Until Matt Nagy showed up last year, Preseason Week 3 had long been considered the a dress rehearsal for the real thing. Starters would play into the third quarter, while reserves would try to play their way onto the roster in relief down the stretch. But because Nagy is running the show in Chicago, things are different and we have to think of preseason differently. HOWEVER, are things that different.
OK, they’re pretty different. There is a drop-off from the starters to the second unit, but Preseason Week 3 still has the same vibes. We still have players (on both sides) looking to use the preseason as a jumping-off point for their careers. Preseason Week 3 provides a unique opportunity for players to make their case for inclusion on the season-opening 53-man roster. And because we know how valuable depth can be, the Bears should take this time seriously and evaluate their reserves to the fullest. So when it comes to having the best 53 on the roster, they’ll be best positioned to make it happen because of the extended looks players received in a game like this one.
Go get ’em, gang!
Game Info
Chicago Bears (2018: 12-4, 1st NFC North) at Indianapolis Colts (2018: 10-6, 2nd AFC South) – FOX-TV (Adam Amin, Jim Miller), NFL Network; WBBM-AM 780, FM 105.9 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Mark Grote)
Site: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, Indiana
Referee: Alex Kemp
Odds: Colts -2.5 (via Bovada.lv)
Game Thread
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun. And hopefully, we can get some good times rolling in the preseason and keep them going into the regular season.
Coaches
Bears Matt Nagy (12-4) vs. Colts Frank Reich (10-6)
Projected Week 1 Starting Quarterbacks
Bears: Mitch Trubisky: 3,223 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 66.6 completion percentage, 95.4 quarterback rating (14 games in 2018)
versus
Colts: Andrew Luck: 4,593 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 67.3 completion percentage, 98.7 passer rating (16 games in 2018)