The Los Angeles Chargers at Chicago Bears game reeks of one word: desperation. Both teams coming into it knowing that this could very well be their seasons on the line. A loss would all but cripple their hopes of reaching the playoffs. You know what they say about wounded animals when cornered. It's just hard to predict which team will come out strong. Neither is playing their best football at the moment, but one convincing win can always change that.
This is one of those games where it is difficult to know what the outcome will be. Fans can easily see the Bears winning by two touchdowns or losing by two touchdowns. That is how erratic the year has been thus far. There is enough talent on that roster to make the playoffs, but it's not performing up to its potential. Time is running out for that to change. So can the Bears summon their deepest motivations and get the job done on Sunday?
Los Angeles Chargers at Chicago Bears breakdown
Storylines:
The last stand of Mitch Trubisky? - The former #2 pick must feel like 2018 is so far away now. His Pro Bowl alternate run and great playoff performance seem like it was all in the imagination of Bears fans. Outside of one game this year, he has looked unequal to the task of elevating the offense. He continues to make the same misreads and erratic throws he did as a rookie and the movement is growing rapidly for the team to begin the process of making a change. This game could be the most pivotal of his career.
Philip Rivers' swan song - It feels like the end of an era is approaching. Los Angeles had hoped to finally get Rivers to a Super Bowl after their promising 2018 season. Instead the Chargers sit at 2-5 with their season on the brink going into Soldier Field. Not only that, but the 38-year old will be a free agent next March, so unless a miraculous turnaround is in the cards, fans could be watching the final months of a relationship that began 15 years ago.
Injuries:
Keenan Allen (hamstring) - The star Chargers wide receiver has not practiced all week as he deals with a hammy issue. He was declared questionable for the game on Friday and will likely be a game-time decision. Some position groups can play through hamstring injuries but it can be particularly difficult for wide receivers. Even if he does end up playing, his effectiveness will be limited.
Sherrick McManis (concussion) - The Bears special teams continues to have all sorts of issues with consistency. For every great play they make, there are a handful of mistakes that hurt the team. So one can imagine they aren't thrilled at the prospect of missing one of their best players. McManis suffered his head injury against New Orleans. He's a game-time decision for Sunday, which could leave them without their best gunner on coverage units.
Key matchups:
Khalil Mack vs. Sam Tevi - The Bears defense has registered just one sack in the past two games. Khalil Mack hasn't had one since the game against Minnesota. He's long overdue and it feels like this matchup against Sam Tevi who is not on the same level as Trent Brown and Ryan Ramczyk. Mack has only sacked Rivers once in his career so he'll be on a mission to make sure he adds to that tally.
James Daniels vs. Brandon Mebane - The Chargers run defense is probably their weakest point and part of the reason is having aging veteran Brandon Mebane at nose tackle. Bears center James Daniels has steadily improved in the past few games but his run blocking still needs to get going. His matchup with Mebane will be a major key for the offense to finally unstick David Montgomery in the backfield.
Prediction: Chargers win 21-14
Honestly, it's hard to trust the offense to show up at this point. Their quarterback appears lost almost every week and the lack of a running game only continues to expose this reality. The Chargers aren't a great defense but they're good enough to take advantage of those weaknesses. Meanwhile in spite of their injuries, L.A. still has Rivers and he should be able to do just enough to get them out in front to stay.
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