Bears vs Steelers: Keys for Chicago to reopen Club Dub

How can the Bears win on Monday night?

The Chicago Bears haven’t won a game since October 10 in Las Vegas, so that makes it nearly a month since the players got to experience Club Dub. Chicago will desperately be trying to get that losing taste out of their mouths on Monday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, because a fourth consecutive loss will make for an excruciatingly long bye week before their week 11 game on November 21.

But beating Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football is a tough ask, as no team has won more on Monday nights than the Steelers, and these Steelers are currently a six point favorite over the Bears.

However, when our Bears Over Beers guys (Jeff Berckes and EJ Snyder) spoke with the USA Today’s Neal Coolong in their latest podcast, Coolong made it sound like this is a winnable game for the Chicago. It’s funny how similar these two teams are, so this may be a close game that comes down to the quarterbacks.

Will the veteran gunslinger have enough to take down the youngster who is making his first prime time start?

Here’s what some of our guys believe the Bears need to do to get the win.

Ken Mitchell: On offense Chicago needs to move the ball on the ground to slow down the Steelers’ pass rush, whether that’s via the running backs or Justin Fields runs. Defensively, it’s all about the PRESSURE this week. The Bears have to find a way to pressure the home team or it’s going to be a long day in the Steel City.

ECD: Offensively the Bears need to do something in the passing game. It shouldn’t be this hard. Especially when they have a great run game to support plenty of play-action passes. On defense stop loafing and make the play. Akiem Hicks shouldn’t have to tackle players 30 yards into the secondary. The effort in the back half of the secondary needs to step up big time. On special teams just keep on keeping on. Oh, and let’s not be the worst punt coverage unit in the league.

Jack Salo: The Steelers feature one of the best pass rushes in football, and the Bears have absolutely collapsed to worse defenses already this year. Justin Fields will have to get the ball out quickly, and be decisive in his decisions to throw it away or run it when the options aren’t there. If you try to wait for a route to get open, T.J. Watt has already ripped it out of your hand. The line needs to open the middle for Khalil Herbert, because the outside runs only work as long as the defense isn’t looking for them.

On defense, an “active” Khalil Mack means the Bears can’t surrender multiple TD runs to another pocket passer quarterback (fingers crossed he plays). If the play isn’t there for the other team, make them take the sack/TFL rather than them make something out of nothing.

Sam Householder: When all hope is lost, the only thing that’s left is relief.

The Bears better figure out how to plug up the run and get after Ben because that’s their only chance on defense. The offensive line has to play their tails off against Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt.

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.: The Bears have been successful running the ball all season long, so whoever is lined up at running back that has to continue, but the Bears need to figure out a way to scheme up a few deep shots. Whether that’s with some max protect, or some play action and moving pockets, let’s see Fields push the ball downfield. On defense the Bears linemen have to be ready to get their hands up, because that ball will be coming out fast from Big Ben.

Now let’s move to the cinematic section of our keys this week.

Robert Zeglinski: I would remind the Bears that football is a B movie.

It’s stupid and it’s strange, a directionless story, especially for them, and the dialogue is lame and overly self-serious, also especially for them. But in the he said, he said, sometimes there’s some poetry, if you turn your back long enough, and let it happen naturally.

Josh Sunderbruch: The Bears must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. They must face their fear. They will permit it to pass over them and through them. And when it has gone past, they will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only Chicago will remain.

What are your keys for the Bears to get a win in Pittsburgh?