The Chicago Bears were fortunate to avoid a letdown against the San Francisco 49ers, meaning that a bye into the divisional round of the playoffs remains a possibility. They need the Los Angeles Rams to lose to the Niners in week 17 to make it happen though. How should the team approach this week’s tilt against the Minnesota Vikings?
Chicago Bears Avoid Letdown and Remain Alive for a Bye
The Trap Was Set
Chicago – All the signs were there. Two big wins back-to-back? Check. On the road against an undermanned opponent? Double check. Instead of faltering, the Bears took another step in their evolution on Sunday. They avoided overlooking an opponent with a division game next week to close out the season. It is not as if this was a distant issue either; they lost to the New York Giants in the Meadowlands three weeks ago. The defense had shown cracks late in games since earlier in the year.
Of course, that was before. Before the team got its starting quarterback back under center and ripped off a pair of wins; one against the current two-seed Rams and the other taking down the longtime-bully Green Bay Packers. That was before said quarterback bounced back from an awful game versus the Rams, to outduel perhaps the most talented quarterback of our generation in Aaron Rodgers the next. There was both in this game, but more of the later; even though this exchange between quarterback and coach would suggest otherwise.
Old Habits, New Trends
As has been the case all season, Mitchell Trubisky was a mixed bag. There were lows, such as a would-be interception in the end zone that was nullified by a penalty. Or the fumble on the botched screen to Tarik Cohen. There were also highs, like his touchdown to Anthony Miller and the fact that he was 25 of 29 passes. Albeit mostly on short throws, it was nice to see Trubisky find a rhythm in the passing game. Most importantly, with the game on the line, the ball was put in Trubisky’s hands and he delivered. A strike to Allen Robinson should have been enough, but the receiver had the ball knocked out. It was a rare but untimely occurrence; like when the Bears could not avoid the letdown against the Miami Dolphins.
That is where this team has evolved. They have shown the signs the past few games. Like when they closed out the Packers this time. After the sluggish start to the game, and with Minnesota looming, it was good to see the team shake off the mistakes and miscues. Jordan Howard looks to be coming around at the perfect time, perhaps due to extra effort being made to jumpstart the former workhorse. The Bears never really go into a conservative offense so those wishing to see Howard carry 25-plus times may need extenuating circumstances.
Old Faithful
The defense was disruptive minus safety Eddie Jackson, knocking down several of Niners’ quarterback Nick Mullens‘ passes. That will be something to monitor against Kirk Cousins, who also has a lot of passes batted at the line. It was not the best game but it was a needed game. The Bears inarguably came out flat but responded nicely. Especially since the Niners have had success moving the ball despite injuries everywhere. Scoring is where they lack as evidenced by a trio of former-Bear Robbie Gould field goals being their only source of production. That was not an issue with the Vikings who scored 27 on the road to avoid a letdown of their own, albeit against the Detroit Lions.
What To Do?
On the plus side, at this point, the Bears have won varying types of games – close, blowout, comeback, avoiding the letdown. Pretty much the entire gambit. Now with a trip to face a Vikings team needing a win, how do the Bears manage week 17? They play at the same time as Los Angeles so wait-and-see is not an option. They will likely start as usual, then depending on the look of the Rams and 49ers game at halftime, make adjustments. With the likelihood of Los Angeles putting that game away being high, should Nagy even risk it?
Minnesota safety Harrison Smith took Trubisky out for two weeks with a late hit the last time these teams met. The second-year quarterback also took a nasty late-hit yesterday while sliding. Jackson is already out. Robinson could need to sit as well.
How can the Bears avoid a letdown this week? Is it worth the risk to go for the long shot? The team will surely argue that they have been a long shot the entire season, and Nagy has alluded to it being all systems go. Week 17 still has so much intrigue.
