As the Chicago Bears prepare for the Green Bay Packers this week at Soldier Field, it’s prudent to look back at their dominating win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Thread: A few extra thoughts on Bears-Raiders.
1. Don't overlook how impressive that Bears win was.
Too often under Matt Nagy, the Bears have been victims to physical teams. In 2019, the Raiders bullied them.
Yesterday? The Bears dominated physically. Times are changing.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 11, 2021
The Bears not only got to an important 3-2 before a brutal stretch of games, they captured their first road win of the year, and did it in a way that signaled very strong growth. They were the more physical team (after years of being bullied by powerful teams), they ran the ball well even without David Montgomery, and the defense shut down Derek Carr and a high-flying offense. A great win, in the truest sense.
Now, they have a chance to get to first place in the NFC North. A win over Green Bay would move them both to 4-2, with Chicago getting a head-to-head win. That’d be huge for the standings, their NFC/divisional record, and their confidence.
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The Bears seem to be on the right track in all phases at the moment. That momentum needs to continue.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Bears Mailbag
The Bears were successful for a little while last year at Soldier Field, but eventually Mitch Trubisky's inability to execute let it get away.
Fields offers more dimensions and can help, but the Bears will need to install new elements to counter how teams adjust to them.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
I want to expand on this one in general. The Bears proved last year (for a bit) and in their last two games that a ball-control offense *can* work. It has merits. Shorten the game, put up points, and force the other team to respond with a condensed clock. Great.
The problem, however, showed up against Green Bay at Soldier Field last year, when the Bears controlled the clock relatively well, but still lost 35-16. Thirty-five to sixteen. Yes, it got away from them late, but herein lies the problem:
A ball control offense is great *if it scores touchdowns*. Settling for field goals, or stalling altogether, is not going to work against very good-to-great QBs. And guess what the Packers still have? A very good QB.
The good news is the limiting factor last year, Mitch Trubisky, is gone and his replacement, Justin Fields, while still green, is better. And he has shown growth the last two games since the Cleveland debacle.
The Bears may not have as much success with their regular identity of just running the ball 35 times against the Packers. They’ll have to pass and they’ll have to score. Because Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams will score. Can the Bears keep up?
There doesn't seem to be a formula that works against Davante Adams. Cincinnati tried bracket coverage at times and failed.
I'd imagine we see Jaylon Johnson travel with Adams, and perhaps get bracketed by someone with strong instincts (e.g. DHC).
Best plan I can think of.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
Possibly. I think the Bears will still try to instill their newfound 'physical' identity and try to establish the run in the beginning. But I expect a lot more throwing / deep shots in this game.
If they stay away from Eric Stokes (which they should), then they'll be fine.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
Hey Kevin, nice to meet you, though you seem familiar.
I think the new setup (Nagy just the HC, Lazor the OC) should be evaluated further, because it looks promising enough after two games. And Justin Fields has shown growth in each game since the Cleveland debacle.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
The non-Jaylon CB play has been better than I expected. It isn't "good" — I think the pass rushers have done a very good job disrupting passing games, though I expect quick-game adjustments soon.
Re: E-Jax, yes, I think it's fair to question his ceiling at this point.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
I was actually impressed with how Wilkinson played in relief of Germain Ifedi against Maxx Crosby — that is not an easy matchup.
The Bears will want to give him help against Green Bay, though. If they can protect Fields, there are opportunities throwing away from Eric Stokes.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 14, 2021
If that's the case, I think the Bears would be thrilled. Quinn's resurgence so far this year clears up just how badly injured he was in 2020.
If he maintains this play all year, then there's no reason to think he can't continue it in 2022. They may try to bring him back.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
Teams will adjust, and it'll be up to the Bears to add more elements. Right now, they are executing a very basic offense and letting their players play fast and physical — which has worked so far!
Justin Fields offers more than Mitch Trubisky dimension-wise, which should help.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
Matt Nagy mentioned that Ifedi is going on IR today, but it doesn't seem to be season-ending, which is good news.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
Against the Packers?
I'd give it a 40%.
The Bears are not that different from Green Bay talent-wise, overall. But the disparity in QB at this point is incredibly large, and that'll be the difference.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) October 13, 2021
