NEWSLETTER
If we’re going to get over last week, we’re going to have to do it together.
Are you ready? Alright, let’s roll.
I can’t think of a better place or time to make a statement than on another prime-time stage for Mitch Trubisky, who played like he was shot out of a cannon to start Week 1 before fizzling out in the second half and comping up empty in the game’s waning moments. The Bears will go only as far as Trubisky takes them, and it looked like he could take them anywhere his heart desired after scoring 10 points on the first two drives of the game. But after leading the offense to just two field goals for the remainder of the game, questions about Trubisky’s skill and competence popped up in the wake of a soul-crushing loss.
Trubisky remains an unfinished product who will need to show some progress in Week 2 to recapture some of the faith from some disheartened Bears fans.
“Never Tell Me The Odds:”
The Bears opened as 3-point favorites at the Westgate Superbook in Las Vegas. The over/under for this game is 43, which is the second-lowest total for Week 2. Translation: Vegas thinks a defensive slugfest is in order for Monday night.
Series History:
The Seahawks own an 11-4 record against the Bears in regular season play, but Chicago has won the two playoff games these two teams have ever squared off in. Take that, Seattle! The Bears haven’t won a regular season home contest against Seattle since October 1, 2006. So … it’s been a while.
Game Time, Broadcast Info, Officiating Crew:
Location: Soldier Field
Broadcast Info: Monday, September 17th at 7:15 CT on ESPN (national) and ABC-7 (Chicago), WBBM-AM 780, WCFS-FM 105.9
Referee: Walt Coleman
Expected Starters and Lineups:
Bears Offense Expected Starters:
Bears Defense Expected Starters:
Bears Specialists:
Seahawks Offense Expected Starters:
Seahawks Defense Expected Starters:
Seahawks Specialists:
Hot or Not and Whom to Watch
Chicago Bears – Offense
Allen Robinson II was one misfire away from hauling in a touchdown in his Bears debut. And while Trubisky missed a would-be touchdown by over-shooting Robinson on a fade route in Week 1, he clearly trusts his top receiver. During Robinson’s last two healthy seasons, he was targeted 42 times in the red zone and caught 25 passes for 161 yards and 18 touchdowns. Clearly, he is due.
Chicago Bears – Defense
Roquan Smith is set to get more playing time on Monday after an eight-play cameo in Week 1. The Bears need Smith’s high-end athleticism and tip-top instincts to help slow down a passing game that could feature more of tight end Will Dissly, who earned PFF’s best grade for a tight end in Week 1. Smith was no slouch in coverage last year at Georgia, earning a 90.6 coverage grade from PFF in 2017.
Seattle Seahawks – Offense
Brandon Marshall is set to play at Soldier Field for the first time since 2014, a season that ultimately led to the end of the Phil Emery and Marc Trestman eras. Marshall put up huge numbers in Chicago, averaging 93 catches, 1,174 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns per season during his three-year run. There is probably a case that Marshall is the most talented receiver to ever put on a Bears uniform. But since we don’t want to make that case, we’ll leave it at that for now.
Seattle Seahawks – Defense
Earl Thomas returned from his offseason holdout in Week 1 and played 64 of the team’s 74 defensive snaps. Thomas is the last remaining member of the highly successful Legion of Boom and is the biggest threat to the Bears having a successful deep passing game. Thomas earned PFF’s highest mark (93.3) for a safety last week and has been graded out as an elite safety in two of the last three years. A word to the wise: don’t throw in his direction.
