Bears Mailbag -- Can This New Offensive Identity Work Against Green Bay?

As the Chicago Bears prepare for the Green Bay Packers this week at Soldier Field, it's prudent to look back at their dominating win over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.

The Bears not only got to an important 3-2 before a brutal stretch of games, they captured their first road win of the year, and did it in a way that signaled very strong growth.  They were the more physical team (after years of being bullied by powerful teams), they ran the ball well even without David Montgomery, and the defense shut down Derek Carr and a high-flying offense.  A great win, in the truest sense. Now, they have a chance to get to first place in the NFC North.  A win over Green Bay would move them both to 4-2, with Chicago getting a head-to-head win.  That'd be huge for the standings, their NFC/divisional record, and their confidence. The Bears seem to be on the right track in all phases at the moment.  That momentum needs to continue. With that, let's reach into this week's Bears Mailbag.  Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.

Bears Mailbag

I want to expand on this one in general.  The Bears proved last year (for a bit) and in their last two games that a ball-control offense *can* work.  It has merits.  Shorten the game, put up points, and force the other team to respond with a condensed clock.  Great. The problem, however, showed up against Green Bay at Soldier Field last year, when the Bears controlled the clock relatively well, but still lost 35-16.  Thirty-five to sixteen.  Yes, it got away from them late, but herein lies the problem: A ball control offense is great *if it scores touchdowns*.  Settling for field goals, or stalling altogether, is not going to work against very good-to-great QBs.  And guess what the Packers still have?  A very good QB. The good news is the limiting factor last year, Mitch Trubisky, is gone and his replacement, Justin Fields, while still green, is better.  And he has shown growth the last two games since the Cleveland debacle. The Bears may not have as much success with their regular identity of just running the ball 35 times against the Packers.  They'll have to pass and they'll have to score.  Because Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams will score.  Can the Bears keep up?