Chicago Bears: Don’t write off the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3

As the Chicago Bears get ready to play the Atlanta Falcons, why shouldn’t the Bears be writing them off?

Face it, the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons are two evenly matched teams. One team is undefeated (Chicago) while the other team is winless (Atlanta). Most are under the assumption that the Bears will go into Atlanta and come out on top with an easy win.

However, the Falcons have proven two things in 2020. First, they’re capable of putting up points in bunches. Over the last two weeks, Atlanta has scored 41 points in the first half of games alone. Contrast that to the Bears, who’ve put up just 23 points in the first half. Second, Atlanta can blow leads like we’re all accustomed to seeing. The former is why the Bears need to be on alert heading into Atlanta.

Atlanta’s star wide receiver Julio Jones may be questionable for the game on Sunday, however, the Falcons offensive core still features wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage, along with tight end Hayden Hurst and running back Todd Gurley. Combine that core with quarterback Matt Ryan, who’s still one of the best in the NFL at his position, and the Bears clearly have an issue.

Ultimately, this game will come down to the Bears offense versus the Falcons defense. It’s clear that the numbers show one thing: Atlanta, as mentioned above, can put up points easily. That means that if the game turns into a shootout, the Bears offense will need to keep pace with the Falcons offense.

The Bears offense over the first two weeks of the 2020 season has shown flashes of being able to score when it matters most. Still, the offense hasn’t played consistently for four full quarters, something that needs to change fast.

Furthermore, it’s all on the heels of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to be the spark the offense needs. Trubisky has been solid for the first two games of the 2020 campaign. However, a big win in Atlanta in week three would prove that he’s ready to continue to hold off Nick Foles and lead the Bears forward. Contributions will be needed from wide receivers Anthony Miller and Allen Robinson as well, both of whom were lost and nowhere to be found in week two.

Overall, Atlanta may be winless, however, that doesn’t mean anything. The Bears defense continues to find it’s groove while the offense continues to produce but not enough to win games. Chicago knows that this is a tough matchup, one that will require the Bears to play a consistent game for all four quarters, especially on offense.