Chalk Sunday’s 35-32 loss to the Miami Dolphins (6-3) up as another rebuild win for the Chicago Bears (3-6).
Even in defeat the Bears are producing an exciting product for its fans. Justin Fields has come alive over his last three outings, generating legitimate buzz about who the NFC North’s top quarterback really is at the moment.
Fields finished the day completing 17-of-28 passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns. However, it’s what he continues to do with his legs that sets him apart from his counterparts.
Fields scampered for 178 yards rushing on 15 carries, which included a 61-yard touchdown run. That is the most rushing yards by a quarterback in the NFL’s regular season history.
JUSTIN FIELDS TAKES IT 61 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 🏠
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 6, 2022
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/xvT8NuRpaN
The Bears have not been in possession of the division’s best quarterback since Sid Luckman’s playing days in the 1940s. That being said, it’s not unreasonable to expect Fields to change that sooner rather than later.
Old Man Rodgers
Obviously Aaron Rodgers has occupied the NFC North’s throne for the last 13 years, but his recent play suggests that he’s heading in the opposite direction of Fields.
In the Green Bay Packers’ embarrassing 15-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 9, Rodgers threw three interceptions against the worst scoring defense the NFL has to offer. Rodgers is set to turn 39 years old in December, and has never looked more over the hill than he appears to be this season.
The Lions entered today allowing 32.1 points per game, by far the worst in the NFL.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 6, 2022
They hadn't held anyone to fewer than 24 points.
The Packers managed 9 points today and have lost 5 straight games with Aaron Rodgers at QB for the first time since 2008.
Kirk Cousins has led the Minnesota Vikings to first place in the division, but there isn’t a quarterback in the NFL that consistently does less with more.
Quarterbacks around the league would do unholy things to have Cousins’ supporting cast, but he might be the most frustrating passer to watch not named Carson Wentz.
Credit Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy for Fields’ meteoric rise of late. Fields still has a ways to go as a passer, but Getsy has designed the offense to cater to his second-year quarterback’s strength.
For all the haters out there, Justin Fields is the dude. As a #Bears fan, I’m enjoying watching him grow every single week. Hats off to the oline and to Luke Getsy for playing to QB1’s strengths. More progress was made today.
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) November 6, 2022
Success breeds comfortability in this league, and Fields is starting to settle in. I believe a surprising amount of defensive coordinators around the NFL would label Fields as the most difficult quarterback to prepare for in the NFC North.
Featured image via Mike Dinovo – USA TODAY Sports
