Chicago Bears: Post-bye week could easily see run to 6-2

Week 9 @ Buffalo Bills

We have figured out the formula for losing to the Buffalo Bills: Be the Minnesota Vikings.

I kid, I kid.

But, in all seriousness, the Bills capitalized on some early, demoralizing mistakes by Kirk Cousins in that crazy Week 3 victory over the Vikings. If the Bears avoid early, costly mistakes, I don’t see them having a problem in this one. The Bills just received a shut-out in Green Bay, who doesn’t have one of those elite defenses like the Bears.

Facing another rookie quarterback, the Bears should find this one a little more fun. Josh Allen likes to run a little bit, which could present an entertaining challenge for Mack and company. Fortunately, Chicago also has a pair of guys in the middle with sideline-to-sideline speed in Danny Trevathan and Roquan Smith.

The Vikings’ linebackers have been liabilities most of the season — Chicago won’t have that problem. Buffalo is also dead-last in the NFL in run-blocking.

What does that mean? The Bills won’t be able to run the ball on the second-ranked run defense in the league. It’s not going to happen. Therefore, it’ll all be on Allen to make things happen.

Like the Jets, the Bills are beatable simply by getting to Allen. Their defense is middle of the pack at 17th overall, but are giving up nearly 100 yards per game on the ground. This, like the game against the Patriots, could be a Cohen and Howard game.

If the Bears continue to ride the momentum of how their defense is playing and are able to see week-over-week growth from Trubisky, this is absolutely, 100 percent a 6-2 team by midseason.