Da Dos

Comments

  • Bears Quarterly Report

    Bears Quarterly Report

    One thing Lovie did get right, breaking up seasons into quarters. That might have to change once the NFL adds that inevitable 18th game, but we’ll cross that bridge later.

    Also, here’s my chance to say, “THANKS, LOVIE!“

    Yes, he was obstinate, stubborn, inflexible, uncreative, condescending, and low-key cocky, but I tell you what he wasn’t.

    Lovie wasn’t Wanny, Jauron, Trestman, Fox, Nagy, Eberflus or Thomas Brown [that’s right, bet you forgot about Brown!]

    Lovie had his warts, but under his reign, the Bears were contenders, got off the bus running, defensive tornados, and Hester special. If Bears simply kept handing it off in the SB to Thomas Jones, LOVIE, and not Tony Dungy, becomes the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl and likely enters the HOF.

    Not to mention Lovie perhaps did more to help the Bears AWAY from Halas.

    The fact that miraculous finish came against the Colts is not lost on me. It’s enough to make one believe in God, Karma, synchronicity, or the Matrix. The universe righted a wrong in improbable fashion and that play basically resulted in Caleb, which in turn, lead to Ben Johnson, and now here we are, 3-1 with two different backup QBs heading into rivalry week vs Puke who BJ/Caleb eliminated in epic fashion last playoffs.

    Which brings me to my thesis.

    Ben Johnson is Bears’ savior.

    Goes without saying, need more sample size, nevertheless trending that way. I was thinking of the great Head Coaches, what they share in common.

    Off the top of my head, McVay. Ok, he took Goff to the SB. Traded Goff for Stafford [whom many considered a bust back then] and won a SB.

    Kyle Shanahan always fields a contender despite perennial MASH units in a tough NFCW with literally “Mr. Irrelevant” at QB. He also helped Darnold and Mac Jones.

    [Here we can also admit the limits of coaching as it could not save the 3rd overall pick Trey Lance, nor Fields, Trubisky or Cutler.]

    Andy Reid has improved most QBs he touches: Favre, McNabb, Vick, Jeff Garcia, Alex Smith [like Stafford considered a bust], Mahomes.

    Bill Walsh of course won with Joe Montana, but he also spotted something in Steve Young who busted in Tampa for two years. Fast forward, 9ers trade Joe, Young wins some SBs with 9ers and now a HOFer.

    Could provide more examples, but you get the drift.

    Great HCs, like great teachers, optimize their students, and their #1 student is the QB.

    The Bears have won with Caleb, Bagent and a 38 yr old Case Keenum. Let’s also not forget that Ben Johnson made a castaway Goff look like an MVP in Detroit.

    BTW. Dan Campbell’s coaching career:
    With Ben Johnson: 36-15 record
    Without Ben Johnson: 11–20-1 record

    Apparently, Campbell no longer bites but gums knees.

    Case scored 27. Bagent 23. Neither Eagles or Jets’ D are pushovers. Let’s say Caleb misses 4 more games, and the Bears still avg approx 24 ppg through six games with backups.

    That’s enough to win no matter who QBs.

    That statement ontologically shocks us long QB-suffering Bears’ fans.

    All of this evidence points to Ben Johnson being an elite HC. An HC who can realistically, not hypothetically like with Nagy, win[almost] regardless of QB.

    That’s what the first quarter of the Bears ’26 season reports to me.

    Oh, and btw, Bears’ D is a top 5 unit…

    OT:
    Warren Sharp@SharpFootball
    ·Oct 5
    if you watched the NFL and thought something didn’t feel right, you’re not alone:

    #1 most flags in over a decade

    thru 4 weeks, refs are impacting the most CRITICAL moments of games most:

    #1 most red zone penalties per game by offenses in history
    #1 most penalties on 3rd/4th downs in the second half of games in history

    and 17 touchdowns nullified by penalty! (vs only 5 in 2025 & 4 in 2024)

    Refs are impacting the most important moments of games unlike we’ve ever seen before in the NFL, and even some of the coaches are speaking up.

    Butch note. It always SEEMS like flags are flying, esp at the start of the season which is basically pre-season now, but no, we’re not imagining it.

    Bears committed a lot of penalties, esp pre-snap, in those first 3 games. I mused that maybe that’s not a bug but a feature in a high-motion offense. I was about to research if other heavy motion Os like Rams and 9ers also commit more penalties. Premise, like high end cars, more moving parts, more shit can go wrong. Investigate…

    However, this seems to be a league-wide trend. Besides, Bears have reduced the penalties.

    Via Scharf:
    I don’t think we’ve mentioned this bit either, but after the start of the game yesterday, the Bears essentially quit having penalties.

