Justin Fields shows ‘progress’ in Chicago Bears’ victory

CHICAGO — Bears coach Matt Eberflus mentioned he does not view Justin Fields‘ lack of gaudy passing statistics from a 27-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals as a detriment to the staff’s skill to win constantly.

“I see it as progress,” Eberflus mentioned of Fields’ Week 16 efficiency. “Whenever you’re the profitable quarterback on the profitable staff, that is all the time good, proper? He is been a part of that; the final three out of 4 wins have been popping out of the two-minute, and he is been a part of that. I actually do see progress.”

Fields’ twin menace skills carried the Bears to their sixth victory of the season, which doubled Chicago’s win whole from 2022. The quarterback accomplished 15 of 27 passes for 170 yards, 1 landing and 1 interception with a 71.5 passer score. Fields additionally rushed for 97 yards and a landing on 9 makes an attempt.

The Bears’ 250 speeding yards have been their most in a recreation this season, as have been their 150 yards earlier than contact, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Info. Operating again Khalil Herbert, who acquired his first begin in three weeks after D’Onta Foreman was made inactive, generated a season-best 112 speeding yards on 20 carries and a landing.

“We’re enthusiastic about that,” Eberflus mentioned of the run recreation. “Loads of occasions when you have got a quantity like that, your quarterback is a giant a part of that. So 97 yards by [Fields]. Had some actually dynamic scrambles and runs. What was cool, although, was that he regarded down the sector plenty of occasions and he made some passes, too, which is what he is been engaged on. That was actually good.”

As Fields’ passing whole dipped from 135 yards within the first half to 35 within the second, he made up for it by doubling his speeding output (65 yards vs. 32 within the first two quarters).

Fields was with out a wholesome DJ Moore, who grew to become extra of a decoy for the Bears on offense after reaggravating the ankle damage he had sustained in opposition to Detroit in Week 14. Moore exited briefly after getting damage on the second play of the sport. Chicago’s prime receiver completed with three catches for 18 yards, his largest seize approaching third-and-4 late within the fourth quarter to arrange a discipline purpose.

Fields additionally needed to regulate to the second-half absence of tight finish Cole Kmet, who didn’t return after injuring a knee. Kmet reached a career-high 107 receiving yards on 4 catches within the first half.

Sunday marked Discipline’s ninth profession recreation with passing and speeding touchdowns, which ties former Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh for the second-most such video games in a season in franchise historical past.

Postgame, Fields dismissed the notion that he wants to achieve any particular statistical threshold — passing or speeding — to achieve success.

“I imply, I am cool with no matter so long as we win a recreation, to be trustworthy with you,” Fields mentioned. “If I’ve 100 passing yards with zero touchdowns … we get the win, I am cool with that. I do know individuals love stats and — ‘he solely threw for this a lot or that a lot.’ I do not care. We received the sport. So long as we win, I am probably not a numbers man, you recognize? All I do know is one went up within the win column in the present day, in order that’s all I care about.”