Mitchell Trubisky replaced under center as Bears fall to Rams

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was benched late in the Bears' loss to the Los Angeles Rams. (Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

by Cole Little - Senior Writer - Mon Nov 18 02:32:13 GMT-05:00 2019

LOS ANGELES — Limited to a single-digit scoring total, the Chicago Bears (4-6) were unable to settle into an offensive rhythm against the Los Angeles Rams (6-4) at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday. Drives led by Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky consistently stalled out, and Trubisky was eventually removed from the game. According to the Bears, Trubisky suffered a hip injury, which resulted in Chase Daniel taking over for him in the fourth quarter, but, nonetheless, Trubisky was rather ineffective prior to being taken out of the contest. Bears kicker Eddy Pineiro made matters worse for the Bears by going 0-for-2 on field-goal attempts. The Rams ultimately won the Week 11 matchup by a final score of 17-7.

Trubisky was 24-of-43 for 190 yards through the air, and he advanced the football inside the red zone only once. With the Bears trailing by 10 points late in the game, Trubisky watched the remainder of the loss while standing on the sideline with a baseball cap on. The Bears mustered just 74 rushing yards, partially due to starting running back David Montgomery coming into the game with an ankle injury that likely limited him. However, the Bears had a chance to take the lead on the game's opening drive, but Pineiro's 48-yard kick drifted wide left. On the very next play, Rams running back Todd Gurley II fumbled, and the Bears recovered. A turnover on downs by the Bears soon followed, though.

The Rams suffered yet another turnover on their next possession, with quarterback Jared Goff throwing an interception to linebacker Roquan Smith. Once again, Chicago failed to take advantage, with Pineiro sending a 47-yarder too far to the right. Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein nearly missed a 38-yard attempt on Los Angeles' ensuing drive, but the lofty kick carried just inside the uprights. Later in the second quarter, Trubisky threw an interception in Rams territory, and it set the stage for a quick march to the end zone by Los Angeles. The 4-play, 56-yard touchdown drive featured a 51-yard passing play involving Goff and wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

Kupp was initially credited with a touchdown on the play, but a replay review culminated in the officials ruling that Kupp fumbled before breaking the plane, with the ball bouncing out of bounds at the 1-yard line. Gurley proceeded to punch it in from one yard out, putting the Rams ahead 10-0 at the 3:28 mark of the second quarter. The Bears' lone score occurred on Chicago's first possession of the second half. Running back Tarik Cohen made a toe-tap catch near the sideline, with the ball clearing the goal line for a touchdown. The 14-yard score pulled the Bears to within three points of the Rams, and a lengthy scoring drought for both teams followed.

The Rams eventually retook their 10-point lead via a 5-yard rushing touchdown by running back Malcolm Brown, which came with under four minutes to play. Daniel finished off the game under center for the Bears but did not engineer a scoring drive. Wideout Taylor Gabriel was the Bears' leading receiver with 57 yards on seven receptions, and Smith led the Bears in tackling with 11 stops. It is unclear as to when Trubisky suffered his supposed hip injury. Regardless, it is worth wondering whether or not Trubisky's days as the Bears' starting quarterback are limited, as Chicago has lost five of its last six games and is in need of an offensive rejuvenation.