Are the Chicago Bears fool’s gold heading into Lambeau?
By James Torres
The Chicago Bears head North in an attempt to salvage their season riding a three-game hot streak. The only thing standing in their way is Aaron Rodgers and the first place Packers.
The Chicago Bears (7-6) are finally clicking after a tumultuous eight-week start that included a four-game losing streak. The Bears are finding their stride before a must-win encounter with Chicago-nemesis Aaron Rogers in Green Bay.
Chicago no longer controls its destiny for a playoff bid. In fact, they need a lot of help even if they win out against the Packers, Chiefs, and Vikings. The Bears dug themselves into an early hole for a variety of reasons.
One major point that isn’t getting nearly as much attention is the barrage of injuries they have suffered. Key injuries to Kyle Long, Trey Burton, Akiem Hicks, and Danny Trevathan set the team back. The recent loss of budding star Roquan Smith may be the nail in the coffin. This is the exact opposite situation they found themselves heading into Week 15 a year ago.
Luckily, Mitch Trubisky seems to have found his footing within this offense. Or has he? He has helped lead a three-game win streak or four of the last five games. Three of those games were against league bottom feeders.
However, he did lead an impressive onslaught at Soldier Field against the first-place Cowboys (6-7). He finished the game having completed 74.2 percent of his passes with an astounding 7.9 average attempt. He now has 11 touchdowns in his last five games with a 4-1 record.
“Trubisky is 5-0 in December. He’s like the Lexus commercial with the bow on it. He only comes alive in December, you don’t see it any other time of year.”@TheCousinSal explains why 4 points might be too many points for the Packers against the Bearspic.twitter.com/IcTvgesoYR
— FS1 (@FS1) December 13, 2019
His recent surge may not be gaining traction. Historically, Trubisky plays well late in the season, particularly in December as the above tweet highlights. There is no doubt he is playing the best football of the season, but…
“Are Bears fans getting their hopes up only to be let down?”
Chicago sits behind Minnesota and the Rams in the Wild Card race. One game remains against the Vikings in Week 17, they can only hope that game will still have some meaning. Not if the Packers have anything to say about it. The Bears have lost six of the last seven to Green Bay including back to back season openers in heartbreaking fashion.
Hicks may be their last hope.
Akiem Hicks is set to return to the lineup this week. If so, he will free up Khalil Mack. It is a big if but if Mack can get help the Bears have a fighting chance. Hicks will also immediately improve the run defense with his overpowering presence alone. He brings hope to the entire defensive unit.
Just look at former Packer Ha Ha Clinton-Dix about it,
Same, @haha_cd6. pic.twitter.com/ttrBXKoG3D
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) December 12, 2019
The resiliency of this locker room has been nothing short of a miracle. The strong characteristics of leadership within the walls of Halas Hall are impressive. The inconsistency on offense alone would have been enough to cause mutiny in other cities. Matt Nagy’s power of positivity must be rubbing off. Not one player has veered from the brotherhood that is the Chicago Bears.
The fanbase can only hope this resonates into not one, not two, but three more wins to close out this season. Nagy needs to dial up his best game plan in order to keep the dream alive.