The Chicago Bears victory over the Los Angeles Rams was an impressive one as the defense did not allow a touchdown to one of the league’s best offenses. What was overshadowed in the win was the struggles of Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky who returned to the lineup from injury.
Although many attribute Trubisky’s poor performance to rust from missing the previous two games, there were inconsistencies in his play before the injury.
In his previous four games, the Bears second-year quarterback has thrown six interceptions including multiple interception games before and after his injury.
Furthermore, he has failed to throw for over 200 yards in three of those game also. The offense has struggled to score consistently in games Trubisky has struggled as in his last two starts, the offense has scored just one touchdown in each game.
A majority of the young quarterback’s interceptions have been all the same as he has overthrown his receiver down the field. Five of the six interceptions thrown have been on throws of 15 yards or longer in which the ball overthrown by several yards into the hands of an opposing defender. Trubisky has had the right read as his target were open in the zones of the defense, but the throws were inaccurate.
Against the Vikings and Rams, Trubisky’s interceptions were all the same as the throws were within numbers in the middle of the field. Just one of the interceptions was to the sideline but was one of his worst throws as his receiver never was visibly open while running the route. It isn’t a misread or mechanics that need to be adjusted as the Bears quarterback had set feet and balance when throwing.
In the games where Bears starter has played well against the Jets and Lions, he has not been intercepted and has had multiple touchdowns passes. Against the Lions, he completed five passes of 24 yards or longer and against the Jets he had two passes of 23 yards or longer. In both those games, head coach Matt Nagy utilized both long and short passing plays where in the last two games Trubisky has struggled, more short to mid routes have been called.
One interception that stuck out from the Rams game was an overthrow to tight end Trey Burton coming across the field. In the Buffalo game, Trubisky connected with Burton in stride on the same route for a 26 yard gain. On Sunday night, the pass was picked off as it sailed a few yards over the tight end.
With the team on verge of clinching its first division title on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, Nagy’s main focus will now be to get his quarterback ready for the playoffs. he will have two games to do so as it is unlikely that the majority of starters play if a playoff speed is determined ahead of the season finale in Minnesota.
Playing the Packers is useful as the two teams have already met and it will be the first time this season that the Bears head coach will have prior game film to game-plan with Trubisky.
A win against the Packers with a division title would create a frenzy in Chicago that hasn’t been seen in nearly a decade. If the team’s quarterback plays inconsistently again on Sunday it can create for a tense atmosphere amongst fans and media with two games to go before the playoffs.
A bounce-back performance against Aaron Rodgers of all people by Trubisky could fix everything and provide the utmost promise heading into the playoffs.
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5 Comments
This is the most poorly written article I’ve ever read in my life.
Pace made a mistake in selecting Trubisky. Everyone knows that. The Bears have to hope he improves immensely. Imagine had they picked Mahomes or Watson. Mitch is great kid, and a solid athlete.
Accurate analysis! Of hot & cold Mitch. I only hope that he evolves to be a more consistant QB. Only time will tell but we will need it to continue into playoffs.
We have to remember where the Bears are coming from. The last few years, they have been among the worst teams in the NFL. Now they are in the top tier. With Trubisky. This gives us time and room for the coaching staff to develop him. Ultimately, if the Bears are going to win it all, they will need a QB that can make those “miracle” plays at the end of a game. Time will tell whether or not Mitch can be that guy. Let’s give him that time.
Good QB, but the kid gets way too excited & overpowers his throws. They need to wear him out a little before the game to sap some of that nervous energy!