Wise football coaches don’t care so much about an opposing team’s record. They just want to know how it’s been playing lately.
It’s a good reminder for all of us, in any sport.
So when prefiguring Monday night’s NFL game between the host Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings (8:15 p.m. EST, TSN via ESPN), don’t focus on their records; the Bears are 5-4, the Vikings 3-5. Rather, know that the Bears have lost three straight, the Vikings have won two straight.
Teams going in different directions.
The Bears indeed are in somewhat of a crisis, despite being in the thick of NFC playoff contention. Only the most optimistic of Bears fans could have believed the team was a legit 3-0 or 4-1. Too many last-minute wins draped in good fortune, y’see.
These things have a relentless penchant for evening out over a whole season. Or, in the Bears’ case, a half-season. Their current record probably is commensurate with the team’s play thus far.
The big problem is not their Super Bowl-calibre defence. It’s the offence. In losing four of their past six, the Bears have scored just nine offensive touchdowns and just measly 17 points per game. It didn’t even matter that quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was benched for Nick Foles in late September.
The offence just continues to sputter.
The big change for this game is that Bears head coach and chief offensive strategist Matt Nagy announced Friday he is turning over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.
“It’s a decision that I made and we’ve been talking about it as a whole staff,” Nagy said. “It’s very important for me to make sure that I’m doing everything that I possibly can to make the best decision for the Chicago Bears. And I think right now that’s where we’re at. When you’re in the position that we’re in right now, you want to make sure you’re looking for solutions.”
The Bears will be without running back David Montgomery, who remains in concussion protocol. Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce and sort-of receiver and kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson will carry the load for the Bears.
Rookie tight end Cole Kmet (groin) is questionable, as is receiver Allen Robinson (knee).
Trubisky, who now backs up Nick Foles, is out with a shoulder injury.
@JohnKryk
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