Giants Injury Report Is Looking Good…For The Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have a chance to reach 3-1 to start their 2022 season. That is a record nobody thought would be possible for them, not after how ugly last year was and how bad their passing game has been through the first three games. Yet head coach Matt Eberflus has gotten his players to battle their way to this moment. They’re getting a New York Giants team coming off a short week and still reeling from a dispiriting loss to the division rival Dallas Cowboys.

People are concerned about the Bears’ injury situation. Jaylon Johnson still hasn’t practiced due to a quad injury. David Montgomery is also still out with his ankle problem. Other guys are nicked up too. However, they don’t appear to have it nearly as bad as the Giants—their injury report borders on a M*A*S*H unit. Top wide receiver Sterling Shepard went on IR with a torn ACL. Former 1st round pick Kadarius Toney and rookie Wan’Dale Robinson haven’t practiced this week due to hamstring and knee injuries. Worst of all, Leonard Williams also remains out with a knee problem. He is their best run defender and interior pass rusher.

#CHIvsNYG Thursday injury report… pic.twitter.com/NMfviTEhjj

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) September 29, 2022

The Chicago Bears can take advantage of these issues.

Daniel Jones literally has no receiver to throw to. His healthy options are Kenny Golladay, David Sills, and Richie James. Golladay hasn’t played well since he got to New York last year. Sills and James are backups and play like it. New York is almost guaranteed to lean on Saquon Barkley and Jones’ legs to get any offense going in this one. If the Bears can take that dimension away, they have a chance to smother the Giants.

Offensively, it’s already well-known this team can run the ball. Khalil Herbert was unstoppable last week against Houston. New York’s run defense was never good. Without Williams, it took a nose dive the past two weeks. Defensive coordinator Don Martindale would love nothing better than to throw his creative packages at Justin Fields. That may prove difficult if he can’t stop the Chicago Bears on the ground.

This is a game that should lean into what they do best. If they run the ball and play good defense, their odds of reaching 3-1 are favorable.