Game Preview: Browns @ Bears

The beloved Chicago Bears have already surpassed their win total of three from a season ago. Progress is good to see of course, especially when the Bears believe they have found their franchise quarterback, but if they can get their win total up to five for the season it will look a heck of a lot better for Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears. Even if the Bears manage to pull off a win on Christmas Eve against the Cleveland Browns and a week later against the Minnesota Vikings, I doubt that would be enough to keep John Fox around. Keep your eyes on the Bears next year. They have a slew of young talent, a top ten draft pick next year, and assumingly a new head coach and possible new coordinators.

Trubisky will be looking to keep his childhood favorite team winless in Soldier Field this Sunday. The Browns are the first team to ever start two seasons back-to-back 0-14. They are only two more losses away from joining the Detroit Lions as the only other team to have a winless season. Trubisky has turned Chicago into his new home. He has not thrown an interception at Soldier Field in the last four games played there.

This will be a good old-fashioned Midwest weather outdoor game. The forecast is expected to be a high of 24 degrees in Chicago on Sunday. This will be the 16th time the Bears have faced off against the Browns. Although the Browns do lead the all-time series at 9-6, the Bears have won three of the last four meetings. The Bears pass rush is sorely missing Leonard Floyd and the pressure he brings. I never noticed how much he seemed to impact the games until he was gone. Now, with Pernell McPhee being placed on injured reserve, it will be up to Sam Acho, Lamar Houston, and company to rattle DeShone Kizer’s cage and help the defense cause some turnovers.

The Bears offensive line will need to be at their best as well since the number one overall pick of the draft, Myles Garrett, will be on the other side of the ball trying to add to his sack total and put pressure on the person who was picked right after him in Trubisky. Garrett leads the Browns defense with five sacks so far this season, granted he did miss a couple games due to injury.

Trubisky had his first 300-yard game last week against the Lions, but he also threw his first three-interception game. Only his second time throwing multiple interceptions in a game. Talk about a sweet and salty mix. Trubisky stats so far are not horrific though. He has a 59.8 completion percentage, 7 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Not too bad for a rookie quarterback with no star wide receiver or tight end to throw to, and a mediocre offensive line.

The Bears secondary will have their hands full with Josh Gordon who has been doing well in his last three games back in the league. Although he only has one touchdown so far, he has been highly targeted and seems to be Kizer’s favorite go-to option. This will be a perfect opportunity for Trubisky to improve on his last game vs the Lions and continue to grow as a player heading into next year.

SCORE PREDICTION:
Bears – 27
Browns – 13