Bears' Rooting Guide for 2022 NFL Draft Implications of Week 13
The Chicago Bears gained the most in the projected 2023 NFL draft order last week, when they moved up to the No. 2 selection.
However, they need to lose out to even try catching the Houston Texans for the No. 1 overall pick next year.
Chicago should feel comfortable with the No. 2 overall pick, though, because it does not need a quarterback and it could be the most valuable spot on the board come April 27. Other teams with QB needs may propose deals with the Bears so that the NFC North side can improve its haul of picks.
Longtime nemesis Aaron Rodgers comes to Soldier Field in Week 13 with a 23-5 record against the Bears in tow.
A loss could be in the cards even with a healthy Justin Fields on the gridiron on Sunday, but just in case the Bears spring an upset, they need a few other three-loss teams to win to ensure they remain in the No. 2 draft slot.
Texans over Browns
The Houston Texans winning a game to make the draft order competition closer is wishful thinking.
However, the Bears still need to root for a Texans win each week until the No. 1 pick is confirmed just to be sure.
Houston welcomes the Browns and Deshaun Watson to town on Sunday. Cleveland is the better team on paper, but Sunday marks the first time the quarterback will be on the field with the first-team offense this season.
The Texans were not competitive in Kyle Allen's season debut at quarterback last week against the Miami Dolphins. They needed 15 second-half points to make the final score look respectable.
Houston might be competitive with Cleveland because the Browns have some things to work out with Watson on the field.
Cleveland could use a heavy dose of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt to wear down the Texans defense and then let Watson show off in the coming weeks.
Rooting for a Texans win feels like wasted energy, but you can never be entirely certain what's going to happen in any game.
Rams over Seahawks
The Bears are one of three teams stuck on three wins.
The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams are the other two, although neither franchise owns its first-round pick.
However, Chicago still needs both teams to win at some point to clear out the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions from contention for the No. 2 pick.
The Rams' results might mean more to the Bears because their first-round pick goes to the Detroit Lions of the NFC North.
At this point in the season, L.A. sits in the spoiler role because everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. It could have extra motivation to win on Sunday because the Seahawks are a division rival in the NFC West.
Seattle is a half-game behind the last NFC wild-card spot, and the Rams would love to play spoiler with their depleted roster.
L.A. may not win many more games this season, so the Bears have to hope it puts all of its efforts into winning against divisional rivals to gain separation in the projected draft order.
Broncos over Ravens
Any argument for the Denver Broncos earning an upset over the Baltimore Ravens begins with their defense.
Denver has conceded more than 24 points only once this season, but its offense hasn't been able to match the defensive production.
Russell Wilson and Co. managed just 10 points last week against the Carolina Panthers, and they have scored in the teens in each of their last three games.
Denver could beat Baltimore if it slows down Lamar Jackson and keeps the game close heading into the fourth quarter. The Ravens have blown a few late leads this season.
Chicago needs to hope Denver can win a low-scoring game in Baltimore to move the Broncos one win ahead of it in the standings.
Denver's first-round pick transfers to the Seahawks, and while they are not a divisional rival, they are a team that could challenge the Bears if they both rebound in the coming years in the NFC.