While the Chicago Bears have struggled to generate victories, DJ Moore has been superb in his first season with the NFC North squad. In their last game against the Minnesota Vikings alone, Moore’s 36-yard reception helped Cairo Santos drill the game-winning field goal to improve their mark at 4-8.

From an individual standpoint, that reception helped Moore reach the 1,000-receiving-yard mark with five games left to play. The centerpiece of the trade between the Bears and the Carolina Panthers in this year’s NFL Draft has 70 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns through 12 games.

It’s the fourth time he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in six seasons. Reaching the feat in 12 games ties him for the second-fastest rate to get that mark in Bears history since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

Moore’s total puts him fifth among wideouts with the most receiving yards, trailing Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, CeeDee Lamb, and A.J. Brown. Maintaining the pace that he’s currently at could give Moore 1,400 yards at the regular season’s end. His career high is 1,193 yards, set in 2020.

Moore’s vital Week 12 reception helped him finish with 11 receptions for 114 yards. It’s his fourth 100-yard game, including his eight-reception, 230-yard game in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. He also had a 104-yard game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a 131-yard game versus the Denver Broncos.

The six-year veteran from Maryland is on a hot streak over the last two games, as he had seven catches for 96 yards in their loss to the Detroit Lions.

DJ Moore has more opportunities to help the Bears win and elevate his stats. After their Week 13 bye, they will face the Lions at home before visiting the Cleveland Browns. The Bears will have consecutive home games against the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons before closing the regular season at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.

-Lance Fernandez