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.
Do you think that the injury Mitchell Trubisky suffered while scrambling against the Vikings will cause him to think twice about running in the future?
Thomas J.
Merrillville, Indiana
I don't expect Mitchell Trubisky to change the way he plays the game at all moving forward. He has done a great job of picking up yards on the ground both on scrambles and read-option plays and will continue to do so. He knows he has to be smart and not take off running until he's gone through all of his progressions, and he also understands that he has to either slide or get out of bounds to avoid taking big hits. Here's what the Bears quarterback had to say this week about running with the ball: "I've done a real good job of getting yardage for this team, creating positive plays and causing trouble for the defenses while also protecting myself. Nothing's going to change when I get back. I'm going to continue to stay aggressive and play ball the way I know how. I think I've done a pretty good job and I've just got to continue to make sure I'm taking care of the football and taking care of myself and creating plays for this offense."
What is the earliest the Bears can clinch the NFC North title?
Paul H.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
The earliest the Bears can clinch the NFC North is Dec. 9, but the only way that would happen is if they beat the Giants and Rams while the Vikings lose to the Patriots and Seahawks. In that scenario, the Bears would be 10-3 and the Vikings would be 6-6-1 with three games remaining. The best the Packers could be by the end of Week 14 is 6-6-1 even if they win their next two games. If the Bears beat the Packers Dec. 16, Green Bay cannot finish ahead of Chicago regardless how the teams fare in their other games.
When was the last time two Bears players won defensive player of the month awards in the same season?
Ryan G.
Oak Forest, Illinois
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack (September) and safety Eddie Jackson (November) became the first Bears teammates to win defensive player of the month awards since 2012 when cornerbacks Tim Jennings (September) and Charles Tillman (October) accomplished the feat. It also happened in 2010 with defensive end Julius Peppers (November) and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (December).
