Last week: 17 (-5)

Record: 6-5

Injuries, age, and the departure of defensive coaches Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli have reduced the Bears’ once proud defense to one of the worst in the NFL. If they can’t force a takeaway, they generally can’t keep their opponents from scoring, as they have forced a league worst 40 punts. It’s tough to rely on takeaways. They are allowing opponents to move the chains at a 78% rate, a rate that is increasing as injuries derail them more and more. Fortunately, their offense is doing enough to make up for it, also moving the chains at a 78% rate. Josh McCown is playing out of his mind right now, completing 65.5% of his passes for an average of 7.47 YPA, 7 touchdowns, and 1 interception. I don’t know how much I trust him though. All of this is coming from a guy who is 34 years old, has a career QB rating of 74.7, and hasn’t posted a QB rating higher than 70 since 2005. He didn’t suddenly become a starting caliber quarterback. They might need to get Cutler back if they want to make the playoffs.

Week 12 Studs

WR Brandon Marshall

TE Martellus Bennett

Week 12 Duds

LT Jermon Bushrod

RT Jordan Mills

RG Kyle Long

LOLB Khaseem Greene

MLB Jon Bostic

ROLB James Anderson

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