The countdown to kick-off is underway as the Chicago Bears prepare to host their archrival – the Green Bay Packers.
The Chicago Bears haven’t had a lot of success against the Green Bay Packers in recent years, but they’ll be looking to change that when the teams tangle on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field.
Fresh off a bye week, the Bears will hope to bring their top-ten defense to the party, and will hope to get their offense, led by rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, back into gear.
Here are five players that will be key for the Bears as they attempt to put together a complete game against their bitterest rival.
Leonard Floyd
In his last four games, Floyd has four sacks and 11 total tackles, and he’ll hope to keep that going against quarterback Brett Hundley and the Packers. Vic Fangio will likely have plenty of aggressive pass rush packages lined up for a depleted Packers squad, and Floyd will be key to that effort.
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates with fans after scoring Chicago Bears touchdown against the Chicago Bears at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Head coach John Fox of the Chicago Bears looks on as his team takes on the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Tre McBride #18 of the Chicago Bears catches a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: New Orleans Saints fans support their team against the Chicago Bears at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears rushes the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears is holds his left knee after sustaining an injury during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Head coach John Fox of the Chicago Bears looks on as his team takes on the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints scrambles out of the pocket away from Mitch Unrein #98 of the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears is carted off the field after sustaining an injury during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: A detail view of Nike shoes worn by Zach Miller #86 of the Chicago Bears during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears passes the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Sam Acho #93 of the Chicago Bears during the third quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Mitchell Trubisky #10 of the Chicago Bears passes the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Ted Ginn #19 of the New Orleans Saints catches a pass as he is defended by Eddie Jackson #39 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Howard has rushed for over 100 yards in two of his last three games, and he was even a passing game threat in the team’s loss to New Orleans, catching three passes on five targets. He’ll likely give way more often than not in passing situations, but a balanced attack will be required even as the Bears look to give Trubisky more reps, and Howard will be key to that.
Eddie Jackson
Jackson only had one tackle against New Orleans in Week 8, but in the games prior to that he was an absolute monster, scoring two defensive touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers and notching five tackles against Baltimore in Week 6. Look for him to be a key member of the team’s secondary against Hundley and company Sunday, and he should be primed for a good performance.
Mitchell Trubisky
It seems too obvious to have Trubisky as a key player, but the fact is that he will be given every chance to shine on Sunday. He’s had two weeks to prepare, has game footage from this season to evaluate for the Packers, and is facing a secondary that is missing safety Morgan Burnett. If there’s a time for the training wheels to come off, it’s right now.
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Trubisky came into the NFL like a lightning bolt, showcasing an accurate arm and incredible athleticism in his preseason debut.
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His numbers may not have been spectacular, but his accuracy was on full display, and Bears fans began clamoring for him to play after another rough showing by Mike Glennon.
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Glennon finally emerged as a threat in the passing game, but Trubisky held his own too, throwing for over 100 yards for the second time in the preseason.
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The only highlight from this game was a lowlight, as Trubisky took a massive shot late in the game when he was controversially brought back into a game that the Bears were trailing by a wide margin.
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In his first ever start, Trubisky had some stellar moments, but he wasn’t able to lead the Bears to victory, as the team lost to Minnesota.
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Trubisky looked much more comfortable in his second career start, guiding the Bears’ offense through some tough spots against an aggressive defense as he picked up his first career win.
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This game may be known as the “training wheels” game, as Trubisky only attempted seven passes and tried rushing five times. Even despite that, the Bears won thanks to Eddie Jackson.
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This was the first game where Trubisky really was allowed to throw some big passes, and while he made some big throws (and a nearly 50 yard run to boot), he threw a bad pass late in the game that cost his team a chance to tie things up late.
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Despite having two weeks to prepare, Trubisky's accuracy and footwork were off early in the game. He did ultimately recover and threw a gorgeous touchdown to Josh Bellamy, but it wasn't enough as the Bears fell 23-16.
Markus Wheaton
The Bears will be getting two wide receivers back in the mix this week, as Wheaton and Dontrelle Inman will slot into the lineup. Giving Trubisky some bonafide passing weapons is going to be a game changer for the Bears’ offense, and Wheaton’s speed should come in handy if Dowell Loggains is ready to get more aggressive with his rookie quarterback.
