4th and Goal(s): Colts Stand In Way As Foles Era Officially Begins
An opportunistic Chicago Bears team has a shot at a perfect start to the first quarter of the season when they host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Starting 4-0 is a big deal in the NFL and the odds of becoming playoff-bound really start to stack in your favor with such an early record. That said, this week brings with it the stiffest challenge to the Bears have seen so far this year. The Indianapolis Colts will come into Soldier Field with talent and are also very healthy, like the Bears are.
Even more than usual, both quarterbacks will be highlighted -- Nick Foles for the Bears is being tasked with adding even more enthusiasm to the start of a new era within the Matt Nagy-era as Bears head coach. Lots of new possibilities exist at this moment knowing Nagy finally has a quarterback that can run his system.
On the other side, long established QB Philip Rivers makes his first trip to Chicago as a Colt after his storied career as a Charger. Just as recent as last year, Rivers had a good last trip to Soldier Field, snatching another win from the Bears in the team's most inept stretch of the season.
It was a heartbreaking game for the Bears to lose, but the story then was how terrible Rivers looked in one half and then how great he looked in the next. A similar erratic performance could be on hand for Sunday.
Can the Bears lock Rivers down this time as well as his new cast of support from Indianapolis? Find out in our latest 4th and Goal(s) for all the keys to a Bears victory.
Remember to visit WARR on Anchor, WARR Media’s podcast platform, for the podcast version of 4th and Goal(s), featuring more detailed breakdowns of each game's talking points.
1st Goal
Nagy's New World -- So far in Matt Nagy’s tenure as Bears coach he has shown a distinct inability to run his full offense because of the lack of execution from the quarterback position. That all changes Sunday, which could mean a lot against the top scoring defense in the NFL through the first three weeks.
2nd Goal
Battle in the Trenches -- The Bears have a lot of similarities with the Colts, starting with both squads being helmed by a former Andy Reid assistant (Nagy, Frank Reich). There won't be much that either side will do to surprise the other so a big goal for either team is to control the line of scrimmage and win in the trenches.
3rd Goal
Takeaways Make All The Difference -- Philip Rivers has a chance at the Hall of Fame when his career is all said and done, but he has been dealing with some serious turnover issues from his last season in San Diego and that has extended into his play early in 2020.
There should be opportunities for takeaways but can the Bears convert? Meanwhile, the Colts are a top-5 team in takeaway differential (+3).
4th Goal
No Freebies This Time -- On paper, the Bears have been the best team in each of their games due to all the names scratched due to injury on Detroit, New York and Atlanta. This week a more difficult test meets the Bears not only with play but with the healthiest opponent so far this season.