WHAT TO WATCH 4
Key matchup
Davante Adams, a Packers secondround draft pick in 2014, is Aaron Rodgers’ go- to receiver. In tough situations — third downs, red zone, just about any time Rodgers needs a key catch — Adams’ ability to get open is almost as uncanny as Rodgers’ ability to find him. On third downs against the Texans in Week 7, Rodgers was 7- for- 8 for 125 yards and two touchdowns when he targeted Adams. He was 0- for- 3 for zero yards when he didn’t.
With 68 catches for 847 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games this season, Adams is averaging an NFL- best 105.9 yards per game. He has scored eight touchdowns in the Packers’ last five games, at least one in each game.
Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller is playing at a high level and has eight pass breakups this season. Fuller also has seven penalties, including four passinterference calls — something to keep in mind when he faces Rodgers, who has been known to will a call from the officials from time to time.
Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who leads the Bears with 13 pass breakups, is having an impressive season. But you can be sure that if Johnson is ever matched against Adams, Rodgers will try to find him. That’s what he does.
Trending
The Bears’ offense ranks 31st in the NFL in total yards, 32nd in rushing, 25th in passing, 32nd in third- down efficiency and 31st in scoring ( 19.1 points per game). And it’s coming off its worst game of the season — 149 total yards in a 19- 13 loss to the Vikings last Monday night at Soldier Field. That’s the lowest yardage total in Matt Nagy’s three seasons as coach.
Player to watch
Quarterback Mitch Trubisky will start for the first time since Week 3 against the Falcons, when he was benched early in the third quarter after throwing an interception. Trubisky is coming off a right ( throwing) shoulder injury he suffered on Nov. 1 in his lone snap since being benched — an ill- fated rush as a “wildcat” quarterback against the Saints.
Trubisky has been rusty/ shaky in two previous career starts when coming off an injury. He had a 33.3 rating ( one touchdown, three interceptions) against the Rams in 2018 and a 67.6 rating ( no touchdowns, no interceptions) before throwing two touchdown passes in garbage time in a 36- 25 loss to the Saints last season.
X- factor
The Bears are coming off a much- needed bye week, which theoretically gave them a chance to step back and re- examine their offense in their never- ending quest to establish an offensive identity. That’s a tough thing to be doing in Week 12, but they have no choice at this point.
The Bears are 0- 2 after byes under Nagy, losing 31- 28 in overtime to the Dolphins on the road in Week 6 in 2018 and 36- 25 to the Saints in Week 7 last season.