Bears vs. Jaguars preview: 5 things to watch in the Week 16 matchup

Remember the last time the Bears and Jaguars played? When the 2016 Bears (who finished 3-13) blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead against quarterback Blake Bortles and a Jaguars team that also finished 3-13.

Yeah, it’s best left forgotten.

Anyway, the Bears (7-7) and the Jaguars (1-13) will meet again this Sunday. The Bears desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Here are five things to watch in Sunday’s game:

1. Cam Robinson vs. Mack & Quinn

Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson will be among the top free agent tackles this offseason. Despite playing with multiple quarterbacks this season and all sorts of struggles during a 13-game losing streak, the offensive line has been halfway decent protecting quarterbacks. Opponents’ pressure rate against the Jaguars (19.6% of drop backs, according to Pro Football Reference) is in the top half of the league. Robinson, a 2017 second-round pick, is one reason why.

He will have his hands full with Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack, though. Robert Quinn finally broke his sack-less streak last week and will be looking to find a groove.

2. Running back duel

It’s too soon to know for sure, but it sounds like Jacksonville running back James Robinson could play on Sunday, despite missing practice time due to an ankle injury.

The Rockford native has been one of the few highlights for the Jaguars this season. If Robinson does play, the duel between him and David Montgomery should be fun to watch. They are two of only four running backs in the NFL with at least 700 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards (the others being Alvin Kamara and Dalvin Cook) after Week 15.

3. A-Rob’s return to Jacksonville

Bears receiver Allen Robinson returns to Jacksonville for the first time since leaving the Jaguars via free agency for Chicago in 2018. Robinson is playing his best football right now and should have ample opportunity to make plays against a struggling Jacksonville secondary. His rapport with quarterback Mitch Trubisky is paying off since Trubisky returned to the starting job.

Robinson has caught at least four passes and totaled at least 70 yards in each of the past four games. He has three touchdowns over that stretch.

4. Cairo Santos’ field goal streak

Who would’ve imagined that watching Bears field goal attempts might be fun in 2020? Cody Parkey’s tenure finally feels like a long time ago.

Cairo Santos’ streak of consecutive made field goals is now up to 22. He is narrowing in on Robbie Gould’s team record of 26, set during the 2006 season. As Santos closes in on the team record, every field goal attempt is becoming must-watch TV.

With a sunny day in the forecast Sunday in Jacksonville, the weather shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

5. Can the Bears’ D rebound against a bad opponent?

The offense carried the defense last week in Minnesota. That has happened a few times lately and it feel unusual for a Chicago Bears defense.

So can this unit rebound against an opponent it should beat? This Jaguars offense has weapons in James Robinson and DJ Chark. Still, this is a team the Bears should overpower.

The Bears played one of their best defensive games two weeks ago against Houston, recording seven sacks. It all has to start up front for the Bears defense. If it finds ways to pressure the quarterback, it will have success.