KEY MATCHUP
While a week of lament has focused on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce is right behind him as a weapon the Chiefs have that the Bears don’t. In his seventh NFL season, the 6-5, 260-pound Kelce has 86 receptions for 1,131 yards (13.2 avg.) and four touchdowns — the first tight end in NFL history with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
One of the most consistent offensive players in the NFL — 50 or more receiving yards in 13 of 14 games — Kelce comes in on a hot streak. He has averaged 97.5 receiving yards in the Chiefs’ four-game winning streak, including 11 receptions for 142 yards last week against the Broncos.
Even a talented, diversified Bears defense will be challenged to defend him. Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski, a top-flight downhill run-defender, has proven more than capable in pass coverage in place of injured starters Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan this season. Linebackers Kevin Pierre-Louis and Leonard Floyd and nickel cornerback Buster Skrine could find themselves in a mismatch against the talented Kelce. But it will be a chore. The Bears rank 22nd in the NFL in defending tight ends in the pass game.
TRENDING
The Chiefs’ defense has been their Achilles throughout most of the Andy Reid era. But they are making strides in that area under first-year coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who replaced Bob Sutton this season.
The Chiefs have allowed 45 points in their last four games — 26 of them after they were ahead by two touchdowns or more. And they’ve allowed an average of 287 yards in their last three. So this will be a bigger challenge for Mitch Trubisky and the Bears’ offense than it appeared earlier in the season. In the last month, the Chiefs have improved from 26th to 18th in the NFL in total defense and from 20th to 10th in points allowed.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the ultimate “player to watch” because he’s just fun to watch. Besides being a prolific passer who averages 320 passing yards in complete games this season, the reigning league MVP is as inventive as he is elusive — he’s a point guard with a football in his hands.
“He can throw the ball from any position,” Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks said. “I’ve seen him throw the ball when he’s jumping. I’ve seen him throw the ball when he’s getting ready to fall. He has an elite arm.”
X-FACTOR
The Bears were eliminated from playoff contention last week against the Packers but still want to finish strong. Matt Nagy’s leadership has been his greatest strength in two seasons as head coach and he’ll have his team mentally prepared to give a playoff-caliber effort.
But it’s been a long, difficult season of swimming upstream for the Bears and human nature can be an imposing trump card, especially in Week 16 against a Super Bowl contender. It could go either way.
