Jeff Hughes | September 21st, 2017

Why Do I Like the Chicago Bears This Week?

I always like the Chicago Bears. But that hourglass has been flipped.

When Trubisky?

There are three possibilities, as I see it, for the Mitch Trubisky era to begin in Chicago.

Possibility #1: Monday night, October 9th – Vikings at home

Under this scenario, Mike Glennon eats the hardest four-game stretch of the Bears schedule (and subsequent 0-4 record). The Bears would then have 11 days to prepare Trubisky for the Vikings and they’d be able to create an event atmosphere at Soldier Field that night.

Possibility #2: Sunday, November 12th – Packers at home

Under this scenario, Mike Glennon gets the entire first half of the Bears schedule. This would certainly require him playing better than he has through two games. Then Trubisky gets the bye week to prepare for a debut against the team’s oldest rival at Soldier Field. Would the fans get pumped up enough by his first start to fill the building? I think they might.

Possibility #3: Mid-game

I texted both of my league connections, both high-ranking personnel guys with other franchises, and asked how they felt about bringing in a rookie quarterback in the middle of the game. The two responses were “wouldn’t do it” and “fine with it”.

Here’s what I’ll say about the idea. I would not bring Trubisky into a blowout. You don’t want him on the field down three scores, having to drop back every play. But if the Bears are down 13-10 Sunday to Pittsburgh at the half and Glennon has looked like Glennon, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to bring Trubisky into the game.

Notes on the Pittsburgh Steelers

QBs faced through three weeks of the season: DeShone Kizer, Case Keenum, Mike Glennon. By comparison the Bears will have faced Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston, Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers will more than likely start one of the most hollow 3-0’s in NFL history.

A player I knew nothing about who absolutely jumps off the screen is LB Anthony Chickillo. The former Hurricane is in his third season and has been all over the field through two games. How do the Steelers always manage to produce these f’n linebackers? Chickillo is also a terrific pass rusher and the Bears better be wary of his location at all times Sunday.

T.J. Watt has been something of revelation but exited the Vikings game with a groin injury the organization doesn’t believe to be serious. If Watt doesn’t play, it’s a huge bonus for the Bears. But will that mean James Harrison can actually get on the field for the Steelers this season?

Pittsburgh. Ditka.

Three Reasons the Bears Will Win

The knock on the Steelers coming into 2017 was their defense just isn’t very talented. Pittsburgh faced a backup quarterback last week and still allowed the Vikings to rush for 5.3 yards a carry. The Bears will get their yards on the ground but they’ll have to be creative to get them.

I just get the feeling this secondary is close to a big game. Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan and Eddie Jackson are giving Bears fans real hope that this unit is growing and developing at a level we haven’t seen in years. Interceptions are coming and might come this weekend.

There’s something about desperation and every guy on the active roster Sunday will know the 2017 season is on the line. If the Bears lose, 2017 is a nothing. When does Trubisky play? Does Fox make it through the season? Is there a coordinator change? If the Bears win, they travel to their rivals on Thursday night with a chance to even their record at 2-2 and turn 2017 into a something. You might argue this is an optimistic viewpoint, and admittedly it is, but it’s going to be the essential messaging at Halas Hall this week.

Three Reasons They Won’t

Mike Glennon.

Bears are relying on Christian Jones and Jonathan Anderson to pick up the slack from the Torn Pec Twins (Freeman and Kwik). There are two sides to this coin: stuffing the run and defending the middle of the field. They’ll get help with the former from a terrific defensive front. But there’s a good chance Steelers tight end Jesse James is the breakout star of Week 3.

The Bears have four sacks through two games but they only have one from the edge – a shoestring number by Willie Young last week. The Bears are always going to get a push from the trenches, as long as Hicks and Goldman are in those trenches. But it’s up to the guys on the outside to finish the play. They haven’t. Part of this has to do with the misguided decision to constantly drop their best pass rusher (Floyd) into coverage simple because he’s capable of doing so. But if they give Roethlisberger a clean pocket, the ball is going deep down the field to one of his supremely-talented wide receivers.

My Favorite Thing About Pittsburgh

Don’t Be Surprised If…

…this game is close.

I tend to believe the Bears are much closer – as a team – to what we saw against the Falcons than what we saw in Tampa on Sunday. Not the quarterback, the team.

Don’t Gamble, But If You Do… (2-0)

Two unders. Two wins. And neither number was threatened. Why would you go anywhere else? Take the under for the third straight week and pay that mortgage.

Game Prediction

Bears will limit the Steelers in the big play department and keep this game close. But when they need a big play from their quarterback, they’re not going to get it.

Pittsburgh Steelers 20

Chicago Bears 16