The Chicago Bears (3-3) return to action against the Los Angeles Chargers (2-5) where they’re desperate for a win.
Luckily for the Bears, the Chargers are struggling like them, and this would be a great opportunity for Chicago to take advantage of that and manage to find some momentum.
Let’s look at three keys to a Bears victory on Sunday:
1. Play mistake-free football
The Bears are in desperate need of a win after a two-game losing streak that has Chicago is panic mode. Nothing’s working on offense. The defense doesn’t look the same. The special teams even is stumbling.
After a mistake-prone performance against the Saints, which included two costly fumbles and two blocked punts, the Bears need to come out against a struggling Chargers team and play mistake-free football. But it’s easier said than done.
The offense needs a solid game that not only shows they can protect the football but also that they can, at some point this season, manage for find their identity. The defense needs to return to its dominant form, especially against a struggling Chargers team. This team just needs to win. And the one way to do that is to execute and not shoot themselves in the foot.
2. Establish a balanced offensive attack
This has been a key for a struggling Bears offense every week, but one that they haven’t done on their two-game losing skid. After a week where the Bears ran the ball just seven times, Matt Nagy has vowed to commit to the run, so expect a ton from David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen and Cordarrelle Patterson among others.
It also helps your struggling quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who has come under fire for his abysmal performance against the Saints and disappointment in Year 3.
Up to this point, the Bears offense has been one-dimensional and predictable. Teams know what to expect. And until the Bears prove that can establish a balanced attack, defenses will know exactly how to stop them.
3. The defense needs to take over
No one said it was fair, but these 2019 Bears have been at their best when the defense is destroying the opposition and winning games with their performance alone.
The Bears need the defense to return to early-season form, where they’re forcing turnovers, taking away the run game and getting after the quarterback. Going against a struggling Chargers team gives them a chance to do just that.
That includes getting some of their playmakers going, including outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who hasn’t had a sack or forced fumble since Week 4, as well as your other All-Pros in cornerback Kyle Fuller and safety Eddie Jackson, as well as inside linebacker Roquan Smith, who really needs a solid game after his recent performances.
