About The Chicago Bears...

January 1, 2019

The Chicago Bears capped a spectacular season with an impressive 24-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. A Vikings, win would have earned them a spot in the playoffs with the first game against the Bears. The Bears’ win ensured them that they wouldn’t have to play a third game against the Vikings this season right after losing to them.

I don’t think anyone predicted the Bears would win 12 games this year. After hiring Coach Matt Nagy, he and General Manager Ryan Pace said to temper expectations. Nagy was brought in to develop quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Pace signed free agents on offense to assist Nagy’s efforts to revitalize the offense. Toward the end of the exhibition season, they traded for All-Pro defenseman Khalil Mack. . All of a sudden, expectations were raised, although still most thought they wouldn’t go 12-4. Adding Mack to a good defense made this an elite defense, which is the biggest reason for the Bear’s turnaround from worst to first.

The defense had another great game against the Vikings. While the Bears’ offense was clicking, the Vikings went three-and- out on their first five possessions. The defense would give up only 10 points. The defensive line caused Viking’s quarterback Kirk Cousins to have a terrible afternoon. The defensive pressure on the quarterback is part of the reason the Bears lead the league in interceptions.

In a hostile environment against one of the league’s premiere defenses, Mitch Trubisky had one of his best performances. His numbers may look pedestrian (18-26 163 yards); however, he was error- free and good when he needed to be. The Vikings are the best team in preventing opponents’ third-down conversions at 28 percent. Yet, the Bears were 8 for 14. Trubisky completed seven passes for first downs and ran for another. On the ground, the Bears had their best rushing game of the year. Running back Jordan Howard looks like he has regained his old form with 21 carries for 109 yards, including two first-half barreling touchdowns. This accounted for 13 points as woeful kicker Cody Parkey, who barely made his first extra point, kicked his second attempt off the goal post. After the Vikings cut the lead to 13-10, the Bears took nine minutes off the clock and Tarik Cohen ran it in for a 3- yard touchdown. Instead of sending Parkey in for the extra point, Nagy decided to go for two. He is excellent in these situations as the Bears converted on a pass to reserve linebacker Nick Kwiatktski.

 The Vikings’ offense floundered the rest of the game, causing heated conversations between Cousins and his receivers on the sidelines. The Bears tacked on a field goal for good measure. The focus of the offense has been the progress of Trubisky, but kudos go to the offensive line for giving him the protection he needs. The offensive performance bodes well for the playoffs.

When the Bears beat Minnesota on a Sunday night in a game for first place, I started to think playoffs. After beating the L.A. Rams on a Sunday night, I was thinking maybe they could make a run in the playoffs. The Bears open up at home, where they are 7-1, against the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. Under backup quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, the Eagles have a three- game winning streak that propelled them into the playoffs. Not to worry: the Bears are 9-1 in their last 10 games. The Eagles have not faced a defense like the Bears. The Bears who, won’t need Trubisky to be great, but just efficient. I think the Eagles don’t score more than 13 points