You are what your record says you are, but the Bears know they can’t be deceived by the 2-7 Giants on Sunday.
The Giants have lost their last three games to the Broncos (8-2), Eagles (6-2) and 49ers (6-3), three teams with a combined 20-7 record. In fact, the Giants have more victories against winning teams this season — the Chargers (6-3) and Eagles (6-2) — than the Bears, who have zero.
‘‘This is a good team coming in here,’’ head coach Ben Johnson said. ‘‘I know what their record says and I know I’ve been saying that for the past few weeks, but you talk about a really talented group. . . . Since they made the quarterback change, you can tell [rookie Jaxson Dart is] really giving them a spark.
‘‘Their offense can score some points, and they have playmakers. And defensively, you could argue this is the best defensive front that we’ve seen so far this year. So huge challenge at hand. We’re going to have to be on our stuff.’’
That’s not just bluster. After the Ravens with Tyler Huntley and the Bengals with Joe Flacco beat the Bears’ defense, Dart is absolutely a threat. Almost anybody is.
It’s on the other side of the ball where the Bears should take care of business. The Giants’ impressive defensive front — with Brian Burns (an NFL-best 11 sacks), Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence — wasn’t enough to prevent the Broncos (33 points), Eagles (38) and 49ers (34) from scoring two touchdowns or more above their season average against the Giants.
Johnson’s offense is primed for similar success, weather permitting.
There has been an excitement about the Ben Johnson Effect since the day he was hired. Now there’s a confidence his offense can put the same hurt on vulnerable defenses as anyone else.
That confidence stems from the methodical, steady and consistent progress the Bears have made under him. The Bears are sixth in the NFL in points, fourth in yards and one of three teams in the top 10 in rushing (second) and passing (10th).
And they’re doing it without anyone playing out of his mind. Quarterback Caleb Williams is 19th in the NFL in passer rating (93.5). Running back D’Andre Swift is 20th in rushing (464 yards). Wide receiver Rome Odunze is 31st in receiving (473 yards).
The Bears scored 47 points last week with their leading rusher not playing and their leading receiver having no receptions. Yes, it came against a horrid Bengals defense without All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, but still. Prevous offenses under Marc Trestman and Matt Nagy at times had two quarterbacks, one running back and one wide receiver — not a recipe for sustained success. Johnson’s offense has one quarterback, two running backs and two (or more) wide receivers. That’s how you build an offense with staying power.
Even the threat of inclement weather at Soldier Field is less daunting with an offense becoming more and more founded in the run. The Bears are averaging 186.5 rushing yards in four games since the bye.
The Bears’ offense still has a lot to prove against better defenses, but their assignment Sunday is in Johnson’s wheelhouse.