One of these things is not like the other.
It’s pretty peculiar to think that the Chicago Bears, who were, by all accounts, one of the worst teams in the NFL last season, could be in the same conversation as the Eagles, Chiefs, and 49ers, but here we are. According to Warren Sharp, the Bears scored the second-most total points (107) on the first drive of either half during the 2022 season. They were only behind the Philadelphia Eagles, who had 113 total points on the first drives in either half.
total points scored on the 1st drive of either half last year:
113 – PHI
107 – CHI
104 – SF
100 – KC
93 – LV
92 – JAX
86 – SEA
85 – BUF*
82 – DET
81 – NO
80 – MIA
78 – LAC
77 – CIN*
75 – CLE
74 – DAL, NE
68 – MIN
67 – ATL, CAR
65 – TEN
57 – DEN
56…— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) May 8, 2023
According to Sharp, the Bears scored 70.6 percent of their opening drives, which was the most in the NFL. Overall, the Bears’ opening drives ranked No. 1 in fewest punts per drive, No. 3 in most points per drive, No. 4 in drives to reach the red zone, and No. 4 in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play.
That news comes as a surprise considering the Bears held the league’s worst record and were slated to pick first overall before trading that selection to the Panthers.
Under offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the Bears were a powerhouse during the game’s opening script but consistently failed to piece together drives beyond the first in either half. The porous defense didn’t help, either. The Bears ranked 23rd in points per game and 28th in yards per game, which explains the team’s 3-14 record.
The NFL world reacted to the insane Bears news on social media:
The #Bears only trailed the #Eagles by 6 points in points scored on the opening drive of the first and second half.
That was with a subpar offense, can’t wait for this season 🥵 https://t.co/PuwJbJ7DXI
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) May 8, 2023
That what I be saying Getsy always came out with a great 1st drive then after that went down hill especially in that RedZone area https://t.co/AQX10FIkjA
— Trey (7-9) (@TreyDaBearsFan) May 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/AaryanS19/status/1655625369708376091?s=20
Shout out to Luke Getsy.
How are the Bears #2 on this list? Justin Fields that’s how. He has weapons. OL looks better on paper, a lot depends on Braxton.
Keep sleeping https://t.co/76IPbGnhTr
— EJ 🇺🇸 (@itsmine49) May 8, 2023
So many people wanted Getsy fired last year though. 🤔 https://t.co/6Ldb9TXagQ
— Let’s go Bears (@letsgochibears) May 8, 2023
Getsys scripting is so elite LOL https://t.co/cEjYB4QlDV
— Evan (@GeorgasEvan) May 8, 2023
When you hear people say things like “this was the best 3-14 team I’ve ever seen” things like this are why. Getsy knew how to scheme. Now he has the horses to compete throughout the entire game. https://t.co/E1EMp2wMSo
— Who Knows What SZN It Is (@It_Me_Who_Dis) May 8, 2023
All tanking jokes asides, it was absolutely fascinating just how easily the Bears could score against every opponent on the first drive https://t.co/OkuthfjBrX
— DaWindyCity Productions (@dwcprodz) May 8, 2023
Now that the team has built around quarterback Justin Fields, perhaps this is a sign of things to come for the team’s offense in 2023 and beyond.
