This isn’t exactly the Chiefs-Bears game we envisioned when NFL schedule was announced
Remember the buzz about this Chiefs-Bears game when the schedule was released? Prime time between the top two quarterbacks taken in the 2017 draft, Mitchell Trubisky and Patrick Mahomes. But the game has arrived with little at stake. The Chiefs (10-4) are headed to the postseason for the fifth straight year, and it’s on to next season for the Bears (7-7), who have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Coach
Matt Nagy battles his mentor in Andy Reid for the first time in the regular season. Nagy was the Chiefs’ quarterbacks coach from 2013-15 and replaced Doug Pederson as their offensive coordinator for 2016 and 2017. Before Kansas City, Nagy had been with Reid on his Eagles staff since 2008. The Bears won the division in Nagy’s first season, and at 7-7 they can still finish with a winning record this year.
Offense
Trubisky owns a 22-17 record as a starter, has thrown 48 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions and has won a division title. That’s not a bad start as a pro. The problem is, Trubisky was selected ahead of Mahomes and Deshaun Watson in the draft and those players are having much better careers. But he’s handled the constant comparisons well. “It’s kind of me, Pat and Deshaun all grouped together because we were in the same draft class, drafted in the first round and all that,” Trubisky said. “But there are no do-overs. We are where we are. ... It’s just the nature of the beast.” Trubisky and the Bears face a Chiefs defense that has allowed an NFL-low 11.3 points per game since Week 11.
Defense
The Bears offense can be their best selves on defense if they establish the run with David Montgomery, control the clock and keep Mahomes and the Chiefs’ receiving weapons off the field. Chicago cornerbacks Prince Amukamara, Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine will be tested. The Bears’ defense has been solid most of the season, ranking eighth overall: sixth against the rush and 13th against the pass. But this was the NFL’s top-scoring defense a year ago. This will be Mahomes’ first game against Chicago in the regular season, but he played 38 snaps against Chicago in a 2018 preseason game.