LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Riding a franchise-worst 13-game losing streak, the Bears (0-3) host Broncos (0-3) in a battle of winless teams Sunday at Soldier Field. Kickoff is set for noon.
Here are three storylines to follow in the game.
1. Can the Bears save their season?
Following the Bears' 13th consecutive loss, quarterback Justin Fields on Sunday attempted to find hope in what’s to come for his team.
"All we need is one to get this thing going,” Fields said. “The Lions started 1-6 last year and they almost made the playoffs. Just keep that faith. In the big picture, it's the third game of the season. We got 14 left – at least."
The Bears desperately need a victory to get their season on track. Coach Matt Eberflus is doing his best to keep his players focused and committed to each other. A win over the struggling Broncos could represent the start of a bounce-back, while another loss would be crippling.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles set a clear expectation for how his team should be measured this season: by winning more games. Following the Bears' 3-14 campaign in 2022, that didn’t seem to be a bar set too high. The roster was infused with more talent this offseason, and the Bears believed they'd see a leap in performance from the 24-year-old Fields.
Through three games, the Bears appear to be the same team as last season – or perhaps worse. It’s a frustrating state of affairs for a franchise that was confident in its direction under the watch of Eberflus and Poles.
With the Bears sitting at 0-3, the playoffs aren't a realistic hope. Just six teams since 1979 have reached the postseason after an 0-3 start. In 2018, the Texans opened with three straight losses before embarking on a nine-game winning streak.
The Texans won the AFC South in 2018 but lost to the Colts in the wild-card round. At the time, Indianapolis’ defense was led by Eberflus, who's now selling hope and opportunity to his Bears.
“You never know when it’s right around the corner,” Eberflus said. “That’s our attitude. We’re determined. We’re focused on this week alone. That’s the attitude the coaches have.”
The Bears' goal at this point is simply to start playing like a more competitive team, one that's heading in the right direction under the guidance of Eberflus and Poles.
2. Spotlight on Bears' offense
The Bears are preparing to face a Broncos defense that was gashed last Sunday in allowing 726 yards and 70 points in an ugly loss to the Dolphins.
Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy acknowledged that the Broncos’ defense is better than it performed in Miami.
“It probably just got away from them in the end,” Getsy said. “You could see the first couple weeks how talented they really are. The two edge rushers they have are really good. They have probably one of the best corners in the league. That game got away from them. Obviously, Miami, they’re clicking on all cylinders right now too. So, that part of it just became a little bit much.”
For a Bears offense that has struggled in its first three games, matching up against the Broncos could serve as a golden opportunity to start clicking.
The Bears haven't scored more than 20 points in a game since Week 11 of last season, when they lost 27-24 to the Falcons. In its 0-3 start, Chicago has posted just 47 total points and 250 yards per game thus far.
Fields has completed 58% of his passes for 526 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions this season. The Bears’ offense ranks 27th in scoring and 29th in yardage through three games. During its 41-10 loss to the Chiefs last Sunday, Chicago managed only 203 total yards of offense.
A Bears rushing attack that produced 3,014 yards on the ground last season has just 305 yards this season.
Can the Bears get their offense sparked against the Broncos? It feels like now or never.
3. Homefield jeers?
When the Bears kicked off their season against the Packers on Sept. 10 at Soldier Field, they did so with great anticipation. Then came an ugly 38-20 loss to Green Bay and the rough start.
How will the fans receive the Bears this time around as they take the field against the Broncos? When will the boo birds rain down from the upper reaches of Soldier Field? This is a fan base that’s plenty frustrated, and that could be clear Sunday.
Bears chairman George McCaskey is quite aware of how his team is being received publicly. He has previously acknowledged reading his “hate mail” from fans and sometimes personally responds.
McCaskey is invested in Poles, Eberflus and their plans for the Bears, but new president Kevin Warren has been put in charge of the entire franchise.
Potential boos inside Soldier Field will speak volumes about a Bears team that's struggling once again.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.