Bears vs. Packers: What to Watch 4

KEY MATCHUP

Former second-round draft pick (2014) Davante Adams is Aaron Rodgers’ go-to receiver. In tough situations — third downs, red zone, just about any time Rodgers needs a key catch, Adams is almost as uncanny at getting open as Rodgers is at finding him. On third downs against the Texans in Week 7, Rodgers was 7-for-8 for 125 yards and two touchdowns when he targeted Adams, and 0-for-3 for zero yards when he did not.

With 68 catches for 847 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games, Adams is averaging an NFL-best 105.9 yards per game. He has scored eight touchdowns in the Packers’ last five games, at least one in each game.

Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller is playing at a high level and has eight pass break-ups this season. Fuller also has seven penalties, including four pass-interference calls — something to keep in mind when facing Rodgers, who has been known to will a call from the officials from time to time.

Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who leads the Bears with 13 pass break-ups, is having an impressive season. But you can be sure that if he ever is matched up against Adams, Rodgers will try to find him. That’s what he does.

TRENDING

The Bears’ offense ranks 31st in the NFL in total yards, 32nd in rushing, 25th in passing, 32nd in third-down efficiency and 31st in scoring (19.1 points per game).

And it’s coming off its worst game of the season — 149 total yards in a 19-13 loss to the Vikings at Soldier Field. That’s the lowest yardage total in Matt Nagy’s three seasons as head coach.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Quarterback Mitch Trubisky will start for the first time since Week 3 against the Falcons, when he was benched early in the third quarter after throwing an interception. Trubisky is coming off a right (throwing) shoulder injury he suffered in Week 8 in his lone snap since being benched — an ill-fated rush as a “wildcat” quarterback against the Saints.

Trubisky has been rusty/shaky in two previous starts coming off an injury — a 33.3 rating (one touchdown, three interceptions) against the Rams in 2018; and a 67.6 rating (no touchdowns, no interceptions) before throwing two touchdown passes in garbage time in a 36-25 loss to the Saints in 2019.

X-FACTOR

The Bears are coming off a much-needed bye week, which theoretically gave them a chance to step back and re-examine their offense in a never-ending attempt to establish an offensive identity. That’s a tough thing to be doing in Week 12, but Matt Nagy and the Bears have no choice at this point.

The Bears are 0-2 after the bye under Matt Nagy — losing 31-28 in overtime to the Dolphins on the road in Week 6 in 2018; and losing 36-25 to the Saints in Week 7 last season.