Must be nice.
Having a clear position of need, and watching as your team makes a trade for an All-Pro to fill it in order to better compete in one of the most competitive divisions of all-time. And then going to one of the toughest home environments to play and immediately watching that move pay off as you double-up the defending Super Bowl champions on primetime.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Chicago Bears' hyper-aggressive move to acquire defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons will truly pay off long-term. Multiple first round picks is a lot to give up for anyone. Just ask how the Indianapolis Colts are doing after acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner.
But for one game, the Bears look like geniuses. Simmons was as advertised, picking up a sack to go along with six tackles and a pass deflection. Simmons impact on Monday went well beyond the box score. Per ESPN's Courtney Cronin, via Next Gen Stats, the Seattle Seahawks averaged 3.0 yards per play when Simmons was on the field. Not only that, but all three of the Bears' sacks and their interception as well.
When Simmons was off the field? 13.3 yards per play. QB Sam Darnold completed all five of his passes, picking up a touchdown along the way, when he didn't have to worry about Simmons. For the game as a whole, Darnold completed 50% of his passes.
It's true that this season's iteration of Darnold isn't the same as the one from the past two seasons. The Seahawks no longer have Kenneth Walker III in the run-game and the offensive line isn't strong, even after the acquisition of guard Quenton Nelson.
Still, the Bears' defense looked absolutely dominant on Monday and if this isn't a mirage, it's going to make winning the NFC North that much more difficult for the Detroit Lions.
Time for Brad Holmes to lock in
So the Bears made a move, and are still speculated to bring back Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack. The Minnesota Vikings are among the favorites to land Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, and could kick the tires on a QB upgrade. The Green Bay Packers have been name-dropped in just about every rumor as they try to fix everything besides the QB position.
Where does that leave the Lions? They, apparently, took a swing on a trade for CB Joey Porter Jr. before he was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys. There's been speculation about Philadelphia Eagles CB Riq Woolen, but nothing concrete yet.
It's been mostly radio silence. After a sudden influx of injuries, whatever the Lions may have been planning could've shifted dramatically since Sunday. On top of a CB, they now need to shore up the linebacker position, which they've already done a little bit by bringing in K.J. Britt from the New England Patriots' practice squad.
READ MORE: Cade Mays' Week 8 injury showed why a Juice Scruggs trade would be a terrible move
Their defense has also improved in recent weeks and safety Kerby Joseph is on track for an imminent return, which may compel general manager Brad Holmes to not be as eager to make a trade as other decision-makers in the NFC.
But he should be eager. He should be fired up to make a move after watching Simmons' perfect debut. The NFC is wide open to the point where all four NFC North teams may make the playoffs. And those other NFC North teams are getting stronger, too.
The Lions have shown their prowess in the division so far, starting 2-0, but how this next week goes could be the difference between 6-0 and 2-4. The difference between a deep playoff run or missing it entirely. Holmes cannot dictate what other teams do, but he has the power to respond.
Holmes has one week to make that response, and it better not include a white flag.
Add us as a preferred source on Google