Thursday Night Football: Chicago Bears vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Preview
Week two of the 2014 NFL preseason finally gets underway on Thursday night, as the Jacksonville Jaguars head to Chicago to take on the Bears. It’s the only game of the night, so NFL fans will be able to focus all of their attention of just these two teams.
It’s only the preseason, but now that we’re getting closer to that third game where the systems and rotations start to show themselves, how players fare is starting to get a little more important. Position battles, roles and injuries are all magnified, while some players hit the field for the first time this year.
Let’s break down the top five things to watch for in tonight’s preseason clash:
1. Toby Gerhart Makes His Jaguars Debut
After sitting out practice and missing Jacksonville’s first preseason game with a minor hip injury, Gerhart is fully expected to make his Jaguars debut on Thursday night. Gerhart will make the start as he begins his journey as a true feature back for Jacksonville, and will face a Bears front line that was dreadful a year ago. While Chicago’s unit should be improved, Gerhart should still look to carve them out as he gets off to a solid start.
2. Blake Bortles Tries to Make it 2 For 2
The rookie franchise passer is supposedly going to ride the pine all year as he learns the ropes, but due to a very solid start last week and Chad Henne being average, that may eventually change. Him putting forth a second straight solid effort in tonight’s game won’t quiet the masses in their desire to see him start right away in week one. Bortles still has some things to work on, but showed poise and good decision-making in the first preseason game.
3. Who Will Step Up Behind Matt Forte?
Everyone knows the Bears are going to heavily feature running back Matt Forte in their offense in 2014, as he had his best season of his career last year. However, with former backup Michael Bush gone, Chicago still needs to figure out how is going to spell him when he’s tired. Rookie fourth-round pick Ka’Deem Carey was thought to be that guy, but so far hasn’t really separated himself from the pack. Fans will want to keep an eye on Carey and the other backs behind Forte to see if we get any closer to a resolution tonight.
4. Chicago’s Backup Quarterback Competition
Jay Cutler is Chicago’s starting quarterback and that won’t ever change, but thanks to a shaky injury history, Bears fans may want to pay attention to the competition for the right to be his top backup. Jimmy Clausen leads that battle at the moment, as he has a narrow edge over Jordan Palmer. The Bears are probably toast with either at the helm in 2014, but it will be interesting to see who wins the battle, nonetheless.
5. Marqise Lee’s Effort on Watch
The rookie wide receiver out of USC was drafted in the second round this year to come in and help replace Justin Blackmon, something he hasn’t done a great job of yet. Head coach Gus Bradley even called Lee out for not giving his all every play. Look for Lee to respond with a better effort and a better overall performance in his second preseason game.
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