Following months of hype, the Chicago Bears fell flat in a 10-3 loss last week to the Green Bay Packers on the national stage.
While the defense looked in midseason form, holding Aaron Rodgers to just 10 points, Chicago’s offense looked anemic. They were out of sync the entire game and third-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky looked uninspiring in the losing effort.
There were a number of factors in the loss, including Trubisky, all of which need to be corrected as the Bears head to Denver to face Vic Fangio’s Broncos.
Here are five Bears that need to redeem themselves in Week 2
Matt Nagy
Last week’s loss falls on the shoulders of head coach Matt Nagy, who didn’t have his offense ready to play the Packers. Nagy didn’t help his young quarterback out with his questionable play calling of a 53-to-12 pass-to-run ratio.
It created an unbalanced offense that was never able to get into any sort of rhythm, which was especially frustrating since it was a one-score game.
Nagy’s play-calling snafu was uncharacteristic of the defending Coach of the Year. He acknowledged that it made the offense “one-dimensional,” which allowed the Packers defense to key in on what was coming next.
This week against the Broncos, Nagy needs to call a more balanced game, establishing the run early and alleviating some of the stress off Mitch Trubisky. That balance should help get the offense into a rhythm early and build this unit’s confidence.
Mitch Trubisky
Mitch Trubisky did little to inspire confidence that he is the quarterback of the future for the Bears after perhaps his worst game as a pro, giving his critics plenty of fuel for the fire.
There’s no sugarcoating it, he looked horrible. He locked in on his first read and often stared down his intended target, which was usually Allen Robinson.
Trubisky looked like he’d regressed rather than developed entering what’s become a crucial third season for the young quarterback. The offense’s ineptitude wasn’t all on Trubisky. It was also Nagy’s play calling, the lack of pass protection and some drops.
Still, a bulk of the blame falls on the young quarterback.
The good news is it can’t get much worse than that. Trubisky needs to get back on track in Week 2, which won’t be easy with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb staring back at him.
The offensive line
It was a rough night all around for the Bears offense last Thursday night. But for one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines last season, Chicago’s men in the trenches didn’t look like it.
The Bears returned all five starters from a season ago, with the only difference being Cody Whitehair and James Daniels switching to left guard and center, respectively.
Trubisky was sacked five times in the loss to Green Bay, and he was on the run for a lot of the game.
The task doesn’t get easier as the Bears offense goes up against stud edge rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. This Bears offensive line will need to do a heck of a better job protecting Trubisky and giving him time to find his play-makers.
Trey Burton
Trey Burton hasn’t played in a live game since Week 17 of last season, and his absence has been felt. The Bears tight end was questionable heading into last week’s opener against the Packers, but he ultimately wasn’t ready to take the field in game one after suffering a mild groin strain the week prior.
It’s unclear if Burton will be ready to go for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. Quite frankly, the offense needs him.
So much of what they do relies on his ability to act as both a receiving tight end and a slot receiver, where Tarik Cohen played in his absence last week.
Last week, Bears tight ends had only one reception — a six-yard catch by Adam Shaheen. The Bears need more production out of their tight ends, and given the concern of depth at the position, Chicago needs its starter back.
Deon Bush
The Bears defense was able to hold Aaron Rodgers to just 10 points, which should be enough to win.
The game could’ve been a 3-3 tie if not for one great throw by Rodgers, a 47-yard pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling that set up the game’s only touchdown.
The man in on that play? Safety Deon Bush, who lost track of his coverage duties as Valdes-Scantling broke behind Prince Amukamara for the big gain.
Bush had a solid preseason and training camp, which was why the Bears wanted to get him an opportunity to play. It wasn’t exactly encouraging seeing the result.
The reserve safety needs to make a play to rebound from last week’s bitter defeat.