    Week 1: 12
    Week 2: 12
    Week 3: 5
    Week 4: 4
    BIG improvement.

    The premise can still be true only less relevant to us – for now.


  • Rapid Reax. Jets@Bears

    Rapid Reax. Jets@Bears

    Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent celebrates after a 23-12 victory over the Jets on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

    Oh boy, this is like game 1, info overload. You know when stat and historian nerds are posting like crazy on Twitter that the game had some real sizzle going.

    My overall impression? Bears sharp. The Jets is the Jets.

    Bears didn’t even have to punt. Part of that was BJ, but mostly Jet ineptitude.

    Brad Biggs@BradBiggs
    ·6h
    The #Bears did not punt today.
    First time that has happened since Sept. 28, 2014 game vs. Green Bay.
    It’s the fourth time in the Super Bowl era that Chicago has gone through a game without punting.

    The D again looked more dominant than the O. I saw something in that Vikings’ game despite the loss. I watched a fast, disciplined, hungry D, disguising, moving, timing it perfectly, peanut punching, swiping…on paper, they’re not nearly as talented as say, Texans or Lions, but as a unit, holy smokes, they’re feisty fucks. Jets were 0-7 on 3rd down attempts at one point. Tip o hat, Dennis Allen.
    Kevin Fishbain@kfishbain
    ·4h
    The Bears’ defense has allowed only 2 touchdowns on their last 24 drives    .
    SūmerSports@SumerSports
    ·5h
    The Bears had more first downs than their opponent (the Jets) had offensive plays today.
    It’s the first time that’s happened since 2016.

    Courtney Cronin@CourtneyRCronin
    ·5h
    The Bears are the 4th team since the 1970 merger to run 57 or more plays (89 plays to the Jets’ 32) than their opponent in a game.
    Chicago’s +27 first down differential is their most in a game in franchise history.
    Brad Biggs@BradBiggs
    ·4h
    Fewest offensive plays run by a team according to Pro Football Reference:
    32 – Jets in today’s loss to #Bears
    31 – Saints in a 40-7 loss to STL Cardinals, Oct. 5, 1980
    30 – Raiders in a 31-0 loss at Chiefs, Oct. 19, 2025
    28 – Browns in a 43-0 loss to Steelers, Sept. 12, 1999

    What’s the saying, the best defense is a good offense, well, apparently, the best defense is for the other team to never possess the ball. The Jets’ O had the ball for a grand total of 45 seconds in the entire 4th QTR. Wowzers.

    And don’t look now, but Dayo is indeed motivated. He has recorded his 3rd sack in 3 straight games.

    Oh, and Thieneman once more lead the Bears’ D in tackles with 7. He’s been the leading tackler in every game. Too early for DROY?

    On O, well, a bit more wobbily, but that’s to be expected with a 2nd stringer coming off concussion protocol.
    Firstly, we didn’t hear the name Theo Benedet, so whatever BJ schemed up, worked.
    Secondly, that Oline for the 2nd straight week mauled a talented Dline [with a backup QB no less].
    Thirdly, Chunungai!

    Chicago loves green beer, Portillos and roughneck RBs. Monangai told the Jets ‘I’ve come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass, and I’m all out of bubble gum.’

    He’s not Sayers. He’s probably as fast as Forte who was much bigger. But what Monangai can do is hit that hole hard. I don’t know if PFF keeps a metric as to how quickly HBs get to the LOS, but I’d bet Monangai is up there. A bowling ball isn’t huge, but nobody wants to get in front of one barreling down the lane full speed. Couple that with patience, instincts, vision and uncanny ball security [hasn’t fumbled since HS, ahem, Swift], and he’s going keep Ds up at night. Kinda reminds me of Marion the Barbarian Barber.

    Unfortunately, he may have a hand/thumb INJ, so we’ll have to get updated on that.

    Speaking of fumbles, Swift. He hasn’t been known as a fumbler, so it was a bit shocking that he just dropped the ball. No Ronnie Lott hit, Peanut Punch, crazy flip…he just dropped it. BJ essentially benched him thereafter. We even got some RoJo at the goaline, so either Swift isn’t right, or BJ was steaming.

    I predicted 27-10, and it was close to that. The unknown unknown was Bagent, and I just wasn’t sure if he’d be as efficient as Case Keenum, esp vs blitz.

    Bagent was OK. About what one expects out of a backup. He was better than Geno, that’s for sure. But you think the Fins or Bucs are gonna jump in a bidding war for Bagent any time soon? Niet.

    What worries me is his eyes. He stares receivers down, which pairs horribly with a limp arm. I don’t know if his arm is livelier than Keenum’s TBH. He essentially threw 2 [bad] INTs and maybe 1 other. How do you think Bagent looks vs Flores? Exactly.

