Upon hearing that Alshon Jeffery will miss this Sunday’s game when the Chicago Bears visit the Seattle Seahawks, it is easy to feel that the Bears’ fans will be looking at an 0-3 start to the season. Bears fans would love a break of some sorts, some good news if you will. Unfortunately, that break will not happen this week.
Per CSN Chicago , Alshon Jeffery is sitting out against the Seahawks due to a hamstring injury that has hampered him throughout training camp and the regular season. Jeffery decided to give it a try in the season opener when the Green Bay Packers came to Chicago. The results on the field were mixed to say the least.
The Pro Bowl wide receiver caught five passes for 78 yards. Jeffery was thrown to 11 times.
It is unclear whether or not Alshon Jeffery aggravated his injury in week 1. What is clear is that the Chicago Bears need playmakers. Not having him on the field is going to hurt the team tremendously. Any chances the Bears had of scoring an upset was immediately tossed out. While people say “On Any given Sunday” in order to be hopeful, the Chicago Bears’ chances of even being competitive versus the Seahawks are sketchy.
#Bears to face Seahawks without Jay Cutler, Alshon Jeffery: http://t.co/yvrxF2W5Mt ( @CSNMoonMullin ) #BearsTalk pic.twitter.com/13cii5yOWB
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) September 25, 2015
What Alshon Jeffery brings to the Bears is a big target who can make difficult catches. He is not a burner, aka a speed player, but when healthy, he has enough speed to get separation from opposing cornerbacks.
Jeffery can win most one-on-one matchups. His six-foot, four-inch, 230-pound frame nearly gives him a tight end’s physique.
When you are that big as a receiver, with good hands, you can win most battles. The Bears need him to provide mismatches. They need him to be healthy enough to challenge an opposing defense. Jeffery is especially needed for the challenge that the Seattle Seahawks present. His availability would have helped backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen ease into the starting QB role for at least this week.
Alshon Jeffery is not the only Bears’ player of note slated to miss the Seattle game this Sunday.
The Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback, Jay Cutler, will also miss Sunday’s game (courtesy of the Chicago Tribune ) with hamstring injuries of his own.
Cutler, along with Alshon Jeffery, would have given the Chicago Bears a better chance at scoring a monumental upset.
For all of his perceived flaws, Cutler has a strong arm. When he is quarterbacking the Chicago Bears using shorter, more accurate throws, they can defeat anyone on any particular day. The Bears do not have Cutler at their disposal.
Not having Alshon Jeffery 0r Jay Cutler will hurt the Chicago Bears in terms of productivity. The million dollar question is can they stay close in this game?
[Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Sport]
