Getty Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky of the Chicago Bears and quarterback Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers will meet again Sunday.
The Chicago Bears have an extremely difficult test awaiting Week 17: Aaron Rodgers and the NFC’s No. 1 seed Green Bay Packers, who will be heading to Soldier Field with something to play for. The Bears also have something significant to play for: If they win, they’ll earn a playoff berth for the second time in two seasons. If they lose — which is the likeliest and most realistic outcome — they’ll need the Los Angeles Rams to beat the Arizona Cardinals.
While the Rams beating the Cardinals could absolutely still happen due to LA having one of the league’s best defenses, Sean McVay’s team just received a major blow that could also have huge implications for the Bears’ playoff hopes. NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Sports Illustrated’s Michael Silver, Rams quarterback Jared Goff suffered a broken thumb in the Rams’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday.
Jared Goff’s right thumb is broken, @RapSheet and I have learned
Then, later Monday evening, it was announced by the Rams official Twitter account that Goff has officially been ruled out of next Sunday’s season finale, as he had surgery to repair his thumb with the hopes of possibly returning for the postseason, should the Rams get in.
Jared Goff underwent surgery on his thumb this morning, John Wolford will start on Sunday.
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Rams QB Situation Could Hurt Bears’ Playoff Hopes
Now, the Rams playoff hopes — and potentially Chicago’s — hinge on John Wolford, the former Wake Forest quarterback, who will be making his first-ever start in an NFL game. He had 249 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 95.7 in four preseason games last year, but with a spot in the playoffs on the line, the Rams now have their work cut out for them with Wilford under center. If the Rams should lose, the Bears would have to beat the Packers to sneak into the postseason.
Monday afternoon, Schefter announced also the Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray has been dealing with a leg injury and is questionable for the game, as well, so the Rams-Cardinals game could get pretty interesting this weekend.
Cardinals’ HC Kliff Kingsbury said Kyler Murray has a “lower leg injury” and his status for Sunday’s game vs. Rams is uncertain.
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Bears Have Biggest Test of the Season Coming Up Week 17 vs Packers
The last time the Bears and Packers squared off less than a month ago, the Bears got entirely outplayed, losing 41-25 in a game that was never that close. Mitch Trubisky had his second-worst rating of the season, completing 56.5 percent of his passes for 242 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bears quarterback is 1-5 in his career against the Packers.
“It’s a must-win game just like these last couple of games have been. We definitely want to play our best ball and finish strong. So we gotta keep getting better, go back to work this week, have a great week of practice and go out there to give ourselves a great chance on Sunday,” Trubisky said about facing off against Green Bay.
The Bears will need to play their best football of the season next week — and they still may need a little help and a lot of luck to get into the playoffs.
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