The Chicago Bears have lost six of their last seven games, including the last three in a row. But the exceptional play by QB Justin Fields has the energy around this team feeling like they're on a winning streak and steamrolling toward the playoffs.
At 3-7, that's highly unlikely. But a win against the 4-7 Atlanta Falcons? That's something NFL experts think is a probable outcome Sunday.
According to NFL Pick Watch, 64% of experts polled selected the Bears to win in Atlanta.
Week 11's matchup certainly favors Chicago. The Falcons enter the game wit the NFL's worst pass defense, and their run defense hasn't been much better (18th). Fields should have little trouble shedding Atlanta's defense with his arm and legs and will give the Bears a good chance to score at or near 30 points for the fourth game in a row.
For Chicago to live up to the expert expectations, they must figure out how to close games. The Bears had a two-score lead against the lowly Detroit Lions in Week 10, only to squander an opportunity to keep their playoff hopes alive.
One way the Bears can make sure they don't exit Week 11 with another heartbreaking defeat is to play aggressive football throughout the fourth quarter. Keep taking deep shots. Give WR Chase Claypool a chance to flip the field. Don't get conservative.
Kickoff between the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.