The Chicago Bears know exactly what they’re faced with going into this weekend. Nobody is giving them a chance to win on Sunday. Why should they? This team finished 8-8 for the second-straight year. The only reason they’re even in the playoffs is that the NFL saw fit to expand the field from 12 teams to 14. They’re coming off another blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers. There is no evidence to suggest the Bears have a prayer in New Orleans. Mitch Trubisky understands that quite well.
The 26-year old quarterback had an eventful 2020. He had to battle for his job against Nick Foles in training camp. He won it, started out 2-0, played poorly in Atlanta, and was benched for it. Foles ended up struggling with a 2-5 record before getting hurt. Trubisky then came back in, gave the offense some life, and ended up winning three in a row to reach eight wins before the finale loss to the Packers.
Now he’s starting his second playoff game in two years. Wild stuff.
It has to be a different experience this time. Back in 2018, the Bears were the heavy favorites. They had the best defense in the NFL and an offense with some young, exciting talent. Everybody knows what happened. They came a missed field goal away from advancing.
Now the shoe is on the other foot. The Bears are the team sneaking into the playoffs. They have to go on the road against a heavily-favored opponent.
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If anything it’s worse because the Saints have way more playoff experience than the Bears did two years ago. They’re used to the atmosphere and know what to expect. Combine that with an offense and defense that both rank in the top 5? Yeah, it’s easy to see why nobody is giving the Bears a chance. Trubisky doesn’t mind that. In fact, he’s embracing it.
#Bears QB Mitch Trubisky on the mindset as the team prepares for the #Saints on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/iUQBC39Z0g
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 6, 2021
Mitch Trubisky may have no tomorrow so his mindset is perfect
Nobody is giving him or the team a shot. The Bears are just lucky. They took advantage of a new NFL, some fortunate bounces, and a stretch of easy scheduling to reach the postseason. They aren’t a good team and the Saints are going to prove it. Trubisky for his part will be a free agent after this season. He’s playing not just for a chance at the Lombardi trophy but his future.
If nobody is giving him a chance, why play like it? Leave nothing behind. Put it all out on the field. Stop worrying about the consequences and just give it your best. Anybody who does that shouldn’t feel ashamed, regardless of the final result. The Saints are a good team but nobody is unbeatable. Any given Sunday as the saying goes. Mitch Trubisky can play like there’s no tomorrow because frankly there isn’t.
Is there any way they can pull it off?
Sure. The Bears did push the Saints into overtime during their meeting in November at Soldier Field. Foles was the quarterback at the time. They ran the ball pretty well too. In the end, they didn’t quite finish the job. Circumstances are different this time but there is some evidence to suggest the Bears don’t have to fear New Orleans. If they play their recent brand of offense and get a nice day from the defense? Anything is possible.
