however the offense is at the moment the power of the Bears offense. The Dolphins have a mean protection, although they do play the run successfully. Remember the fact that additionally they simply traded for and paid star defensive finish Bradley Chubb. There’s a superb likelihood he’s energetic and taking part in significant snaps on Sunday, which might trigger much more issues.
We’re probably in for one more shootout so if the Bears need to lose, at the very least will probably be enjoyable. The Dolphins merely have an excessive amount of firepower to be stored at bay for a full 60 minutes.
Ryan Fedrau (5-3): Dolphins 33, Bears 27
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The Dolphins are only a higher workforce than the Bears. Their offense is difficult to cease and the Bears protection struggled in opposition to Dallas. With how properly Chicago’s offense has performed, that is going to be a excessive scoring recreation. Nonetheless, Miami takes it. Justin Fields places on one other stable displaying, stacking three video games collectively. Sadly, his three greatest profession video games can have a 1-2 document.
Jarrett Bailey (5-3): Bears 30, Dolphins 26
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Name me loopy, however the Bears are making a believer out of me. Sure, the protection was uncovered to an extent in opposition to Dallas, however the offense is discovering its groove. Miami allowed the Lions to regulate a superb portion of the sport final Sunday, and needed to overcome a two-score deficit to beat arguably the worst workforce in soccer. A well timed Jaquan Brisker interception, mixed with a giant recreation from Justin Fields and the newly-acquired Chase Claypool give the Bears a shock win over the Dolphins.