6 NFL Playoff teams that won’t return to postseason in 2019
By Randy Gurzi
1. Chicago Bears
One of the surprise teams in 2018 was the Chicago Bears who unexpectedly took the NFC North crown with a 12-4 record. Rookie head coach Matt Nagy came in with an offensive background and did improve that side of the ball drastically, but it was the defense that led the way.
According to NFL.com, they were first in the NFL in points surrendered (17.7) and third in yards against (299.7). Of course, this all started with the high-profile trade in which they sent two first-round picks to the Oakland Raiders for pass rusher, and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Khalil Mack.
Their plan was simple, slow teams down with their suffocating defense and control the clock with the running game and an efficient offense. Heading into 2019, that should be the same plan but success won’t be as easy.
The Bears created an unnecessary hole by trading away Jordan Howard, their top rusher from the past three seasons. In exchange for Howard, they got just a 2020 sixth-round pick but then had to use their top draft pick on a replacement. Already without a first, or second round pick, Chicago used the No. 73 overall pick on Iowa State’s David Montgomery.
They were also fairly quiet in free agency, with their biggest move being the addition of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who really will just replace Adrain Amos.
Next. Gerald McCoy: Free agency landing spots. dark
In the end, the Bears didn’t get much better and will now have a tougher schedule. Not only that, but the Green Bay Packers should have a healthy Aaron Rodgers in 2019, making their path to the postseason incredibly difficult.