SECOND HALF- FULL
Bears optimisticoptimis about restrest of of seaso season, and theythey havehave rea reason to be
Offensive tackle Bobby Massie takes them one game ga a time like every other player in the NFL is supposed to. But he h couldn’t help but peek at the Bears’ Be second- half schedule and see opportunity. op “The games thatwe that have lined up for us, we have the ability to potentially— tially— if we do eve everything we need to do— make a play playoff run,” Massie said. “It’s been a whil awhile since Chicago’s been to the playoffs [ seven seasons, to be exact], so pote potentially it’s there for us. We’ve got to take the steps to get that done. But t that’s what I see — we’ve got an oppo opportunity to really do something here.” Optimism is inherent in to any team in any sport under any circumstance. cumstance. In 2014, 2014 the Bears finished ished a 3- 5 first ha half of the season with a dreadful 51 51- 23 loss to the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. But the upcoming bye w week gave coach Marc Trestman a buoy b to hold on to. “I’ve seen this happen ha over time after a bye week where w teams find themselves,’’ Trestman Tre said at the time. time. “We’ve just got to put it it all all together.’’ together Less Less tha than two quarters into into the the next game, the Bears Bears we were down 42- 0 to the the Pack Packers at Lambeau Field, Field, a and Trestman’s fate fate was all but sea sealed. So much for optimism. The Bears B were 2- 6 in the second half h that season. son If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. Last year, they were 1- 7 in the second half under John Fox. They were 2- 6 in the second half of Fox’s first season in 2015.
In fact, the Bears haven’t had a better record in the second half than in the first half since 2010, when they went 6- 2 after a 5- 3 start to finish 11- 5 and win the NFC North.
After a promising 3- 5 start this season, the second half will determine if the Bears have truly turned the corner under general manager Ryan Pace and Fox. And their optimism is not unfounded. Here are four reasons why this season has a chance to be different:
1. The eye test
All you have to do is watch to see this team is better, with better players, improving players and more depth.
“It’s not a magical pie- in- the- sky thing,” linebacker Sam Acho said. “I’ve seen what we’ve put on film [ the last few weeks]. I’m optimistic because we’re playing well. We’ve been playing well, and we’re getting better every week.”
2. Playmakers
Last season, the Bears’ only play of more than 50 yards by the defense and special teams was a meaningless 65- yard punt- return touchdown by Eddie Royal against the Eagles. This year, the Bears already have four plays of 50- plus yards on defense and special teams, including three touchdowns — and all of them have led the way to victory.
3. Mitch Trubisky
While the rookie’s numbers after four starts are mediocre at best, his potential is obvious. This team believes in him.
“Trubisky was my biggest point of improvement during the last game for us,” defensive end Akiem Hicks said. “It seemed like hewas so muchmore comfortable back there. I was impressed by his growth, and I look forward tomore of it.”
4. The schedule
The Bears’ second- half opponents were a combined 27- 36 (. 429) heading into Monday night’s Lions-Packers game. Five of their opponents— the Packers, Lions ( twice), 49ers, Bengals and Browns— were a combined 1- 17 in the last four weeks.
“It does make a difference,” Massie said, “because the first half of our season was tough. We still have a lot of good teams on our schedule. But if we can put ourselves in position to win these games . . .”
You never know what might happen.
Follow me on Twitter @MarkPotash
Email: mpotash@suntimes.com