It’s fair to say the Chicago Bears will attempt to pull off an almost impossible feat in Week 12. That is beating the Green Bay Packers. The Bears (5-5) watched their season slip into peril the last few weeks, a four-game losing streak taking them into their bye. Meanwhile, the perennially competitive Packers are 7-3 and with two of their three losses coming against strong playoff teams. The third was to the Minnesota Vikings who also beat the Bears so there is little to be gleaned from that.
Can Nagy, Bears Do the ‘Impossible’ This Week?
An Exercise in Futility
Just in case anyone is unclear, beating the Packers is far from impossible or even improbable for teams equipped to execute. A solid run game and a quarterback who takes care of the football are key. So is a defense that can keep the play in front of them, though the Bears have often had that last one with little to show for it.
We won’t delve into the Bears (ugly) record against the hated Packers over the last 30 years or so. Just know it ain’t pretty. Instead, we focus on Chicago’s 1-3 record under head coach Matt Nagy. They are the only division opponent Nagy has multiple losses to or doesn’t even have a winning record against. For those who remember Lovie Smith’s yearly pledge to “beat Green Bay”, this is painful stuff. Of course, Lovie lost his last six to Green Bay so maybe the sentiment is hollow.
Nagy is currently among the Bears last two head coaches in Marc Trestman and John Fox to beat the Packers once in their first season and fail to do so after. He can certainly change all that but it will be an uphill climb. Chicago is 31st in total yards and scoring offense and they are dead last in rushing offense. That last part is key for this matchup in keeping Aaron Rodgers (and your defense) off the field.
Reinforcements To the Rescue
Nick Foles being carted into the locker room with a hip injury seemed to sum up the Bears season. But reports are that he should be able to return sooner rather than later; possibly even this week. Should he not be able to go, however, it does sound as if Mitchell Trubisky will be able to return from his shoulder injury. The fact of the matter is Bears were more productive with Trubisky according to the raw numbers. Competition, among other things, is necessary context but after watching the Foles get whipped behind that offensive line, Trubisky’s legs are essential.
Quarterback isn’t the only position with health questions. Running back David Montgomery missed the Bears last contest with a concussion. In his stead, converted receiver and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson took 12 handoffs for 30 yards. Now, Montgomery took 14 handoffs against the Tennessee Titans for the same yardage but it was by far his least productive rushing day. If Chicago is to have a chance, a significant improvement from this backfield is needed.
Defensively, all eyes will be on the practice status of Akiem Hicks. The stud lineman suffered a hamstring injury against the Minnesota Vikings that knocked him out of the game. Fans will remember how badly the defense got gashed on the ground one Hicks went down last season. And if you don’t, note that Cook picked up 57 of his 96 yards in Week 10 with Hicks out of the game. Hicks’ presence is massive, both literally and figuratively.
Bears Reckoning with the Impossible
We have made sure to mention all the connections between the Bears and their opponents for each game this season, calling it a reckoning of sorts. They have been faced with the results of their own decisions and key opponents from the past week after week. From facing the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams for the third year in a row to facing Teddy Bridgewater, whom the Bears pursued in free agency, with the Carolina Panthers. Just wait until they face DeShaun Watson and the Texans or the narratives when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Bears have seen both of their (hand-picked) quarterbacks get injured with at least one due in part to a porous offensive line. Their strong defense has begun to slide in the counting metrics because they are always on the field. If this is how it ends for Nagy and general manager Ryan Pace in Chicago, this is a spectacular way to go out. Hoisted by their own petard. They should have little chance of surviving this debacle but there have been reports Pace may.
Chicago sees Green Bay again in Week 17 but this one is the big one. The Packers could be resting players by then. Now, though, they are in the midst of a playoff race, jockeying for home-field advantage. Would a loss to a team playing as well as the Packers are force Bears ownership to expedite the departure of this regime? With so few weeks remaining left in the season it seems unlikely. If they get embarrassed as many expect, though, who knows. Those up at Halas can only try to do the impossible this weekend.
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