    But, he also made some clutch throws, moved the chains, and did enough to score. I saw him out there killing plays, moving guys into position, and generally in control. It’s just that he inexplicably turns into Glennon 2-3 times a game. His career INTs [6] to TDs [3] ratio testifies to that. His QB rating is 73.1 thus far – Andy Dalton’s on Bears was 76.9

    Special shot out to Rome who ran crisp routes and made contested catches. That’s exactly what he was drafted for, so hope he continues ascending.

    As for BJ and the general gameplan – BJ gonna BJ.
    He absolutely must work on goaline O.
    Bears have struggled striking the A gaps all season.

    BJ masks it with all kinds of motion, traps, stretches, reverses, boots, trip TEs…

    He had freaking Rome essentially as a FB when they got stuffed

    It’d be nice to be able to lineup a real Suhey FB and just blast those inside gaps without trickeration.

    Short yd situations def need to improve esp if BJ’s going to continue going for it on every 4rth.

    I think we’re just going to have to live with Ben Johnson’s sigma chakra.

    If BJ plays it conservatively on two drives, that results in 6 points.

    Instead, he gets stuffed on one, then score a TD on the other 4rth. 7 points.

    Or as Clockwork Orange and Blue quipped:
    “7>6. Analytics!!”

    BJ did ‘settle’ for a FG later to extend the lead, so he’s not totally bonkers. Just, ya know, a lil insane.

  • Jets@BearsWK4

    Jets@BearsWK4

    [2-1] Bears currently 6th in the NFC. O/U 43 points
    CHI currently favored -3.5.

    Think that’s a bit telling considering we technically don’t even know if our 2nd or 3rd string QB is starting. I tell you this much, I’d prefer a BJ coached Bagent or Keenum over Geno Smith regardless.

    INJs.
    Courtney Cronin@CourtneyRCronin
    The Bears are placing Braxton Jones on IR after he sustained a knee injury against Philly. Theo Benedet will start at left tackle tomorrow.

    Nick McCloud and Marcus Davenport were elevated from PS to game day roster.
    Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
    ·Oct 2
    Players out for Sunday include Jayden Daniels, Rachaad White, Caleb Williams, Breece Hall, Adonai Mitchell, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Zach Baun, Terrance Ferguson, Aaron Donald, Azeez Al-Shaair, Cobie Durant, DeMarvion Overshown, Aaron Banks, Rueben Bain, Baker Mayfield, Justin Jefferson, Jadarian Price, Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Josh Simmons, Xavier Legette, Damien Lewis.

    Breece Hall missing is bigly. He’s a talented HB. This should put more pressure on Geno Smith esp since WR Mitchell is ruled out too.

    On the flipside, Braxton Jones has been moved to IR which means Canadian Eagle gets another start at LT. Man, it feels like Borom all over again; he keeps popping up like a bad penny. I like him, but he’s 3rd string for a reason, and when the shit hit the fan in the playoffs last season, BJ opted to move Thuney to LT instead of starting Theo Benedet. This might be why the TEs aren’t winning any FF games as BJ is mostly using them to chip, block, crack-back, etc to help out in the run game and protect the backup QBs.

    It’s notable that Fangio decided to blitz. Fangio mostly plays it straight up, but after Keenum diced the Eagles’ D in that first drive, Fangio sent the dogs. Well, Keenum burned them going 11/11 vs blitz.

    So if you’re the Jets DC, what to do now? This is where Bagent/Keenum starting may affect gameplan and why BJ kept it so top secret.

    One trend to note is the halftime scoring. I said it’s like good cop, bad cop, and if BJ doesn’t pass on an easy FG vs Eagles, they score 13 points in the first half.

    Well, if the trend holds, this game should be ‘bad’ in which Bears don’t score over 10 points. I’m further worried because BJ scores about 5.75 points against the NFCN. These are DCs who know him. Well, Aaron Glenn [former Lions’ DC] KNOWS him better than most, so time for BJ to do that Maverick shit and buck the trend.

    It’s hard to predict not knowing the QB, but if it’s Keenum, I’d say Bears win 27-10

    If Bagent plays [and most ‘insiders’ say he will] I’m not as certain because he’s an ‘unknown unknown’ – can he go 11/11 vs blitz? Dunno. Maybe his scrambling converts a few key 3rds.

    Regardless of who starts [likely Bagent], they shouldn’t have to worry about chucking too many INTs.

    The Jets have gone 20 games w/out an INT. That’s 637 days for those counting.

    All that being said,
    Yo, Ben Johnson. TAKE THE FUCKING POINTS.
    Kicking a FG and going up 10-0 with a 3rd string QB doesn’t make you a cuck!

    Me imploring BJ to turn it down a notch…

    CBear basically highlighted the same matchups BJ did in his presser.

