Cue the Undertaker GIFs. Just when it looked like Justin Fields couldn't make it work with the Chicago Bears, the former first-round pick flipped a switch.
It started last week against the Broncos when Fields and the Bears offense built a 28-7. Obviously, that fell apart as Chicago blew the lead and lost the game. But there was a spark there.
Proof of that emerged immediately on Thursday Night Football. Fields was feeling it again in the first half, leading picture-perfect drives down the field for touchdowns.
The Bears jumped out to a 27-3 lead over Washington and NFL Twitter had things to say about the quarterback leading the way with three touchdown passes.
Best memes and tweets after Justin Fields went off on TNF
Justin Fields last 5.5 quarters:
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 6, 2023
40/49 for 515 yards 6 TDs 1 INT #DaBears #Bears
Justin Fields ever since the Bears sent Chase Claypool home pic.twitter.com/5qAn7gdG1y
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 6, 2023
Maybe Justin Fields is just allergic to September because that throw to Kmet was well on time.
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) October 6, 2023
Or maybe it was all Chase Claypool’s fault. We can roll with that too.
DJ Moore is an animal. Justin Fields slinging it all over the place. This is wild to watch against a good defense. #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) October 6, 2023
Justin Fields throwing balls to wide open Darnell Mooney vs Justin Fields throwing to a wide open DJ Moore pic.twitter.com/nBsG9Gz7D0
— Jake Anderson (@jake_anderson44) October 6, 2023
Justin Fields and DJ Moore against the Commanders pic.twitter.com/7WcV0Y2U8M
— 𝓙𝓡 (@JJR0004_) October 6, 2023
“#Bears QB Justin Fields can’t throw the ball.”
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) October 6, 2023
Justin: pic.twitter.com/GKWL4c2pYy
After the Bears started 0-3, Chicago getting the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and using it on Caleb Williams seemed inevitable. However, the necessity of taking a quarterback in the draft is being undercut by Fields' performance over the last two weeks. He looks like a viable NFL starter.
Of course, there's still a difference between Fields, a viable starter, and Williams, who looks like a generational NFL prospect. So if Fields wants to keep his job as the starting quarterback in Chicago, he needs to lead the Bears to as many victories as possible.
His performances early in the season were a detriment towards winning. His performances against the Broncos and Commanders have actually given the Bears a chance and more.
In the first half, Fields was 12-of-20 for 189 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 27 yards on six carries. Khalil Herbert was a beast on the ground as well with 76 yards on nine carries, including a 34-yard romp.
DJ Moore made the most of his first-half opportunities. He had 137 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions.
The question now is whether Chicago can follow through with an equally strong second-half performance to grab their first victory of the season.