The Chicago Bears are going to lean on the defense on Thursday night in order to beat the Dallas Cowboys. It's not like they have a choice. This is the way it's been all year long. The problem is the unit may no longer have the horses necessary. Akiem Hicks is still out with his elbow injury, as is Danny Trevathan. Now Prince Amukamara is unlikely to play due to a hamstring issue. Expecting this group to stop the #1 passing attack in the league, not to mention Ezekiel Elliott is asking a lot. This is why Mitch Trubisky has to step up.
He's coming off the best game of his season in Detroit. A comeback win that saw him throw for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Cowboys defense is a much tougher test. Through 12 games they rank 8th both in points and yards allowed. They have a good pass rush and some solid linebackers that are capable of making life difficult for him. It doesn't feel like they're going to let him sit back in the pocket like last week and just find open guys.
That is why Trubisky must endure something he's been reluctant to do all year. He must rediscover his willingness to take off and run the ball himself.
Mitch Trubisky must take advantage of Cowboys run defense
While the Cowboys defense is good, they do have one weakness. They haven't exactly been strong against the run this year, ranking a distant 16th. One of the big reasons for this is their inability to contain more mobile quarterbacks. Already they've been gashed a number of times. Daniel Jones, the New York Giants rookie posted 54 yards on them. Detroit Lions backup Jeff Driskel had 51 and a touchdown. Then Buffalo Bills standout Josh Allen had 43 with a score of his own.
Clearly Dallas has had trouble containing quarterbacks who can move. A big reason for this might be the absence of star linebacker Leighton Vander Esch who has dealt with a neck injury. He is not expected to play in this game. Trubisky's running though is the biggest mystery of 2019. After going for over 400 yards on the ground last season, the 25-year old has just 80 through 11 starts. The recent tape shows that he's just been reluctant to take off and go despite numerous opportunities.
Is it because of coaching? Is it because he's grown gun shy due to previous injuries suffered while scrambling? There are plenty of theories but no clear answer. What is clear is that if the Bears want to find a way to take down the Cowboys, they must utilize every advantage they have. Whether Trubisky likes it or not, his legs are a weapon he can't ignore.