    The Beloved have 3 matchups to watch. JJ vs Garret Wilson. advantage Wilson.

    Thieneman vs Sadiq I think Geno understimates Dillon’s speed and he takes an INT to the house.

    Darnell vs Bailey. I predict the Jets move Bailey to the other side during the game because Darnell is owning him.

    Advantage 2-1 Bears!

    No prediction on the score but I’m looking at a Bears W!

    I echo his sentiments. I believe Dennis Allen D keeps cooking and forces at least 3 TOs [that’s right, the hat-trick] so let’s goooooooo!

    Bear the fuck down!🐻⬇️🐾

  • Saturday Stirrings

    Saturday Stirrings

    I normally don’t watch coaches, GMs, or whatever the hell Warren is, at the podium. It’s mostly lies, misdirection, and innuendo. I guess if you’re training to be a spy, be my guest – sharpen your human lie detector skills.
    We as fans should expect this, but for some reason, some still get outraged when a team doesn’t reply candidly when TBH it’d be stupid for a coach to telegraph gameplans to opponents.

    Case in point.


    “Who’s starting QB? follow up question, c’mmoooon”

    Ben Johnson:

    Now I’m sure the Jets have a good idea about who’s really starting, but why make it easy? Hitler knew the Allies were landing SOMEHERE, but he fell for the ole head fake and thought it was Pas de Calais. By the time he woke up from his beauty sleep, Eisenhower had his boot firmly up his ass.

    So Keenum/Bagent. Guess we’ll find out. I’d personally go with Keenum, but Halas is def selling how much they want Bagent.

    Few Notes.

    -Trapilo is back but not necessarily starting. Truly remarkable.
    – Gordon decided to return from his extended vacation. Has a 21 day window to return
    – Caleb ruled out. Miller Moss might start for all we know [wink wink]
    – BJ thinks Jets’ Dline quick off the snap. Be a handful.
    – Theo is starting. Wonder if Braxton more INJed than assumed.
    – Highlights TE Kenyon Sadiq and WR Garrett Wilson as problems
    – Loveland playing well despite the stats
    – BJ admits he must get more in the mix, but his first priority is blocking and protection
    – Dennis Allen great job of mixing it up in coverages, blitzes. Trying to get Thieneman closer to the ball.
    – Thuney volunteered to block on FGs. Tyrique on specials. ‘Everyone is itching’. Great culture.

    This just in…beep beep beep beep…Titans still suck.
    Which means the ole “Jeffery Simmons” trade talks is back. I’m just going to keep mentioning this to manifest it into existence. Sure, the Titans just gifted him millions, but that didn’t stop the Browns from trading Garrett. Look at how Lawrence is doing in Cincy. Suddenly that D looks respectable.
    If Poles somehow swings Simmons without trading two 1sts, this D will truly be exciting to watch.




  • Keenum or Bagent?

    Keenum or Bagent?

    Image of Case Keenum courtesy of Chicago Tribune.

    Really the only question left, and I’m on team Keenum.
    1. He won. I’m one of those players who would wear the same ban in the same way if I hit better that game. Shoot, I posted ‘the girls’ to summon some ’25 magic for MNF, and it worked! Keep riding the mojo

    2. It’s a short week. Case went through the playbook last week for prep, played a game, won. Should be ahead of the curve. I mean, he’s 38 – not his first rodeo

    3. We really don’t know how bad Bagent’s concussion is. Sure, he can be ‘cleared’, but forgive me if I’m not entirely trustful about that process. We lost that game vs Vikes on final play when Bagent inexplicably ate a sack, not giving anyone even a chance to win. Who knows – why risk it when Case won rather convincingly?

    Further points – Case’s arm seems NFL ready. It didn’t look like the arm of a 38 yr old who hadn’t started in 2 years. He also didn’t look like Dalton doing Captain Checkdown routine. Keenum diagnosed the blitzes, called out the Mike, hit 20 yd out routes, threw deep with a defender barreling down, even threw some off-angle stuff and snuck one into the endzond for a tuddy.

    It looked to me that Case could perform the whole repertoire, and that’s exactly what a fan wants from a backup. That means that BJ won’t have to minimize his playbook for the most part. Sure , Case isn’t going to drift 20 yd back and throw it on a 40yd rope in dead winter like Caleb, but can he convert a 3rd and 7 into a tight window with a muddled pocket? Sure can.

    Congrats to the rook for his first INT!
    Dave@davebftv
    ·
    Sep 29
    Dillon Thieneman through 3 games:

    4 receptions allowed
    13.4 passer rating when targeted
    2 QB pressures
    7 defensive stops
    3 passes defended
    1 INT
    23 total tackles (15 solo)
    1 missed tackle

    Are you not entertained?

