Trimming Trubisky’s Turnovers, Learning from Sanchez, Defense to the Rescue, and Other Bullets

If the Chicago Bears find a way to score more offensive touchdowns in the second half, maybe they can have celebrations that rival this one from the Philadelphia Eagles:

  • The first step toward more unique celebrations will be to get the offense in order. It starts with rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who Kyle Crabbs of FanRag Sports writes had one of the four worst rookie performances of Week 8.  Trubisky hasn’t been asked to do much in his four weeks as a starter, but has thrown soul-crushing, game-clinching interceptions when he has been asked to win games int he fourth quarter. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Bears’ offensive brain trust, which is tasked with developing a game plan to aid in developing their quarterback and aid a top-notch defense in winning games.
  • JJ Stankevitz of NBC Sports Chicago writes a major part of Trubisky’s development continues to be ball control. Even though Trubisky hasn’t shown a mastery of the Bears’ offense just yet, he has (for the most part) been able to keep the team in games because he hasn’t thrown interceptions. Trubisky’s 2.5 percent interception rate is an improvement from Mike Glennon’s 3.5 percent rate. And if you’ll recall, Glennon’s struggles with limiting turnovers ultimately led to his benching.
  • Mark Sanchez hasn’t played a regular season down for the Bears and hasn’t even been on the 46-man active roster for any of the team’s eight games. But that hasn’t kept him from having a positive impact on Trubisky’s development. Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times looks at what Sanchez brings to the table as a third-string quarterback. This is the second consecutive year in which Sanchez has played an advisory role, doing so last year with Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. The re-worked Bears quarterback room hasn’t yielded the kind of results in the box scores one would hope for, but expectations should be tempered with a rookie quarterback under center.
  • Defensively, the Bears are getting it done all over the field. The secondary is much improved from 2016, thanks in part to cornerback Prince Amukamara. In his weekly observations at Pro Football Focus, Nathan Jahnke notes that Amukamara hasn’t been thrown at during 50 coverage snaps in the fourth quarter. That makes his 0.0 yards per coverage snap in the fourth the best among NFL cornerbacks.
  • The Bears aren’t playing on Sunday, but if they were, they would have the NFL’s second best safety by PFF’s standards. Bryson Vesnaver breaks down the 10 best safeties entering Week 9, which features Adrian Amos as No. 2. Only Harrison Smith of the Minnesota Vikings ranks higher. Amos has 17 solo stops, which is the sixth most among safeties, but he has improved by leaps and bounds in coverage. The third-year safety from Penn State is allowing just 0.21 yards per coverage snap, which is the 11th best among qualifying safeties.
  • Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton found himself on the trading block, but ultimately stayed put when the Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline pass. Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star explains Hilton’s lack of production isn’t all his fault. Several factors have played into the decline in production, though missing Andrew Luck should be at the top of that list. Whether Hilton’s name is dangled in trade talks after the season ends remains to be seen, but the winds of change could be circling Indianapolis during the offseason.
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Defensive Linemen

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    And Now Penei Sewell Has Signed a MASSIVE Extension With The Lions

    Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...

    Take a Look at the New Chicago Bears Stadium Renderings

    The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...

    Amon-Ra St. Brown Signs MASSIVE Extention With Lions

    We have a new highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL! According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Lions have made Amon-Ra St. Brown the richest wideout in the NFL with a four-year, $120 million contract extension...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Offensive Linemen

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    Stadium Stuff, Rome and Caleb, New Bears Hires, and Other Bears Bullets

    The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away. Soon, we'll get to hear those magic words: "The Chicago Bears are on the clock." And they'll mean something! ICYMI: The Bears, who are set to have a press conference at...

    Ian Cunningham is Getting an Extension From the Bears

    Ian Cunningham is set to stick around for a little while longer. The Chicago Bears assistant general manager is getting some years tacked on to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. No details on how many more years are...

    The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

    If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

    Bears GM Ryan Poles Isn’t Necessarily Looking to Trade For More Draft Picks

    Ryan Poles has done well in creating a bevy of picks in each of his first two NFL Draft classes as Chicago Bears general manager. And even though the Bears have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft,...

    Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: 4.0

    We’re just over 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and all I can say is finally. Finally, we’re done with the speculation. I’ll never forget the Bears Twitter Civil War of 2024 centered around the Caleb Williams vs. Justin Fields...

    Latest News

    Mariners vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Thursday, looking for a series sweep, Caleb Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners (12-11) face Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers (12-12), with first pitch scheduled for 2:35 PM ET at Globe Life Field.If you're planning on watching this game,...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    The San Diego Padres (13-13), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, visit the Colorado Rockies (6-18) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming...

    2024 Las Vegas Raiders Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle & Cornerback

    The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Twins (9-13), led by Ryan Jeffers, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-20) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Minnesota-Chicago matchup.When...

    Astros vs. Cubs: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Justin Verlander takes the ball for the Houston Astros (7-17) when they visit starter Javier Assad and the Chicago Cubs (14-9) at 2:20 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Houston-Chicago matchup below.When is Astros vs....

    Royals vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Cole Ragans will take the mound for the Kansas City Royals (14-10) when they host starter Jose Berrios and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) in a rubber match on Thursday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.If you're trying to...

    Yankees vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (16-8) host Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-15) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 7:05 PM ET.Find out how to watch the New York-Oakland matchup below.When is Yankees...

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    Phillies vs. Reds: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Alec Bohm and the Philadelphia Phillies (15-9) visit Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 1:10 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to...

    Brewers vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Milwaukee Brewers (14-8), led by William Contreras, visit Connor Joe and the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11) at 12:35 PM ET on Thursday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Milwaukee take on Pittsburgh live.When is Brewers...

    more bears news