3 questions for the Chicago Bears heading into Week 12
The Bears' 27-24 loss to the Lions on Sunday dropped them to 3-7, as they once again made it close but came up short.
Here are three questions about the Bears as they prepare this week for the playoff-bound Philadelphia Eagles.
1. Is it time for a new kicker?
Connor Barth has made just 11 of 16 FG attempts (68.8 percent). The Bears were 27th in FG percentage before he missed a potentially game-tying 46-yarder with three seconds remaining Sunday and made a 23-yard gimme in the first quarter.
"We're a production-based business," coach John Fox said. "That's what we get paid to do, whether it's winning games as a head coach or whether it's making kicks as a kicker. We will evaluate it. We will do everything we can to put the best team we can out there."
It doesn't look good for Barth, who is well below his career success rate, which was 84.0 entering the season, and it would be a surprise if the Bears don't consider alternatives this week.
2. Who replaces outside linebacker Leonard Floyd?
Probably no one. The ninth overall draft pick in 2016 is second on the team with 5 ½ sacks, and he's a freaky athlete, but he suffered what is expected to be a season-ending knee injury in the fourth quarter. Veteran Pernell McPhee has 4 sacks but none in the last three games, when he's been pretty much invisible. Next up on the depth chart is Sam Acho, who has 3 ½ sacks in five years.
3. Is coach John Fox tired of answering questions about personnel?
Evidently. Fox was asked why second-year running back Jordan Howard, rookie running back Tarik Cohen and rookie tight end Adam Shaheen weren't on the field for the final drive.
Fox got snippy, and rightfully so. The rookies aren't as well-versed in the two-minute offense as older players, and Howard is unreliable as a pass catcher.
"There are a lot of situations that a lot of people, including you all, don't get," Fox said.
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