    On the flip side, Roush trying to singlehandedly lose games.

    I’ll prolly post proper game preview, but for now, here’s a quickie.

    OT. Dexter got PAID. That’s $ will likely go to pay Caleb or even for another defender.

    Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
    ·6h
    Falcons DT Gervon Dexter is signing a four-year, $78 million extension that includes $46.5 million guaranteed, per his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus. Atlanta traded for Dexter on August 30, and now is signing him to an extension one month later.

    Bears have designated DB Kyler Gordon to return from PUP.
    Bears’ fan commenting, “He about to give us the quarter of a lifetime”

  • Eagles @ Bears Reax

    Eagles @ Bears Reax

    I had a feeling this D would rise. Dunno why. It’s a lot like boxing, the matchup. But BJ got humilated, let’s face it, and there’s nothing more dangerous than an embarrassed man.
    What I did NOT expect was that a 38 yr old man could still hit those outs and split the atom. I almost pull a hammy taking off my boots!
    This will be short. As Chappelle would say, it’s a celebration, bitches.
    Enjoy.

  • Eagles@Bears. MNF. WK3

    Eagles@Bears. MNF. WK3

    Well, Bears are now primetime must watch tv. Unfortunately for the NFL and us, it’ll have to be Caleb-less.
    Here’s a thorough game preview by Hoge&Jahns.

    Butchnotes.
    – Philly O struggles with 1sts. So far no 1st downs on 1st down, meaning, they’re often behind the 8ball on 2nd and 3rd.
    – Philly Oline not elite.

    Seems like some discrepancy here where the numbers say one thing but eyes another. The Philly beat guy argues their Oline is “OK” but not elite like previously, which doesn’t exactly help those 2nd/3rd and longs.
    – Hurts playing great. He’s the one bailing them out on those 3rd and 8s, but how long can he keep that rolling? Then again, weren’t critics asking the same about Caleb in ’25? Hurts can be streaky, and if he’s on a heater, watch out.
    – Bears WERE favored BEFORE Caleb INJ. Now, not so much.
    [As of FRI, Bears +4.5 (-105)]
    – INJ reports will no doubt be updated, but as of FRI. Barkley banged up, TE Goedert doubtful, WR DaVante Smith [Q], OLB Greenard [Q]. Bears Bagent still concussed [update. Now set to backup Keenum], Monangai seems fine, Stevenson dealing with a hammy.
    Brad Biggs@BradBiggs
    ·1h
    #Bears players who did not participate in practice:

    QBs Tyson Bagent (concussion) & Caleb Williams (hamstring)
    K Cairo Santos (right hip)
    LG Joe Thuney (vet day)

    Limited: CB Tyrique Stevenson (hamstring), Shemar Turner (PUP), Noah Sewell (PUP)

    FULL: RB Kyle Monangai (knee)
    – Penalties over/under. Can BJ get Bears’ O to commit less than 5 penalties in this game?

    Warren Sharp@SharpFootball
    ·4h
    is Bears Tax back? Bears fans -> look away

    The Eagles are 6-0 with Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni in games officiated by Shawn Hochuli

    Monday night: Eagles at Bears, Hochuli’s crew

    Philly has the least penalized defense in the NFL

    Chicago is top 10 in pre-snap penalties per game

    Only through 2 wks, but kinda jarring

    1. OBVIOUSLY that 6th in EPA is buoyed by the 59 point game [still can’t get over that]. Bears did move the ball on Minny just couldn’t finish. Can’t do that again with a 3rd string QB.
    Philly about middle of the pack.
    2. Somehow, the Bears’ D superior to Philly’s. And if the Bears’ O carried them the 1st game, the Bears’ D totally lifted that EPA like a sherpa carried Homer up that mountain.
    3. Not surprisingly, Bears 7th in the league playing under center. Fantastic. Means more run, more PA/Boot/Waggle. More TOP. All that good anti-Nagy medicine.
    Philly 28th, which is not ideal since they brought in a new OC in order to play less shotgun, but kinda hard to do that when it’s 3rd and 8.
    4. Is Irish still lurking? If so, he just jizzed over a young Pam Oliver. Bears’ D ranked SIXTH in blitzing. Wowzers. Is this Allen’s MO, or is he compensating for a lack of Garrett, Bosa, Crosby, et al?
    Flores blitzed the Bears on like 75% of plays btw, so he’s like Tiger Blood on a coke binger.
    Philly, by contrast, only blitzes 24.2%.
    Flores is of the Buddy school. Fangio of the Lovie school. Both can work.

    But gotta ask, if YOU were Fangio, what would you do?

    Would you keep only sending 4, or would unleash the hounds of hell after Flores kept the Bears to 3 points?

