The last time we met for Pre-Gamin’, Mitch Trubisky was a question mark.
Trubisky was heading into a game against a Buccaneers defense that had allowed quarterbacks to complete 77.9 percent of their passes and post a 117.1 passer rating. If there was a time for Trubisky to break out, that was it. And as fate would have it, Trubisky did just that as he completed 73.1 percent of his passes, threw for 354 yards, six touchdowns, and posted a 154.6 passer rating. So what does he do for an encore?
First, the all-important #SleeveWatch update:
WHITE HOT.#TeamArmSleeve pic.twitter.com/Jxd0pEpHH9
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 14, 2018
So what can we expect out of Trubisky moving forward?
Trubisky’s six-touchdown performance has raised expectations and could put pressure on the second-year quarterback to perform. But that’s a good thing, because pressure situations suggest that something great is expected from you. There was pressure on Trubisky to perform in Week 4 and he did just that, now it’s on Trubisky to stack strong showings. Not that anyone is going to expect six touchdowns per week, but Trubisky needs to continue to throw the ball deep with confidence, read through his progressions quickly, limit mistakes, and make winning plays.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon ranked Trubisky as the fifth best quarterback under 25, citing his makeup and upside as reasons to believe in his future. Trubisky is at a crossroads now, needing to show he can do it again and again. For that to happen, it will have to start against a Dolphins defense that has intercepted two passes in four of their first five games. Sure, opposing quarterbacks have averaged 300.3 passing yards in the last four weeks … but Tom Brady is the only one to throw for multiple touchdowns in that stretch.
Trubisky doesn’t have to be Brady, but he needs to build on his Week 4 performance.
Game Info
Chicago Bears (3-1, 1st NFC North) at Miami Dolphins (3-2, t-1st AFC East) – noon CT, FOX, WBBM-AM 780, WCFS-FM 105.9
Odds: Bears (-7), Over/Under 40.5, via the Westgate Superbook in Las Vegas.
Note: The Bears opened the week as 2-point favorites on Monday.
Game Thread and Week 6 Preview
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun. And hopefully, we can keep the good times rolling as the Bears try to get their first four-game win streak of the Matt Nagy era.
Your Week 6 Preview lives here.
Coaches
Matt Nagy (3-1) vs. Adam Gase (19-18)
Starting Quarterbacks
Bears: Mitch Trubisky
Last week: 19-26, 354 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT, 154.6 rating
versus
Dolphins: Brock Osweiler
Career: 59.3 completion percentage, 6,206 yards, 32 TD, 27 INT, 77.0 rating
Bears Inactives
#Bears Inactives at Dolphins:
No. 31 Marcus Cooper, Sr.
No. 46 Michael Burton
No. 49 Kylie Fitts
No. 69 Rashaad Coward
No. 78 Bryan Witzmann
No. 83 Javon Wims
No. 97 Nick Williams#CHIvsMIA | #DaBears— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 14, 2018
With Sam Acho on injured reserve, fellow outside linebacker Isaiah Irving takes his spot on the active roster and will presumably step into a role as reserve edge defender and special teams contributor.
Bears Expected Offensive Starters
Bears Expected Defensive Starters
Bears Specialists
Dolphins Inactives:
Today’s inactives for #CHIvsMIA. pic.twitter.com/rzEHMAWkQP
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 14, 2018
In addition to Tannehill’s absence, the Dolphins will be without top pass-rusher Cameron Wake and starting cornerback Bobby McCain. Charles Leno Jr.’s job just became a bit easier.