:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61598641/1043668968.jpg.1538337740.jpg)
Some people have been patient with Mitch Trubisky. They have pointed out that he shows great traits when his head and mechanics are right, that he’s still inexperienced with limited NFL and college experience. Some of us have even pointed out the reasons he’s struggled are mostly areas that can be improved and there was no reason to give up hope that he could be a true franchise star.
Those people look smart right now. For those of you just joining us, I was one of those people. I am pleased by this turn of events.
This games full, glorious box score can be found here, in case you want to frame it or print it out to hang on the refrigerator.
If it all comes down to execution, Trubisky brought the guillotine
Two more touchdowns in the first half than any Bears’ quarterback in franchise history? Check. Red zone execution. Check. Exceptional accuracy on deep throws? Check. Legs for days? Check. Accuracy on throws to the left?? Check!
So far this season, it seems Trubisky was cooking with baking soda. Any amateur food chemist worth their weight in salt will tell you that if you want a baked good—such as a biscuit—to rise, you need to add an acid to the baking soda. This converts the bicarbonate to carbonic acid (H2CO3) which, of course, can then break into water and carbon dioxide, the later in gaseous form expands the biscuit from within and allows it to rise into it’s idea fluffy and flaky form.
Maybe it was Nagy simplifying the offense the right amount. Maybe it was something within Trubisky that finally clicked. Or maybe it was the bitterness of shade fans have been piling on him for the first three weeks. The reason why may never be clear. It hardly matters.
The biscuit has risen.
This is what I pictured when I fantasized about Tarik Cohen and Taylor Gabriel in the same offense
It probably has something to with the Buccaneers rolling with three rookie corner backs, but it seemed at least one defender was over-matched against one of these two. This game was full of deep passes to these swift shorties and quick dump-offs that they grabbed and ran, chopping up the defense and stacking up YAC. For Trubisky’s 6th touchdown, he tried a bootleg to the right to Cohen without success, then immediately connected on the same play to Gabriel. It felt too easy. We can worry about that later.
Helloo Bilal Nichols
Speaking of areas overflowingin riches on the Bears roster. Bilal Nichols has shown up strong in limited snaps on a deep defensive line. There’s nothing I like more than watching a big bear break into the backfield and smosh down a scrambling opponent, and Nichols delivered with two beautiful tackles for loss.
Khalil Mack is going to get a strip sack every game for the rest of his career
It might not show up on the stat sheet if you don’t count—like today—when the offense recovers it, but the man knows how to sack the ball, incidentally bringing the quarterback down with it. Is it too early to worry about becoming complacent with Mack’s level of excellence and potentially taking it for granted? Don’t let it happen, Bears fans!
Akiem Hicks on pace for 12 sacks
Hopefully, he can pick it up as he gets more comfortable taking advantage of Mack’s double teams.
Dance Party in Winston’s backfield
It became comical how often multiple Bears ended up chasing Jameis Winston in the backfield in the second half, at times knocking into either, often barely wiffing on a sack. It would have been frustrating if the game hadn’t clearly established as an indisputably glorious Bears triumph.
Bears still rule the NFC North
I think the best approach for the Bears at this point is to win every game going forward. I haven’t done all the math, but I’m pretty sure that will seal the division for them. Don’t want to risk screwing this up.
It was a beautiful day in Chicago. The Bears performance exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations. The offense may never run this smoothly again, so take this moment to appreciate it. I know I’ll be rewatching the coaches tape more than once. I don’t even think there will be diminishing returns in the number of chortles and giggles this gridiron masterpiece will induce.
The Bears dominated a good team today. The team worked in seamless unison and delivered a performance of rare and precious caliber. Can football teams get Emmy’s for best television product of the season? The Bears should get an Emmy for this.