    Be interesting to see. If Fangio is as obstinate as Lovie, it’ll be a death by a thousand papercuts.

    Bears Facts@DaBearsTakeOver
    ·2h
    2026 Bears Offense & Eagles Defense
    CHI OFF--PHI DEF
    PPG 4th— -10th
    Ttl YPG 3rd—12th
    RYPG 1st—- 23rd
    Poss Time 2nd- 8th

    The other wild card is Case Keenum.
    The guest on the show actually liked the Bears’ chances more with Keenum than Bagent. Why – Experience, what else?

    If Fangio is planning to throw a curve ball and go full-Flores, well, Keenum should be smart enough to counter. SHOULD being the operative word. Whether our Oline or his arm can hold up is another matter.

    Bears Facts@DaBearsTakeOver
    ·Sep 22
    Case “The Gunslinger” Keenum’s only career start vs. the Eagles:

    • 30/44 (68.2%)
    • 380 passing yards
    • 3 TDs, 0 INTs
    • 117.6 passer rating

    Ben Johnson is 1-0 vs. Nick Sirianni and Philadelphia.
    ‘Since 2021, only 11 QBs on avg survive an NFL season unscathed‘ – Chase Daniel, champion of backup QBs.
    Now more than ever it seems imperative to stock a quality backup. But quality backup of a backup, well, no GM realistically can plan for that. At that point, might as well dress in camo, purchase lifetime supply of canned foods, and retreat into some underground bunker in Oregon expecting the apocalypse.

    The psychological factor. Before the Packers collapsed on TNF [what a way to kick off a week, baby!] Many argued that the Eagles were the most over-rated teams [Chargers #1 in most boards there]. Eagles barely squeaked by the meh-Commandos by 2 points. Then were one sack away in the final drive to falling to the tiny Titans. Philly still running a new system while their D is mid. If Caleb were starting, Bears would be heavily favored at home.

    But [barring a Pope miracle], Caleb is sitting, and we just don’t know what we’re going to get from Keenum who by his own admission almost retired if not for Ben Johnson.

    OTOH, a Case can be argued that Keenum fits BJ’s idea of a QB more than even Caleb. Jared Goff after all isn’t going to be slinging 90mph sidearm jumping in the air, but what he can do is compute the weakness, throw to the ideal target, and keep the chains moving while Swift-Monangai grind them on the ground til they break.

    No doubt this Eagles’ team, esp the Dline, will be motivated after absolutely getting mack-trucked by our Oline last year – but our oline isn’t the same – Braxton at LT and Bradbury at C are concerns bordering on liability.

    Weather also shouldn’t be a factor, so no excuses.
    Partly Cloudy according to Forecast.io, it’s expected to be 65° F with a 0% chance of precipitation in at 8:15 PM EST. – ROTO

    Hoge pick: Bears ‘W’. 20-17
    Jahns pick: Bears ‘W’. 26-23
    Butch pick: Bears ‘W’. 20-13

    Think the Bears’ D might be better than we suspect. Get two TOs to help the cause. Specials gets two FGs and Torey plays keep away.
    Keenum does enough to keep the machine marching.

    TBH, this is more that I distrust Philly than believe in a Keenum Bears, but hey, a win’s a win!

    [or at the very least, they cover the spread]

    🐻⬇️🐾

  • Bearless Sunday Thread WK3

    Bearless Sunday Thread WK3

    In case you missed it, Puke Still Suck!
    Other games of note. Vikings[-1.5]@Bucs. Jets@[-6.5]Lions.

    It’s hard for me to envision either Vikings or Lions losing. Bucs IMO are overrated. Jets are Jets, but hey, they took the Puke to the wire, and Lions seem to be imploding like the Puke.

    The rest of the games are meh [unless you play FF].
    Ravens@Cowgirls should be fun with plenty fireworks.
    The SNF featuring Rams@Donks completely the game of the week and may have been the ’25 SB if not for some bad breaks.

    II.

    If you thought Stroud, Jayden Daniels, Maye and Bo truthers were annoying, just wait til you get Chicago “Bryce Young Truthers“!

    Mike Sayer@thatmikesayer
    ·3h
    ESPN Total QBR: 1st in the NFL.

    Meanwhile:
    Allen — 66.7%, 582 yards, 9 total TD
    Mahomes — 63.5%, 566 yards, 5 TD
    Bryce Young — 63%, 648 yards, 6 TD
    Dak — 73.8%, 6 TD
    Goff — 67.5%, 6 TD
    Don’t look now, but Bryce is dishing it. Will the pumpkin pop like with Jayden and Maye?

