Chicago Bears may catch two huge breaks Week 3 at Falcons

In Week 3, the Chicago Bears travel to take on a desperate Atlanta Falcons team.

Over the course of the first two weeks, the Chicago Bears have been a lot of things. Some may say they’re lucky. Others say certain aspects of the team are, indeed, improved from a year ago. Then again, a few continue to say they will finish the season with a losing record just as those individuals predicted.

Whatever your opinion on the Bears may be, the fact is, they have a chance to take their record to 3-0 on Sunday when they face off against the Atlanta Falcons. Sure, there are some concerns with this team. But, wins are wins.

So far, the Falcons have been underwhelming. But, it hasn’t been for lack of scoring points. Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown for 723 yards and six touchdowns in two games as the Falcons’ offense has gotten off to a blistering start.

The Falcons have put up a total of 64 points in their first two games. The problem has been on the defensive side of the ball, as Atlanta has lost both of their games. Week 2 saw the Falcons blow another monstrous lead (an allusion to their monumental Super Bowl collapse) as the Dallas Cowboys came back to shock Atlanta.

Calvin Ridley has stolen the show, scoring four touchdowns in two weeks and becoming Ryan’s go-to guy thus far. In Week 3 versus the Bears, it might be up to Ridley to steal the show once more. Atlanta may be without Julio Jones.

If the Chicago Bears are to go 3-0, they’ll have to take advantage with their pass rush.

Not only could the Bears get lucky in not facing Jones, but Atlanta’s starting right tackle Kaleb McGary looks like he will miss the game on Sunday due to an MCL sprain.

If that’s the case, Chicago’s pass rush could have a field day. Khalil Mack has been an absolute dominant force in terms of pressures while Akiem Hicks has two sacks in two games. Not to mention, Robert Quinn had an impressive debut against the Giants in which both turnovers happened due to his getting to the quarterback.

Without Jones, the Bears will focus in on Ridley. But, they should not overlook Russell Gage, who came in as the team’s third wide receiver yet is second to Ridley in targets (21) and receptions (15). The Falcons’ offense hasn’t missed a beat after losing Austin Hooper, as those targets have gone to both Gage and newcomer Hayden Hurst.

If Chicago’s defense gets a backup right tackle and no Jones on Sunday, they may once again hear the word “lucky.” But, in a season filled with so many headlining injuries in just two weeks, that’s going to be the name of the game.

The best teams, at the end of the season, will be the teams who can stay the healthiest and take advantage of others’ misfortunes. While it’s never a positive thing to see players injured, the Bears certainly may have a big advantage on Sunday if Jones and McGary miss.