Following Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky’s impressive win vs. the Lions, fans are likely feeling a) optimistic, b) pessimistic or c) realistic.
It took twelve weeks, but for the first time in 2019, Mitchell Trubisky was very good on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions. On national TV, Trubisky delivered in a big way: 29-38 passing, 338 yards and 3 touchdowns with one interception for a passer rating of 118.1.
Scream bad Lions defense all you want, but Trubisky snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for perhaps the first time in his Bears career. After the Chicago defense let third-string quarterback David Blough score touchdowns on the first two drives of his NFL career, Trubisky led a valiant comeback, capped off by a nine-play, 90-yard drive in the fourth quarter that culminated with the go-ahead touchdown pass to David Montgomery.
Trubisky has had gaudier statistical games (see: last yearâs efforts against Tampa Bay and Detroit), but this was the first time he truly put the Bears on his back and carried the team to victory. In those 2018 games, Chicago dominated in all three phases; on Thursday, they came from behind in a game the rest of the team didnât play all that well. On top of that, it was on the road, in a game the Bears absolutely needed to win to keep their minuscule playoff hopes alive.
Itâs an odd development in a season that, until now, seemed to derail any hopes of Trubisky being the franchise quarterback going forward. It has likely provoked a wide variety of reactions, and Bears fans might fall in one of three camps on how to view his strong performance.
The optimistâs view
Those who were holding onto hope for the third-year quarterback can reasonably point to Thursdayâs performance and say, this was the Mitch Trubisky we were promised. He was accurate, efficient and decisive, completing over 75 percent of his passes. He dropped dimes all over the field, completing both of his passes that went over 20 yards in the air, both to Anthony Miller. He threw an interception, but came right back and threw a touchdown on the next drive.
Thursday was also the best that Matt Nagyâs offense looked all year, and is surely what the head coach imagined it would look like in 2019. Wide receivers Allen Robinson (8 catches, 86 yards and a touchdown) and Anthony Miller (9 catches, 140 yards) both had monster days. The passing game opened up holes for Montgomery, who averaged 4.7 yards per carry. The tight end made an athletic leaping touchdown catch, although it was Jesper Horsted instead of Trey Burton or Adam Shaheen.
The knock on Trubisky is rarely that he isnât a skilled quarterback. His athleticism and arm talent have always been there. The issue has been erratic accuracy, coupled with an inability to diagnose defenses and run an offense. Thursday was an example of what it looks like when he puts it all together. That type of performance, on a consistent basis, can elevate this Chicago Bears team.
The pessimistâs view
Those who have completely given up on Trubisky will dismiss Thursdayâs performance as an aberration and will have some justification in doing so. The Lions have a pitiful defense, ranking fourth to last in total yards allowed per game (398.1) and third to last in passing yards allowed per game (280.1). It was a borderline expectation that Trubisky would throw for 300 yards on this defense, which, by the way, was the first time he did it all year. And he still turned the ball over, on a terrible pass lofted late to Robinson that Darius Slay stepped in front of easily. It was just the Lionsâ fifth interception of the season.
Yes, Trubisky won the Bears that game. But the instances in which he has lost games for the Bears this year far outnumber the wins. Against the Packers in Week 1, where he lofted a pass into double coverage in the end zone for a game-ending pick. Against the Eagles, where he managed only nine yards in the first half. Against the Chargers, where a fourth-quarter interception and fumble helped the team blow a late lead.
It was nice that Mitch managed to pull this game out and not ruin Thanksgiving. But he had been a subpar quarterback for the entire season until that point, and one good game against a bad defense isnât going to make his future in Chicago any less murky.
The realistâs view
The measured take on Trubiskyâs performance veers closer to the pessimists, but with a huge caveat. Yes, one good performance isnât going to save a brutal season for the former second overall pick. The dreams of Trubisky being the guy are still likely over, and general manager Ryan Pace should still go quarterback hunting in the offseason, at least to bring in competition.
But at the very least, Mitch gave the team a lifeboat to cling to. The Bears playoff hopes have been declared dead a number of times now, but if they had lost and gone to 5-7, it would have been the final nail in the coffin. Now, at 6-6, they should be able to sneak into the playoffs if they win out. The obvious problem is that they will have to do it against the Cowboys, Packers, Chiefs and Vikings â all teams currently in playoff position. Even if they can beat the struggling Cowboys on Thursday night, they have to go into Lambeau Field and defeat Aaron Rodgers.
Yet in giving the team a very unlikely avenue to the playoffs, he also gave himself a very unlikely avenue to saving his Bears career. If Trubisky can beat those four teams in a row, stack some solid performances together and somehow put together a playoff run, his entire subpar season would be forgiven. All of a sudden, the team would feel much better about their quarterback situation going forward.
The chances may be slim, but after Thursday, it at least feels like there is some positive energy in the Bears locker room for the first time in 2019. The Athletic wrote that there was âplenty of praise for Trubisky in a joyous locker room,â with many reports noting that this win felt different from the others. Maybe the team can rally around Trubisky and recapture their 2018 form. Chicago did beat Rodgers and Kirk Cousins down the stretch last season â and Trubisky played efficient, mistake-free football along the way.
Itâs all unlikely. Thereâs a much higher chance that all the positive energy is gone within a week or two, and weâre back to evaluating Cam Newton trade scenarios. But at least after Thursday, there is some semblance of hope. Which is all Bears fans can ask for right now.
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