Chicago Bears: 5 X-factor players for Week 8 vs. Saints

4. Anthony Miller has an opportunity to come up big

There was such high hope for Anthony Miller this season. He had a great camp and showed some maturity. The coaching staff recognized that and felt this might be the season he put everything together.

Miller has the ability to be a very good wide receiver but he has games where he just disappears. As the season progresses, he’s remained the same inconsistent player. He had games in which he had game-winning catches then turns around the next week and drops one possible touchdown pass and another that could have extended a key drive.

As a result of his inconsistencies, rookie receiver Darnell Mooney has moved ahead of Miller. Mooney is playing in on more snaps and receiving more targets.

The Bears’ number one receiver, Allen Robinson, is in the league’s concussion protocol. His status won’t be known until close to game time. If he cannot play, Miller has a great opportunity to gain the coaches’ and Foles’ trust. He’ll be more involved in the offense without Robinson. If that’s the case, he needs to make big catches and help the offense.

Mooney will be the offense’s big-play man. He has blazing speed and runs great routes. There were a couple of times when he made some cuts and absolutely left the Rams’ cornerbacks, in his dust. That included All-World cornerback Jalen Ramsey. With the offensive line struggles, however, Foles wasn’t able to connect with him.

If Miller could make some catches underneath he could free Mooney for the deep ball (that is, of course, if the line cooperates). If he has another frustrating game, however, he’ll find himself deeper in the doghouse. Maybe then Riley Ridley finally gets a shot to play. But I digress…