Chicago Bears Mailbag: Changing 2018 expectations and more

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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 30: Bilal Nichols #98 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on September 30, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Buccaneers 48-10. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

@XjaymcO

Does Bilal Nichols playing time go up?

How can it not? The rookie 5th round pick has flashed almost every time he’s been on the field. He’s getting pressure up the middle as an interior pass rusher and has shown an ability to shoot gaps and get tackles for loss in the run game. To think he came from such humble beginnings as Delaware and is already making NFL offensive linemen look silly is hard to imagine. Clearly the young man has talent and he should only get better with experience.

@BarberSquires

I can see this #Bears team splitting the division games and losing to NE and the Rams. That would put us at 11-5. What do you think about that?

I think that’s a fair assessment of what’s reasonably possible for this team. Their defense should keep them in almost every ball game the rest of the way. If the offense can play at even 75% of the level they showed against Tampa Bay, they’re going to beat most of the teams left on their schedule. An 11-5 mark is possible though I personally feel 10-6 is now the sweet spot. That may not be enough to get the division but should secure a wild card berth.

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