Chicago Bears: Week 2 vs. Cincinnati Bengals is deceivingly crucial

The Chicago Bears defense cannot take Cincinnati lightly

In his first game back from a major knee injury, former no. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow had himself an efficient game. In the win over Minnesota, he went 20-of-27 for 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while throwing zero interceptions.

The biggest surprise from the Bengals’ passing game came from rookie wideout Ja’Marr Chase, who had five receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Prior to his regular season debut, Chase had been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

After infamously talking about how NFL footballs are more difficult to catch than collegiate footballs, and struggling with drops in the preseason, Chase turned it all around and reminded everybody why he was such a high draft pick. Instead of being a questionable pick, Chase is now immediately a threat — and he’s aiming for NFL history when it’s all said and done.

Going into the season, the Vikings’ defense was a unit that many thought would be a different story than 2020. They got healthier up front, specifically. Still, the Bengals put up a formidable fight.

Joe Mixon is a guy not many are talking about this week, but after one game, he’s leading the NFL in rushing with 127 yards. The Bengals put up 149 yards rushing in Week 1, which is something the Bears will need to look out for without Eddie Goldman again. They’ll have a big test ahead of them with Mixon looking fresh.

Cincinnati also has Tee Higgins, a second-year wideout, who gives the Bengals yet another first-round wide receiver. Tyler Boyd is one of the most underrated possession guys in the league, too, so the Bengals are no slouch in the passing game. Chicago’s secondary is the biggest concern right now on defense, and the Bengals might just provide them with another long day.