News and notes from Chicago Bears 23-16 victory

The Chicago Bears got the job done, winning 23-16. What are the top notes from the win?

It wasn’t pretty. It did not have to be. With a ridiculous layoff from Sunday night to Thursday afternoon against a team they just beat, and without their starting quarterback, the Chicago Bears were in a terrible spot.

However, this team showed that they can fight through anything, as they ground out a hard-fought victory over a division rival. What are the top headlines from the game?

Not quite Trubisky

All week you heard some of the Mitch Trubisky haters say that we would not see a much different Chicago Bears team. They said Trubisky was only playing so well because of the Nagy offense and that Chase Daniel could make the same passes that Trubisky makes. On Thursday we learned that isn’t true.

Do not come with the “short week; he wasn’t prepared” talk. The entire reason he has a roster spot is his preparation. He knows the playbook better than Trubisky, having spent more time with Matt Nagy.

This is a physical issue. Trubisky has a better arm and a more accurate arm at every level of the football field. He is faster, through his progressions and on the ground. These are not things that Daniel would gain with extended starting experience. I would argue that as the season went on, Daniel would become even more limited than what we saw today.

This team will go as far as Mitch Trubisky takes them.

Taquan Mizzell surprise

To the surprise of some, Taquan Mizzell saw the field and caught a touchdown. Mizzell had played a season-high eight snaps coming into the game and played seven snaps in the first half. This likely had to do with the short week. It seemed as though the team platooned every other drive with Mizzell and Tarik Cohen to limit the workload of Cohen on a short week. The plan paid off for Mizzell and the Bears.

Taylor Gabriel igniting the pass

The Bears had their backup quarterback but also knew they could not run straight at the Lions defense. What Matt Nagy did was looked to establish quick passes and screens to Taylor Gabriel. Gabriel led the team in targets and receptions but averaged less than seven yards per catch. He moved the sticks when he needed to, but the Bears were struggling to move the football.

Trey Burton poor day

Trey Burton could have added to the passing game but had a very rough day. He had a couple of drops, he lost a fumble to start the game and had a holding call that took back a first down and turned it into third down and long. Things could not go right for Burton.

Akiem Hicks is Akiem Hicks

Akiem Hicks was a monster in this game. His stuff on second down and short from the goal line cannot go unnoticed. He made a stick in the backfield and forced a third down pass. This led to a Lions field goal, which was much needed at the time.

Roquan keeps growing

Roquan Smith had a pretty big day on the defensive side of the ball as well. He posted ten tackles and added a much-needed sack. He got beat by Kenny Golladay in zone over the middle, but that is a tough ask for him. Overall he had an excellent day.

Eddie does it again

Eddie Jackson came into the game with four interceptions, one going for a touchdown. He just had a big pick last week. Then, in a 16-16 game, he did it again. Jackson broke on the route, read it correctly and made the pick in stride. From there, he was gone. Interception number five this season and the second one to the house for what looks to be a sure Pro Bowl season for Jackson