    Robbie Byrne@Robertbyrne2001
    ·Sep 24
    5: Bryce Young has gotten off to a hot start, we’ll see if it is a hot streak or if he’s actually making a leap

    QBR: 81.4 (6th)
    DYAR: 212 (4th)
    DVOA: 32.0% (8th)
    PFF: 83.9 (T-7th)
    PFF Pass: 80.9 (6th)
    BTT: 4
    TWP: 1
    ANY/A: 9.1 (4th)
    Sack%: 5.19% (10th)
    EPA/Play: .308 (7th)

    Those guys are throwing more. Purdy is just carving people up and never hitting the turf.

    III.

    Lovie always broke up seasons into quarters. We’re still in the first quarter where teams are shaping their identity. NFL is unique that way. It’s not necessarily dynastic like other sports that don’t implement a hard cap.

    Who had the Raiders 2-0, the Chargers 0-2, and both the Puke and Iggles basically 2-3 plays away from being win-less?

    Such is the NFL. Maybe we should take note. Every September, we too can change – we too can go from worst to first.

    Better than the alternative.

    NFL Researcher@NFL_Researcher
    ·2h
    Most rush yards per game in 2026…

    1. Bears – 212.5
    2. Packers – 48.7

  • Ben Johnson Halftime

    Ben Johnson Halftime

    I omitted this from the previous post for brevity’s sake but thought it deserving of its own post. As I wrote in “Wunderkind“:

    It wasn’t just this Vikings’ game. Every coach has clunkers

    I suspected uneven halves, so I researched, and more or less confirmed it.

    Halftime Ben Johnson results. It’s important to remember that the ’25 Bears’ D lead in TOs, so gave plenty of extra possessions to O.

    1. v-Minny. 10 pts. L-27-24
    2. @ DET. 14 pts. L-52-21
    3. v-DAL. 24 pts. W-31-14
    4. @Vegas. 9 pts. W-25-24
    5. @WSH. 13 pts. W-25-24
    6. v-NO. 20 pts. W-26-14
    7. @ BALT. 6 pts. L-31-16
    8. @ Cincy 17. W-47-42
    9. v-NYG. 7 pts. W-24-20
    10. v-MIN. 10 pts. W-19-17
    11. v-PIT. 17 pts. W-31-28
    12. @PHI. 10 pts. W-24-15
    13. @GB. 3 pts. L-21-28
    14. v-CLE. 14 pts. W-31-3
    15. v-GB. 0 pts. W-22-16
    16. @SF. 21 pts. L-38-42
    17. v-DET. 0 pts. L-19-16
    —-
    Playoffs
    18. v GB. 3 pts. W-31-27
    19. v LAR. 10 pts. L-20-17

    Conclusion. In 11 of 19 [57%] games, the BJ O scored 10 or fewer points going into halftime. In the 3 games against Puke a grand total of SIX points combined going into half-time.

    Now, I kinda forgave many of those games since they ended in Caleb miracles [or D TOs, specials blocked FGs, etc]. Also, it was Ben’s 1st year, thus, some growing pains.

    That being said, it was troubling that by game 18 [playoff vs GB], Bears still only managed a measly 3 points in the first half.

    Bears AVGed 6.1 points in the first half vs the entire NFCN in ’25. If one factors GB in the playoffs and the Vikings in ’26, Ben Johnson on avg scores 5.75 points in first halves vs NFCN.

    To quote the Irishman, ‘I’m more than a little concerned’. These are the DCs who know Ben best, and they’re schooling him. No wonder it’s like pulling teeth when Bears battle in-division.

    If a fan glances at the first 2 quarters overall, it seems like good cop, bad cop. One good half. Next game. Bad. Next game good. Then bad.

    ’26 season the trend continues. 31 points vs Panthers! Then, sad trombone…3 points TOTAL vs Vikings. If Caleb was starting, I’d say rush to Fan Duel and bet the Bears’ O will score over 10 points in the first half vs Philly, but with 38 yr old Case Keenum creaking on to the field against an angry Dline that got embarrassed last year? Well…

    Bears Facts@DaBearsTakeOver
    ·Sep 22
    Case “The Gunslinger” Keenum’s only career start vs. the Eagles:

    • 30/44 (68.2%)
    • 380 passing yards
    • 3 TDs, 0 INTs
    • 117.6 passer rating

    Ben Johnson is 1-0 vs. Nick Sirianni and Philadelphia.

    Bears ML is currently at +185

    I ran across this excellent post and decided just to share it because it’s a bit long. So this will be the last of looking back. Next stop, MNF.

    Bobby Peters@b_peters12
    ·Sep 22
    The Bears tape from Sunday shows everybody taking turns to contribute to the futility. Hard to put it all in a tweet but here are a few that stood out.

