Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
I was very surprised by the lack of pressure the Bears got on Matthew Stafford. Do you see them blitzing more?
Marty B.
Overland Park, Kansas
I think the Bears will able to generate a more consistent pass rush without having to blitz more. They certainly didn't produce enough pressure on Matthew Stafford in the season opener against the Lions. But Stafford got rid of the ball quickly and the Bears trailed most of the game, so the Lions could stick with their run game. If the Bears take a lead and improve defending the ground game, I'm confident they'll produce a lot more pressure on the quarterback.
I remember attending a big season-opening Monday Night Football game between the Bears and Giants in 1987, pitting the last two Super Bowl champions against each other. I know the Bears won, but can you please share some of the details of that game?
Fred K.
Evanston, Illinois
I attended that game as a fan as well and it certainly was an exciting one to watch with a lot of big plays. The Bears beat the defending Super Bowl champions 34-19, scoring 24 unanswered points after the Giants had taken a 7-0 lead. The Bears scored touchdowns on Mike Tomczak passes of 56 yards to Willie Gault and 42 yards to Ron Morris and a spectacular 94-yard punt return by Dennis McKinnon. The Bears defense permitted only one touchdown in the game; the Giants scored their other two TDs by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone and returning an interception 70 yards.
I know the Bears have played the Giants each of the last two years. How has Mitchell Trubisky fared in those games?
Andy K.
Crete, Illinois
Mitchell Trubisky did not play in the 2018 game against the Giants due to an injury. In last year's contest at Soldier Field, Trubisky completed 25 of 41 passes for 278 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 19-14 win. The Bears trailed 7-3 at halftime, but Trubisky connected with Allen Robinson II for a 32-yard touchdown and a 49-yard pass that set up Eddy Piñeiro's 24-yard field goal to help the Bears outscore the Giants 16-0 in the third quarter.
Chalk Talk features fan questions multiple times each week. Email your question to Larry.
