The Chicago Bears will look to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. All the Bears need to do on Sunday is win and they clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2010. Clinching a playoff berth will be no small cookie, as they have to try and beat Aaron Rodgers, something they’ve struggled to do since Rodgers has been in the league. Both teams are coming off of big home wins. The Packers dominated the Atlanta Falcons, winning by a score of 34-20. Aaron Rodgers and the offense looked rejuvenated with new head coach Joe Philbin calling plays. The defense also played well, even returning a Matt Ryan interception for a touchdown. The Chicago Bears used a strong defensive performance to take down the dangerous Los Angeles Rams. They were able to pressure Jared Goff all night, forcing him to throw four interceptions. Todd Gurley also had one of his worst games of the season, as he was only able to compile 58 total yards on 14 touches.
Chicago Bears Look for Revenge on Rodgers
Week one of the NFL season saw the Bears dominate the Packers in the first half. They held the Packers scoreless, while Khalil Mack proved to everyone why he’s the highest paid defensive player. Aaron Rodgers was hurt on a sack, and he looked to be in an incredible amount of pain. Unfortunately for the Bears, the second half was a completely different story. Rodgers returned and put on a hall of fame type comeback performance. As a result, the Packers were able to shock the Bears 24-23. This is a completely different Bears team though. Matt Nagy will get the Bears ready to play this game. He is going to reiterate to his young team that not only can you clinch a playoff berth, you also get a chance to beat a team who has owned them for the past decade.
Mitchell Trubisky Needs to Play Better
Mitchell Trubisky returned Sunday after missing two games due to a right shoulder injury. He struggled all night. He missed multiple throws, overthrowing wide receivers to the tune of three interceptions. Mitchell can’t continue to make mistakes like this, because it gives teams great field position. If you give a good team good field position, they’re going to score points. The defense can only bail you out so much. Mitchell has great arm talent, and he has a great ability to improvise, but he needs to cut down on mistakes. He needs to play a role like Blake Bortles did last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Try and take as much pressure off the defense as he can.
Tackling Needs to Improve From Week One
In the second half, the Bears struggled to tackle, which led to the Packers picking apart their defense. On the go-ahead touchdown, they let Randall Cobb just waltz through the middle of the field. That’s inexcusable and can’t happen again. Green Bay likes to throw a lot of quick passes and let their receivers try to make moves to get past the defense. If the Bears secondary is able to wrap up and force short gains on plays like that, it puts the Packers in difficult third-down situations.
The Last Word
Soldier Field will be rocking on Sunday. The Bears have an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2010. The Green Bay Packers will look to play spoiler, and hand the Bears their fifth loss of the season. If Trubisky is able to play mistake-free football, and the defense is able to contain the short to intermediate passing game, the Bears will be playing in January.
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