The Steelers travel to Soldier Field attempting to accomplish something rare, beating the Chicago Bears in the Windy City. “Da Bears” have beaten the Steelers 11 of 12 times on their home turf. However, Chicago is a mere 4-17 at home in the John Fox era. Pittsburgh's only victory in a Chicago venue was an overtime win in 1995. The Steelers are 2-0, while the Bears are 0-2. The Bears are embarrassed, wounded and not to be taken lightly. Get to know them a little better as BTSC previews the 2017 Monsters of the Midway.
*Denotes probable starter
COACHING
Head Coach: John Fox (128-114 during 16-year career, 9-25 in Chicago)
Offensive Coordinator: Dowell Loggains
Defensive Coordinator: Vic Fangio
Special Teams Coach: Jeff Rodgers
OFFENSE
*No. 8 QB Mike Glennon
When Glennon got big money from the Bears in March, he didn't know that he was going to be looking over his shoulder at the No. 2 player selected in the draft. But who is going to pass up a guaranteed $19 million? Glennon, who defeated the Steelers in 2014 with Tampa, is still getting the starting nod for the 0-2 Bears. On the season, the 6'7" passer has thrown for 514 yards with a completion percentage of 67.1%. He has thrown two touchdowns against two interceptions. Sacked five times in two games, the Steelers best bet would be to pressure Glennon into mistakes. But they can't take him lightly.
Other Bears Quarterbacks to Note: No. 10 Mitch Trubisky, No. 6 Mark Sanchez
*No. 24 RB Jordan Howard
The strength of the Bears’ offense has been their running attack. Last year, Howard had a phenomenal rookie campaign. Thus year, however, Howard is struggling behind a dilapidated line. No. 24 is averaging 2.7 ypc and has only 59 yards on the ground. Howard has Kyle Long back blocking now, though, and he’s got the power and shiftiness to move the chains. But a shoulder injury currently has him limited in practice and he doesn't catch the ball well out of the backfield.
Other Bears Running Backs to Note: No. 29 Tarik Cohen, No. 30 Benny Cunningham, *No. 46 Mike Burton
*No. 12 WR Markus Wheaton
Steelers Nation knows Wheaton quite well. With Cameron Meredith and Kevin White out for the year, the Bears are banking on Wheaton's impressive speed to stretch and exploit the Steelers’ defense. The Steelers are banking on Wheaton having a case of the drops that afflicted him so much in Pittsburgh.
Other Bears Wide Receivers to Note: *No. 13 Kendall Wright, No. 14 Deonte Thompson, No. 15 Josh Bellamy
No. 86 TE Zach Miller
Miller has the second-most targets on the Bears and he’s consistently the team's most reliable pass catcher. Miller has ten catches for 81 yards on the season and the Steelers will probably see a lot of him on Sunday.
Other Bears Tight Ends to Note: *No. 88 Dion Sims, No. 87 Adam Shaheen
*No. 75 LG Kyle Long
Long hasn't played in ten months due to a broken ankle, but he's been a full participant in practice and is expected to make his return against the Steelers on Sunday. The Bears are hoping that Long's return brings a huge boost to what has been a disappointing running attack and to a line that’s allowed the second-most quarterback hits in the NFL for the past two weeks. The Bears’ medical team believes that the 3-time selection for the Pro Bowl is ready for action.
Other Bears Offensive Linemen to Note: *No. 72 LT Charles Leno, *No. 65 C Cody Whitehair, *No. 71 RG Josh Sitton, *No. 70 RT Bobbie Massie, No. 79 T Bradley Sowell, No. 55 C Hroniss Grasu, No. 76 T Tom Compton
DEFENSE
*No. 96 LDE Akiem Hicks
Hicks is a huge guy with long arms who can get to the quarterback. The 6'5" and 318-pounder was described by Mike Tomlin in his presser as a big-time disrupter. Hicks has only six tackles on the season, but two of them are among his 18 1/2 career sacks in five-plus seasons. David DeCastro will see a good bit of No. 96 this weekend, making it one of the game’s marquee matchups. Hicks has been limited in practice this week with an injured shoulder.
Other Bears Defensive Linemen to Note: *No. 91 NT Eddie Goldman, *No. 98 DE Mitch Unrein, No. 73 NT John Jenkins, No. 90 DE Jonathan Bullard, No. 74 DE Roy Robertson-Harris
*No. 59 SLB Danny Trevathan
The Bears have lost two linebackers in two weeks with Jerrell Freeman gone for the season with a pectoral tear and Danny Kwiatoski also succumbing to injury last week. Danny Trevathan is now calling plays on the defense for Chicago and he’ll be called on to step up and limit Le'Veon Bell. Trevathan and Christian Jones couldn’t contain Tampa's Jacquizz Rodgers last week, so this could be the breakout week for Bell.
Other Bears Linebackers to Note: *No. 97 LOLB Willie Young, *No. 52 LILB Christian Jones, *No. 94 ROLB Leonard Floyd, No. 93 OLB Sam Acho, No. 92 OLB Pernell McPhee, No 58 ILB Jonathan Anderson, No. 44 ILB Nick Kwiatkoski
No. 39 S Eddie Jackson
The 6-foot ball hawk from Alabama was a find for the Bears in the 2017 draft's fourth round. The instinctual Jackson is a converted cornerback with excellent coverage skills.
Other Bears Defensive Backs to Note: No. 20 CB Prince Amukamara, No. 21 SS Quintin Demps, No. 38 FS Adrian Amos, No. 31 CB Marcus Cooper, No. 23 CB Kyle Fuller, No. 37 CB Bryce Callahan, No. 26 S Deon Bush
SPECIAL TEAMS
No. 29 PR Tarik Cohen
Cohen is a speedy playmaker for Chicago in all facets of the offensive game. The 5'6" Cohen from North Carolina A&T has run a 4.2 in the 40 and the Steelers have to be aware of what he can do with the ball in his hands. Cohen is looking to rebound from a huge mistake last week when he tried to pick up a bouncing punt in traffic that ended up in the hands of Tampa.
Other Bears Special Teamers to Note: No. 4 K Connor Barth, No. 16 P/H Pat O'Donnell, No. 49 LS Andrew Depaola, 14 KR Deonte Thompson, No. 37 PR Bryce Callahan