NEWSLETTER
Mitch Trubisky hasn’t thrown a pass in a game of consequence since January 6 … and Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy is completely fine with that. In fact, by the time Trubisky throws one this evening, 242 days will have passed since his last throw in a competitive atmosphere. Couple that with Nagy scaling back some of the playbook this summer is a cause for concern in some corners. But not in Nagy’s world.
Nagy and the offensive coaching staff threw everything on Trubisky’s plate to see what he can handle during training camp. From there, the team discarded things that didn’t work to focus on things that did. What Trubisky soaked up in knowledge this summer will be learned by our watching eyes starting tonight against the Packers. Because the last time we saw Trubisky, he was making some baller throws in what was Allen Robinson’s best game as a Bear (so far). I haven’t seen Trubisky unleash the cannon since training camp, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he looks like to start the season.
For all the talk about what Trubisky hasn’t done, doesn’t have, and the general unknown of what is to come, we *DO* know Trubisky has high-end athleticism, breath-taking playmaking ability, a knack to create something out of nothing, and the leadership qualities to be great. The Bears say they are Chasing Greatness. And if they catch it, it will be because Trubisky will have taken the next step in his development.
The ball is yours, #10. Let’s see what you do can with it.
“Never Tell Me The Odds:”
The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas lists the Bears as 3-point favorites with an over/under set at 46.5. Chicago was 9-4 against the spread as a favorite, while Green Bay was 2-4-1 as an underdog. For what it’s worth, the UNDER came in more often (9 times) than the over (8) in Bears games last season.
Series History:
The Bears trail the Packers 94-96-6 in the all-time series. Green Bay had won five-in-a-row before Chicago snapped the skid at Soldier Field en route to clinching the NFC North and eliminating their rivals from Wisconsin from playoff contention in one fell swoop. It was pretty neat.
Game Time, Broadcast Info, Officiating Crew:
Location: Soldier Field
Broadcast Info: Thursday, September 5 at 7:20 CT on NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tafoya), WBBM-AM 780 and WCFS-FM 105.9 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Mark Grote), Westwood Radio (Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner, Hub Arkush)
Referee: Tony Corrente
Expected Starters and Lineups:
Bears Offense Expected Starters:
Bears Defense Expected Starters:
Bears Specialists:
Packers Offense Expected Starters:
Packers Defense Expected Starters:
Packers Specialists:
Keep An Eye On …
Bears Offense: David Montgomery should get a chance to make a strong first impression in his first regular-season game as a pro. Montgomery hasn’t suited up since the preseason opener, in which he dazzled and impressed in limited snaps. Jordan Howard averaged 4.7 yards per carry in two games, while Tarik Cohen complied 96 scrimmage yards on 20 total touches against the Packers last year. If Montgomery can be a dual threat option who can run it and be a playmaker out of the backfield, he could eclipse those numbers on his own.
Bears Defense: Khalil Mack made his debut in the Bears-Packers rivalry a year ago and absolutely balled the heck out, And in the rematch, Mack throttled the Packers as the Bears clinched the division. Last year, Mack came up with 3.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 3 quarterback hits, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery, and a pick-six in two games against Green Bay. If you extrapolate those numbers over 16 games, you would be looking at the future NFL Defensive Player of the Year recipient and possible league MVP candidate.
Packers Offense: Aaron Rodgers orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history in the season-opener last year. Having witnessed it with my own eyes in Lambeau Field, I can firmly say it’s something I never want to see happen again. Rodgers has a 105.9 passer rating and a 4.5-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio in 21 career regular season games against the Bears. Stop him, please.
Packers Defense: Adrian Amos revenge game SZN? Amos wanted to come back to the Bears, but the team decided against shelling out the type of big-money deal the Packers gave him and instead turned to Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on a one-year “prove it” deal. Amos has a lot to prove to his new teammates, former employer, and fans on both sides of the aisle.
