NFC Notes: Bears, Lions, Seahawks

Bears

After losing six straight games, the Bears have righted the ship somewhat to stay in playoff contention at 7-7. The return of QB Mitchell Trubisky has played a factor but Bears RB David Montgomery has also been terrific, turning in the best four-game stretch of his career. Montgomery handled 33 touches for 162 yards in Chicago’s key NFC North win over the Vikings Sunday and he’s welcomed proving he’s worthy of that large a workload going forward. 

“Make it count,” Montgomery said via Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. “Let’s not regret giving me that many carries. Let me make sure I show my O-line that I’m giving them everything that I got, show the wide receivers that I’m giving them everything I’ve got every chance I get.”

• Per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Bears HC Matt Nagy says he’s seen a major difference in Trubisky since he was benched earlier in the season: “I really believe, for different reasons, it put him in a position to step back and realize where he’s at. And now, he’s using what happened to him as a positive.
• The Athletic’s Adam Jahns writes that Trubisky has played well enough in recent weeks that it’s no longer out of the question that he returns in 2021. 
• Chicago will have limited options at quarterback next year. Nick Foles is still under contract but Jahns notes the Bears don’t have a lot of cap space or a high draft pick to pursue clear-cut upgrades. 
• Trubisky has the advantage of familiarity in the system. But Jahns adds it’s not out of the question he wants a break from Chicago and to explore his options elsewhere. 
• Bears WR/RB/KR Cordarrelle Patterson avoided a serious knee injury and appears to have a chance to play this week against the Jaguars. (Tom Pelissero)

Lions

After an injury that tore his rib cartilage last week, Lions QB Matthew Stafford wasn’t sure if he would play against the Titans. He was in a great deal of pain earlier in the week and could barely move. The Lions were all but eliminated from playoff contention but Stafford still felt compelled to push to play. 

“Because I’m the quarterback of the Detroit Lions, and it was Sunday, and I got a bunch of teammates out there that work their ass off,” Stafford said via Kyle Meinke of the Detroit Free Press. “They fight to be available, fight to get out there and play and try and help us win. If there’s any way I can play, I’m never going to not, you know? It’s just I feel like I owe it to those guys. I owe it to the game. I owe it to this organization — everybody. If I’m good enough to play, healthy enough to play, my ass is going to be out there.”

• Lions interim HC Darrell Bevell made the decision to fire ST coordinator Brayden Coombs after he went rogue on a fake call. The decision was cleared by team president Rod Wood. (Meinke)
• Coombs will be replaced by assistant special teams coach Marquice Williams for the final two games. (Dave Birkett)

Seahawks

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Seahawks fourth-round RB Deejay Dallas has a Grade 3 ankle sprain and will be out multiple weeks. 
• Seahawks G Mike Iupati suffered a stinger again after dealing with the injury last year, per HC Pete Carroll: “Don’t know right now how serious that is. He has a history so we’ve got to take care of him.” (Bob Condotta)