Chicago Bears News: Draft positioning after Week 15 loss to Eagles

Week 15 was an entertaining matchup between two of the young, mobile quarterbacks in today’s NFL. Chicago Bears second-year quarterback Justin Fields took on Philadelphia Eagles starter and MVP candidate, Jalen Hurts.

While the Bears didn’t come out victorious, they sure put up a valiant effort, only losing 30-25 in the end.

What the Bears did gain, however, was the privilege of sitting still at the number 2 overall pick in next year’s draft.

Here’s how the top of the 2023 NFL Draft order shakes out after Week 15:

1. Houston Texans 1-12-1

2. Chicago Bears 3-11

3. Denver Broncos 4-10 (Pick goes to Seattle)

4. Los Angeles Rams 4-10 (Pick goes to Detroit)

5. Arizona Cardinals 4-10

The Chicago Bears are in great position to finish the season with the number 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Let’s break down the remaining schedule for these teams, quick.

Houston

Week 16: @ Tennessee Titans

Week 17: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 18: @ Indianapolis Colts

The Titans are fighting for their playoff lives at the moment, with the Jaguars right on their heels. In fact, if the Jaguars win-out, then they’ll win the AFC South. That’s astonishing, considering how Jacksonville started the year.

Houston will likely lose to Tennessee and Jacksonville, with the Indianapolis game up in the air. In all likelihood, the Texans are locked into that number one spot.

Chicago

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 17: @ Detroit Lions

Week 18: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Let’s be real, folks. All three of these very well could be losses. The Bills are the AFC’s elite, and that won’t be a pretty ending. The Lions, meanwhile, are one of the hottest teams in football and are somehow fighting for a playoff spot still. Then, there’s the Vikings, who just pulled off the greatest regular season comeback in NFL history. Minnesota and Detroit have already beaten the Bears once each this season.

Denver

Week 16: @ Los Angeles Rams

Week 17: @ Kansas City Chiefs

Week 18: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

First of all, the fact that Denver and Los Angeles have to play each other still works in the Bears’ favor. One of those teams has to win — you would think. As long as they don’t tie, it’s a huge positive for the Bears.

While the Broncos played the Chiefs tough a couple of weeks ago, they might be without Russell Wilson — and maybe that’s a good thing? Who knows. But, the Chiefs should roll in that one. Then, there’s the Chargers who are also a talented team and still fighting for the postseason. The Broncos might win one of their three remaining games, giving them five wins in total.

Los Angeles

Week 16: vs. Denver Broncos

Week 17: @ Los Angeles Chargers

Week 18: @ Seattle Seahawks

We’ve already covered the Week 16 matchup being a plus for the Bears. Week 17 against the Chargers could be an interesting one, but again, the Chargers have much to play for still. The Seahawks do too, even though they’ve fallen off. The Rams may not win another game this year, but that’s fine if the Bears do the same.

Arizona

Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 17: @ Atlanta Falcons

Week 18: @ San Francisco 49ers

The Cardinals are now without Kyler Murray for the rest of the year, and maybe even Colt McCoy, depending on his status. The only game they could possibly win is against Atlanta, otherwise they’ll lose the other two. Most likely, Arizona finishes with four or five wins on the season.

If the Bears lose-out, they’ll have the number two spot locked up. And, in the end, that’s all that matters. They control their own destiny to that extent, as odd as it might sound to say something like that.