Chicago Bears: 3 players who could self-sabotage team vs. Packers
By Ryan Heckman
Three players in particular could sabotage the season for these Chicago Bears.
As the Chicago Bears prepare to take on the Green Bay Packers for all the marbles on Sunday, fans are nervous. Why? Because they’ve seen the good, bad and ugly from these Bears in the span of just one season.
It’s been a season of polar opposite emotions at different times, but if the Bears don’t get a win on Sunday, their season is over.
Chicago will need some major players to step up in order to beat Aaron Rodgers and the high-flying Packers offense. But, they’ll also have to continue scoring points like they have in recent games.
Essentially, everything has to go right for the Bears to make the postseason. But, three particular players could ruin the run Chicago has going right now.
1. The Chicago Bears could be hurt badly by Danny Trevathan
Early in the season, Danny Trevathan’s age showed. He looked like the clear-cut worst player on the field for Chicago’s defense for quite some time. His speed just wasn’t there anymore as he got beat over the middle by any and every receiving option, while he also fell short many times trying to bring down running backs within arms’ reach.
As the season has gone on, his play has improved a bit, He’s not the Trevathan of old, but he’s regained his footing just a bit.
This is a game where Trevathan cannot afford to let that age catch up once again. The Packers have a matchup nightmare in breakout tight end Robert Tonyan who already embarrassed Trevathan once this year (see above).
In their first matchup, Tonyan caught five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown — and he was hardly needed as the Packers blew Chicago out of the water. On the season, Tonyan has caught 10 touchdowns and has emerged as one of the top up-and-coming tight ends in the league.
Rodgers has historically destroyed the Bears defense over the middle; having his way with a guy like Trevathan and Chicago’s softer coverage. If Trevathan can’t come out and play one of the best games of his season on Sunday, Rodgers will continue that trend and Bears fans will be frustrated, as usual, with the lack of discipline in that area.