“So whoop-de-do and hickory dock
And don’t forget to hang up your sock.”
Why Do I Like the Chicago Bears This Week?
I always like the Chicago Bears…
…and what’s not to like about this 2018 vintage? Seriously. They’re not just good. They are an extremely likable group of fellas.
Five Generic Thoughts on the Game
- Does the result matter for the Bears Sunday? Probably not. But the performances of Deon Bush, filling in for Eddie Jackson, and the rotational third edge rushers (Isaiah Irving, Kylie Fitts…etc.) are pivotal. Matt Nagy seemed optimistic when evaluating the injuries of Jackson and Aaron Lynch but neither looked good. If the Bears have to play a postseason game without one or both, they’ll need these depth pieces to step up and play well.
- If you listened to Tuesday’s Hoge & Jahns podcast – and you’re stupid if you don’t listen to every one of their pods – you heard an interesting discussion on how Nagy will handle these games. My guess? Nagy is done putting anything on tape that will help a postseason opponent. No creative looks. No gadget plays. No defensive linemen in the offensive backfield. Sunday should have a preseason feel to it: one-on-one match-ups the Bears will be expected to win because they’re the better, deeper roster by a wide margin.
- Quarterback rating is a flawed statistic but it’s the best stat the NFL has to quantify performance at the position. Mitch Trubisky is ten points worse (97.2 to 87.6) on the road than he is at home, primarily because his TD-to-INT is drastically better at Soldier Field. If the Bears expect to make a deep run in January, Trubisky is most likely going to need a great game in either Los Angeles or New Orleans. He could use a confidence builder on Sunday afternoon.
- The Niners aren’t going to beat the Bears on the outside but tight end George Kittle has been one of the league’s revelations in 2018. Teams have tried to cover him with corners, with linebackers, with safeties. But the Pro Bowler has made plays every single week. Kittle vs. Roquan Smith could be the best match-up of the week but the Bears will likely rotate their defenders to him, including Leonard Floyd.
- San Francisco does not sport a particularly good pass rush, rarely intercept the ball (2 all year) and all allow opposing quarterbacks to play to a 103.1 rating – better than only Detroit and Tampa Bay. Detroit and Tampa Bay were Mitch Trubisky’s most prolific statistical outputs. This is a good match-up for the Bears QB.
Tweet of the Week
Robbie Gould, still a Chicagoan despite playing for the 49ers, said he plans to attend the #Bears‘ playoff game with his sons.
“To see them back in the playoffs is going to be pretty exciting. I’m just excited for them to be there and watch them hopefully win a Super Bowl.”
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) December 19, 2018
My Five Favorite Christmas Song Recordings
(5) Alone on Christmas Day, Phoenix
(4) The Christmas Song, Nat King Cole
(3) O Holy Night, Trombone Shorty
(2) Hard Candy Christmas, Dolly Parton
(1) Fairytale of New York, The Pogues
Game Prediction
Bears defense harasses Nick Mullens, forces a few turnovers, and Trubisky goes 25-31, 348 yards and 3 touchdowns. Robbie Gould kicks six field goals.
Chicago Bears 30
San Francisco 49ers 18
