Teams to root for during the Bears bye week

It took 13 weeks of the 2023 NFL season, but the Chicago Bears have officially reached their long awaited bye week. The Bears have been put through a gauntlet in more ways than one during the first 12 weeks of the season and now the team can finally take a breather while enjoying the week […]

Kole Noble — Chicago Bears News Writer

Dec 1, 2023 12:07 PM EST

Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. — Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

It took 13 weeks of the 2023 NFL season, but the Chicago Bears have officially reached their long awaited bye week.

The Bears have been put through a gauntlet in more ways than one during the first 12 weeks of the season and now the team can finally take a breather while enjoying the week off.

However, for Bears' fans out there, Week 13's NFL slate is still filled with meaningful games that could impact the Bears' future in a major way over the weekend.

The Bears are entering into their bye week with a 4-8 record and sit in fourth place in the NFC North. The team is currently in possession of the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft based on their own record while having the #1 overall pick thanks to the Carolina Panthers.

The outcome of the Week 13 slate could have some major draft order implications during the final stretch of the season. Currently, four teams enter into Week 13 with a 4-7 record. A loss in Week 13 would put those teams at 4-8 on the season, the same record as the Bears. The Washington Commanders are currently 4-8 as well, and a loss would allow them to jump the Bears in draft positioning.

With that being said, let's take a look at the most important games on Sunday's slate that could impact the Bears' draft stock in 2024.

Teams to root for in terms of draft positioning:

Nov 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. — Bill Belichick walks off the field after the game against the New York GiantsVincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Looking ahead to Sunday's slate, the first game that Bears' fans should be tuning into is the Los Angeles Chargers (4-7) at the New England Patriots (2-9) at 1:00pm EST. The Patriots are currently in possession of the #3 overall pick in the NFL Draft and have lost each of their last four games.

A win on Sunday against the Chargers could put the Patriots at 3-9 on the season and one step closer to having the Bears slide past them and securing the third overall pick. However, a loss by the Chargers would put them at 4-8 on the season and in reach of jumping the Bears second first-round selection.

The Patriots only have one win at home in 2023 (Week 7 vs the Buffalo Bills). The Chargers have now lost three straight games as their season continues to spiral out of control. Can the Bears get some help in the early window from Bill Belichick and the Patriots or would they rather New England dropping yet another?

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Nov. 26, 2023. — Kyler Murray against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half.Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Another game worth keeping an eye on in the early window is the Arizona Cardinals (2-10) at the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4). The Cardinals are in current possession of the #2 pick and are within striking distance of snatching the #1 overall pick from the Bears.

Good news for the Bears, the Cardinals are 1-2 since quarterback Kyler Murray returned to the starting lineup. The Bears will need Murray to be at his best on Sunday in order to lock in another win against the vaunted Steelers defense. It's a tough ask, but it's one that could be a major boost for the Bears by the time April rolls around.

Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) walks off the field after the Commanders loss to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. — Sam Howell walks off the field after the Commanders loss to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T StadiumJerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Following a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Commanders are another team who's season is rapidly spiraling out of control. The Commanders (4-8) currently have the #5 overall pick in the draft entering Week 13.

A loss to the Miami Dolphins (8-3) would allow the Commanders to snatch the #4 overall pick away from the Bears. The Bears will be relying on the NFL's top passing yard leader Sam Howell to make sure that doesn't happen. It'll be a tough ask, the Dolphins are 7-1 against teams with a losing record in 2023, however, all three of the Dolphins losses have been on the road.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) looks for a receiver against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. — Bryce Young looks for a receiver against the Tennessee Titans.Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bears helped the Panthers find their quarterback of the future in Bryce Young. Now, the Bears need some help from Young in return. The Bears are in the driver's seat to lock in the number one overall pick thanks to the Panthers horrendous season, and they need that trend to continue against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

The Buccaneers (4-7) are still fighting for the division lead in the NFC South and will be hungry to secure a win during the second window. The Panthers, after recently firing head coach Frank Reich, will be playing their first game under interim head coach Chris Tabor. This is potentially the biggest game on the agenda for a Bears fan this weekend.