The Chicago Bears (7-6) are preparing for their most important game of the season against their rivals Green Bay Packers (10-3), and there’s a lot on the line.
With the Bears fighting for their slim playoff hopes, they need to beat the Packers to stay alive in the playoff hunt. But then there’s the revenge factor after the Packers escaped with a 10-3 win in the season opener. With Mitchell Trubisky playing his best football of the season and with the return of Akiem Hicks, the Bears are in a good position heading into Lambeau Field.
Here are four storylines to watch as the Bears face the Packers on Sunday.
1. Will the Bears get revenge for Week 1 loss?
While last year’s season-opening loss served to motivate and catapult the Bears to a 12-4 record, this year it was a loss that has seemed to define their season. A dominant defense and a struggling offense that couldn’t do enough to win the game.
But the Bears aren’t the same team they were even a month ago amidst all those struggles. Riding a three-game win streak, Chicago’s offense has finally found a rhythm — although it took three months — and their defense looks to be getting back some key players, all while allowing the fourth fewest points this season.
While there are certainly big implications on the line — including slim playoff hopes — it’s also about getting revenge for a Week 1 game that you could argue they should’ve won — if only their offense had done enough. This time, there’s more confidence they will.
2. Can Mitchell Trubisky continue his success?
This is ultimately the question that will determine the outcome of this game. It’s also the question that will likely determine Mitchell Trubisky’s future in Chicago.
Over the last month, Trubisky has looked like a different quarterback — especially in his previous two games against the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, where he’s played his best football of the season and arguably of his career.
If Trubisky plays like he did last week against the Cowboys, where he completed 74% of his passes, threw three touchdowns and rushed for 63 yards and a score, then the Bears should win this game easily.
Ultimately, Trubisky is fighting to keep the Bears’ playoff hopes alive, but he’s also fighting for his job with Chicago. While the Bears will likely bring in another quarterback as competition and potential backup, especially with Chase Daniel a free agent, Trubisky’s performance over these final three games will help decide which quarterback they bring in.
3. What impact will Akiem Hicks have in his return?
While nothing’s official yet, the Bears have been hinting all week that defensive lineman Akiem Hicks will give it a go this week in their biggest game of the season. Hicks has been on injured reserve since Oct. 15 after he dislocated his elbow against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5. But it sounds like he’s ready to make his return.
In the season opener, Hicks registered a sack of Aaron Rodgers, and that’s something the Bears are going to need to do Sunday to get the win — pressure Rodgers. While Hicks won’t be 100%, no one is at this point.
But if Hicks does return, which all signs point to, he would solidify the middle of the Bears defense. But more than that, he’s a leader on this team and a vocal guy that can get his guys fired up.
4. Will the Bears keep their playoff hopes alive?
Perhaps the most exciting time of this week, aside from it being Bears-Packers Week, is that the Bears are going to be playing meaningful football in mid-December as they fight for their slim playoff hopes.
Look, the odds aren’t good. Not even close. The Bears need to win out in their final three games just to have a shot. Then they need a lot of help, in the form of the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams losing two of their final three games.
The Bears’ playoff chances are just north of 2% right now, which isn’t encouraging. But there’s still a chance. So, essentially this is a playoff game for the Bears, as if they needed any extra motivation to beat the Packers.
