John Woz, Jr. | October 26th, 2019
The week eight matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers at the Chicago Bears features two teams regressing from the previous season. There are several synergies between the two reeling teams in 2019. Neither team can run the football, the Chargers rank 27th, and the Bears 28th.
We start the Chargers at Bears preview with the visitors. Philip Rivers‘ hopes of a first Super Bowl ring are dwindling at a rate of knots. The 2-5 Chargers have lost three straight. Sunday’s opponents are the 3-3 Bears, can the Bolts exploit their faltering offense?
The way L.A. lost last week’s game to the Tennessee Titans sums up the season, it sucks. The officials pulled back two Chargers go-ahead touchdowns in the final minute of the game, and the Titans stuffed Melvin Gordon at the one-yard line. Ken Whisenhunt must be bold in Sunday’s game.
Joey Bosa is having another great season on the other side of the ball, with five sacks. Bosa has registered ten quarterback hits through seven weeks of football. Tom Telesco had better have a good deal tabled for No.97 in the offseason. Bosa’s performance will be key for the Chargers at Soldier Field.
The Chargers defense has to tighten up downfield and pressure Mitchell Trubisky in the pocket. The New Orleans Saints tested Trubisky’s decision making last week, Bosa and the Chargers pass rush unit must copy a successful Saints’ blueprint.
Chargers Injury Update
Melvin Ingram is questionable for the trip to Soldier Field. Nasir Adderley, Justin Jones, and Brandon Mebane are all out. Keenan Allen has injured his hamstring, and he is questionable for the game.
Bears Focus
The oddsmakers favor the Bears against the Chargers on home soil. The Chargers are in trouble, but Bears head coach Matt Nagy has spent the season watching his team struggling on both sides of the ball. Chicago trails Green Bay by 2.5 games and Minnesota by 1.5. This is a must-win game for the Bears in the NFC North picture. Where did it all go wrong for the Bears?
Mark Helfrich’s offense is the Number 29th ranked team for points scored (112). By comparison, the New England Patriots have posted 223 points on the board. Nagy’s system needs an overhaul because Trubisky is averaging 167.8 yards per game. That’s not good enough to challenge for the NFC North.
Trubisky’s season has been disappointing, and week eight pits him against the number four ranked passing offense in the NFL. Chicago ran the ball seven times against the Saints for a meager total of 18 yards. Bears fans want a reaction this time around.
It was a delight to watch the Bears defense in 2018, unlike in 2019. The New Orleans Saints put up 151 yards rushing against the Bears in week seven. Against the Oakland Raiders two weeks earlier, the Bears allowed 169 yards rushing. Is this the game when the Chargers synchronize their running backs, or will the Bears learn the lessons of those two defeats?
Akiem Hicks got injured in week five, and the Bears are yet to establish a return date. Pro Football Focus graded Khalil Mack as the number one edge rusher with a superb rating of 90.6. Several teams have tried to block Mack with a tight end, that’s not a good idea. Mack is familiar with the Chargers offense, having played for the Raiders. Russell Okung makes his season debut for the Bolts, his job will be to block Mack. Welcome back 76!
One to Watch: Allen Robinson
Establishing the run has been tough, but both teams have two talented wide receivers capable of winning the game. Here is a look at the league’s 12th ranked receiver and his season so far.
Trubisky has target Robinson 59 times, he has 41 receptions for 464 yards receiving and three touchdowns. The former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver has a good catch radius. The Chargers secondary held A.J. Brown to 64 yards receiving in week seven, but they will have their work cut out against the threat of Robinson on Sunday.
Bears Injury Update
The Bears are looking healthy heading into Sunday’s game.
#Bears Friday injury report: pic.twitter.com/wXlaAR8IyI
— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) October 25, 2019
Game Prediction
The Chargers are there for the taking, and they are 0-1 against the AFC North. The Bears dare not lose this game. The Chicago front office has got a lot of work to do at the season’s half-way point.
I predict a 21-17 Bears win.
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