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Player who must step up: QB Justin Fields

The rookie is dealing with cracked ribs, so it remains to be seen if and/or when he can play again this season. But the Bears would surely like to get more of a look at him as they plan for next season. Whether there's a new coach and/or a new general manager, they still need to find out what kind of player they have. -- Rob Demovsky

It's hard to get very excited about watching the Bears right now, as the mostly quiet crowd at Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon will surely attest. Chicago is pretty much out of the NFC playoff picture, the embattled head coach seems like he's on a countdown clock to Jan. 10 and Justin Fields' injured ribs have kept him out of the lineup for two weeks and counting. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton made some unwelcome personal history against the Cardinals, tying a career high with four interceptions that led to 23 Arizona points. That's six losses in seven games for the Mouses of the Midway.

It's time to get Justin Fields back on the field. Andy Dalton was bad against the Cardinals.

League's worst passing offense will likely be forced to put ball in the air frequently during Sunday night's trip to Lambeau Field.

Best-case scenario: Any best-case scenario for the Bears comes with the caveat that nothing is going to be good enough to save Matt Nagy. That said, it would benefit the next Bears coaching staff if Justin Fields can come back from his cracked ribs and use the final month continuing to learn how to read defenses and working on his timing with his receivers. Fields' growth will be instrumental in any success the Bears are going to have in the future, so every game matters in the development of the former Ohio State standout.