Bears can win even on a bye week

Bears general manager Ryan Poles, left, and head coach Matt Eberflus, right, stand to benefit even on a bye week. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) (Chicago Tribune via Getty Images)

The Chicago Bears won’t play in Week 13, but it’s still a pivotal week for the franchise. With the regular season winding down, the Bears still hold the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

But it’s no guarantee they wind up picking first in the draft. Following Chicago’s win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12, the quest for Caleb is essentially down to three teams: The Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots. Those three teams have two or fewer wins this season.

It’s believed one of USC quarterback Caleb Williams, North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye or Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be considered with the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, though that depends on which team secures the pick.

At 1-10, the Panthers have the worst record in the NFL, but that benefits the Bears. Carolina sent its 2024 first-round pick to Chicago as part of the D.J. Moore trade in the offseason. If the Panthers secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears will make that selection.

Panthers look for bounce back against lowly Buccaneers

Things look bleak in Carolina. After a fourth-straight loss, Panthers owner David Tepper fired Frank Reich just 11 games into his contract. The team promoted special teams coordinator Chris Tabor into the interim head coach spot. Tabor will look to turn things around after a disastrous start.

That could happen as soon as Week 13. At 4-7, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t the scariest opponent on offense. If the Panthers experience a boost following Reich’s firing — hey, it worked for the Las Vegas Raiders — it’s plausible the Panthers can pull out a win against the Bucs.

Bryce Young — who the team selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft — would need to turn things around…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nfl-draft-order-bears-can-win-even-on-a-bye-week-181824905.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2023-11-28 18:18:24

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