Mitchell Trubisky Has Played Well Against the Packers
The Chicago Bears will try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive when they go to Green Bay this Sunday to take on the Packers. They will look to avenge their season opening loss in which the offense was held to just three points. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, had one of his worst games of his career in the loss, but surprisingly has played well against the Packers in his short career.
Although he holds a 1-3 record in four starts against the Packers, Trubisky has played well in most of those starts. In his first start against Green Bay back in 2017, He completed 21 passes for 297 yards and had a QB rating of 97. Chicago lost the game 23-16 due to poor defense and an ill-advised challenged that led to a Bears turnover at the goal-line. Trubisky had a 45-yard touchdown pass to receiver Josh Bellamy and had four throws that went for 20 yards or more.
In the season opener at Lambeau Field last year, Trubisky and the offense scored 10 points on their first two drives. The first drive included a 31-yard pass to Taylor Gabriel and a two-yard touchdown run by the Chicago quarterback. On the second drive, he completed a 33-yard pass to Allen Robinson. On the night, he finished with 171 passing yards but couldn’t bring the Bears back after the defense blew a 20-0 lead in the second half. Although he struggled late, he put the Bears in a position to win in the first half and early in the fourth quarter also.
Trubisky’s most important game of 2018 came in week 15 against the Packers. Following a three interception game against the Rams the week prior, the Bears had an opportunity to clinch the NFC North Division title for the first time in eight years. Trubisky had one of his best games of the season as he completed 20 of 28 passes for 235 yards and two touchdown passes. With the game tied at 14 in the fourth quarter, Chicago’s quarterback connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Trey Burton. Head coach Matt Nagy said that Trubisky made the the throw with conviction. The Bears won 24-17 and locked up a playoff birth.
The week 1 match this season saw the Packers force Trubisky to play quarterback. They took away his ability to run and their pass defense was tight on Bears receivers. He finished the night with a QB rating of 62.1 and threw a costly interception in the end-zone late in the fourth quarter.
Green Bay’s pass defense has struggled since week one as they have 21st ranked pass defense in the league. Trubisky has been great in his last few starts as he has thrown seven touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns in his last three starts. If he is able to continue this hot trend against Green Bay, there is a good chance that the Bears playoff hopes will stay alive heading into week 16.