When the Chicago Bears take the field against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, it’ll be quarterback Andy Dalton leading the team out despite many calling for rookie Justin Fields to start from the get-go.
But will Dalton finish the game? One NFL analyst doesn’t believe so.
A group of NFL.com analysts shared their bold predictions for Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season, and Marc Ross’ prediction will leave Bears fans quite happy. He believes Fields will relieve Dalton at halftime and lead Chicago to a comeback win over Los Angeles on Sunday Night Football.
Andy Dalton has the second-worst win percentage in prime-time games (.261) since 2000 — and those struggles continue Sunday night in Los Angeles. The veteran is benched at halftime after being shut out and mustering just 100 yards of total offense. In steps rookie sensation Justin Fields, who leads the Bears to a comeback win against a Rams defense that can’t overcome the offseason losses of Brandon Staley, John Johnson, Troy Hill and Michael Brockers. Fields’ debut includes one passing TD and another on the ground.
It’s certainly a bold claim that would leave most Bears fans happy, regardless of win or loss. But you figure 100 total yards of offense in one half should be plenty for Dalton to keep his job. Don’t forget, there was a time when Chicago’s offense mustered just 9 yards of offense in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019. And no one was benched.
Granted, it also depends on just how short Dalton’s leash is heading into the opener. If Matt Nagy does indeed pull the trigger on inserting Fields into the game, it would only add fuel to the fire that Dalton only got the start because the Bears promised him that when they signed him in free agency.
Then again, this all becomes a moot point if Dalton shocks the football world and balls out against the Rams. Or, at the very least, doesn’t do enough to lose the starting job.
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