Mitchell Trubisky enjoyed one of his best games of the season on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. He completed 25 of 29 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown to Anthony Miller. More importantly, he led the Chicago Bears to a victory. Winning on the road is huge, no matter who the opponent is. However, Trubisky and the Bears face a more difficult task this week. They get a Minnesota Vikings squad who need a win to clinch a playoff berth. This will be the Bears toughest road game of the year. Minnesota is a very challenging place to play, and with so much at stake, the fans will for sure be jacked up for this contest. This is a big test for Trubisky. He will be playing in a playoff environment on the road, something the Bears are going to have to do if they want to make it to the Super Bowl.
Mitchell Trubisky Faces Big Game Against Minnesota Vikings Defense
Mitchell Trubisky vs. Stout Vikings Defense
In his first game against the Vikings, Trubisky struggled mightily. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown, while also throwing two interceptions. Fortunately, the Bears were able to win, thanks in part to another dominating defensive performance. The Vikings have star power at every level. Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen provide one of the most dangerous pass rush duos in all of football. Anthony Barr is freakishly athletic and causes major problems for opposing players. Harrison Smith has great instincts, and also has the ability to hit hard. Xavier Rhodes length and athleticism make him one of the most difficult guys to throw on in the game. So Trubisky has his work cut out for him on Sunday.
Trubisky Can’t Force Throws
Like every young quarterback, Trubisky has the confidence that he can make every throw. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s something he needs to learn as he continues to develop. He’s improved a lot over the season, but he still has a tendency to force throws into extremely tight windows. This leads to interceptions and puts the defense in the difficult position of trying to stop the opposing offense on a short field. Minnesota has play-makers all over the field who are going to try and bait Trubisky into making bad throws. If it isn’t there, Trubisky needs to scramble out of the pocket and throw it away, or even take a sack.
Trubisky Needs to go Through Progressions
For most of the year, Trubisky has been a one read quarterback. Again, this isn’t a horrible thing, but he’s going to need to learn how to go through progressions. Playing against a strong secondary, the first read probably won’t be there most of the time. Instead of giving up and trying to scramble, and risk getting injured, he needs to check his other routes to see if they’re open. If they’re not available, that’s when you try to run or throw it away. If he’s able to start learning progressions, he will only continue to grow as a player.
The Last Word on Trubisky
This is going to be a big game for the young Trubisky. He has to deal with a loud, hostile crowd, a very stout defense, and one of the best defensive minds in the game, who will make things extremely difficult on him. Win or lose, this will be big for Trubisky. Look at this like a playoff game for the Bears. It will provide Trubisky great experience, as they will be playing in difficult road games if they advance on.
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