Trubisky puts Bears in playoff position with romp over Jacksonville

[December 28, 2020]  Mitchell Trubisky passed for 265 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another score, and David Montgomery rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown as the visiting Chicago Bears defeated the reeling Jacksonville Jaguars 41-17 on Sunday to move into sole possession of the final NFC wild card spot.

Chicago (8-7) won its third straight game on the heels of a six-game losing streak, while the Jaguars (1-14) suffered their 14th consecutive defeat.

The Bears entered the afternoon with a boost after the team they were chasing in the playoff race, the Arizona Cardinals, lost on Saturday evening.

With veteran quarterback Mike Glennon, a former Bear, starting over Gardner Minshew after a competition earlier in the week, Jacksonville stayed with Chicago in the early going. The Jaguars drew to within 10-10 on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Glennon to DJ Chark to cap a 10-play, 70-yard drive with 8:21 remaining in the second quarter.

Chicago responded with 31 consecutive points after that, topping 30 points for the fourth consecutive week. The Bears outgained the Jaguars 391-279.

Placekicker Cairo Santos started the run with a 40-yard field goal with as time expired in the second quarter to give the Bears a 13-10 lead.

The Bears seized control with three third-quarter touchdowns.

Trubisky opened the spurt with a 6-yard scoring run with 9:14 remaining before Montgomery scored from the same distance out with 3:17 left in the third. Just 47 seconds later, following a Roquan Smith interception of Glennon, the Bears scored again as Trubisky found Jimmy Graham for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 2:30 remaining.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (17) catches the ball for a touchdown against Chicago Bears cornerback Kindle Vildor (22) during the first half at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Trubisky finished 24-for-35 with two touchdowns and one interception. Allen Robinson had 10 receptions for 103 yards.

Glennon was 24-for-37 for 211 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Dare Ogunbowale led the Jacksonville ground game with 14 rushes for 71 yards, while Chark had four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown.

Montgomery finished just shy of his fourth 100-yard rushing game in five weeks but the Bears remained effective on the ground, running for 128 yards.

--Field Level Media

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