It’s up to 10 to amp it down
The Bears are launching back into playoff action as home favorites over the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles. A year ago at this time, who would have imagined that scenario? With a crisp performance, the Bears can book a trip to Los Angeles to play the Rams in the divisional round. But a victory won’t come easy against a hot Eagles team that is battle-tested. Here are our three keys for the game.
Proving ground Pregame analysis: It remains to be seen how second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky will perform on the playoff stage. How will he react to the added pressure and intensity? Will he be able to play within himself enough to avoid costly mistakes? In a Week 1 loss to the Packers, Trubisky acknowledged his failure to lead a game-winning drive in the final minutes was partly attributable to “trying to do too much.” Last month, he said his three interceptions in a win over the Rams came because he was “too amped up” and “trying to make all-world plays.” It’ll be up to him to keep his composure Sunday. And it’ll be up to coach Matt Nagy to piece together a game plan that keeps Trubisky comfortable. Nagy has emphasized this week that Trubisky’s greatest focus should be on taking care of the football and executing on third down. It also will be interesting to see if Trubisky is thrust into a late-game situation in which the Bears need him to make clutch plays to deliver a win. That’s where postseason legacies are defined.
‘Sky’s the limit’
Pregame analysis: That’s a favorite catchphrase of receiver Alshon Jeffery, a former Bear who came on strong at the end of the regular season. Jeffery senses the Eagles offense can recapture the postseason magic it experienced a year ago. In a three-game winning streak to close the season, Jeffery totaled 16 catches for 301 yards and a touchdown. Jeffery has the ability to make contested catches down the field. He also has obvious chemistry with Nick Foles, whose big arm and aggressive nature has Bears coordinator Vic Fangio concerned. “A big part of this game will be how we defend the deep balls,” Fangio said. The Bears also will have to account for tight end Zach Ertz, who had another Pro Bowl season with 116 catches, 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns.
Limit the disruption Pregame analysis: The Bears offensive line, with the help of a shrewd game plan, did a masterful job last month of handling star Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Donald, who finished the regular season with 20½ sacks and 25 tackles for a loss, had only two total tackles and one quarterback hit in that game at Soldier Field. Now the Bears will try to replicate that success against Eagles star Fletcher Cox, another disruptive force in the middle. Cox had 10½ sacks and 12 tackles for a loss and has an impressive combination of strength and quickness.
— Dan Wiederer