    1. Caleb processed really well early in the game. As the game went along the pressures wore on him and he hit the eject button a few times when the read/throw was there
    2. Ben’s game plan was not up to his standard. Nobody loves the Dagger family of concepts more than me, but he called way too many. Flores muddies the middle of the field so well. Can’t live that way, especially off drop backs.

    The stunts gave the Bears staple wide zone runs problems. Flores made a bet that the Bears would focus on wide zone and he was correct. More gap schemes and crack toss would have alleviated some of this.

    More fast/escort motion to change the number counts against the mug looks would have helped too.

    1. Flores pitched a perfect game. Constant free runners at the QB. Even when the protection picked it up, the QB had somebody in his lap. Many examples where he forced the RB/TE to stay in, allowing a 6 on 3 in coverage, squeezing each route.

    Ben has done this to a degree in the past, but forcing more quick perimeter touches can help with this.

    1. So many busted/broken plays. Guys on the wrong route, bad splits/spacing. Shocked at how often this happened. Snowball effect?
    2. Swift’s vision in the wide zone runs wasn’t up to his standard. Two clips come to mind where the DL is reached, but he cuts back and the DL falls off the block easily.
    3. The non traditional Tampa coverages gave many of Ben’s staple concept trouble. Specifically, the pole runner in the middle of the field helped leverage anything intermediate. This needs to be the next evolution for his offense.

    Burn the tape kind of game, but there needs to be lessons learned.

    This just in. THE PACK STILL SUCK!!!

    They got RUN the fuck over. Then London bombed them overhead like they were Berlin. I have no clue why LeFleur decided to go for it on 4th instead of kick a gimme FG. Naturally Falcons stopped them. 0 points. That killed all momentum and sucked the cheese right out of the crowd. Take note of what NOT to do, BJ.

    OT:
    Some scuttlebutt after the flaccid Vikings’ outing about the Bears needing to play in a dome like Minny and Detroit. What say ye – new Bear stadium should shield out the elements?

    Or should the Bears keep it old school like Lambeau?

  • Ben Johnson Wunderkind?

    Ben Johnson Wunderkind?

    noun
    1. A child prodigy.
    2. A person of remarkable talent or ability who achieves great success or acclaim at an early age.
    The earliest known use of the noun Wunderkind is in the 1890s.OED’s earliest evidence for Wunderkind is from 1891, in the writing of George Bernard Shaw, playwright and polemicist.
    “Mike Tice is a fantastic Oline coach.” Basically every NFL person when describing Tice circa 2010.

    This is a friendly reminder that just because everyone keeps parroting the same narrative, doesn’t make it true.

    This past game is the first time I questioned Ben Johnson being a top 3 OC, much less the best; it wasn’t just this game. Every coach has clunkers [see, McVay, Australia], but it did make me revisit all the other Frankenstein games in which the Os were totally dead for long stretches, only to come alive under 2mins relying on Caleb sorcery.

    Sometimes we get tunnel vision as fans. It’s understandable. Who the hell has time to follow all 32 teams? You’d have to be like that kid “The Oracle” from “The League.”

    I googled “Who is the best OC? “Response.

    McVay, Kyle Shanahan, Ben Johnson, Payton, Liam Coen.
    Honorary mentions. Todd Monken [Ravens], Mike McDaniel [Chargers], Kubiak [helps Shanny], Press Taylor [helps BJ].

    Player picks. Frank Smith [MIA], Brian Callahan [Cincy].

    This also doesn’t even mention arguably the goat Andy Reid or the HC/OC who just outscored BJ – Kevin O’Connell. Heck, some may even throw Josh McDaniels’ name into the lot. Hard to believe he was just a passenger with Brady and Maye.

    So despite the “Ben Johnson greatest talent since McVay” storyline, one can validly argue that BJ falls out of the top 5, maybe even the top 10 if one applies high scrutiny.

    If Ben Johnson were coaching the Cards, he may in fact be the worst HC/OC in that division.

    Now, TBC, I do NOT believe BJ falls out of top 10. But is he top 3? Highly contentious IMO. With the SB on the line, one play at the 8 to score a TD, who you roll with? McVay, Kyle, Payton, Reid, BJ?

    The ranking may be academic anyways, but something to ponder. A team can win a SB without an elite OC – heck, Lovie almost did it with Ron Turner and Sexy Rexy. It just takes a legendary D and specials to offset.

    But the BJ Bears don’t field a legendary D and specials. Far from it.

    So Ben Johnson is going to have to do the coaching of his life. Coaching a ‘generational’ QB, and former #1 who can hit 20MPH is like microwaving a pizza. It’s hard to fuck up.

    But coaching up a UDFA with a Noodle Arm in Bagent? Well, that’s like turning a Cup-O-Noodles into a gourmet dish. To top it off, Bagent may not even play.

    Ian Rapoport@RapSheet
    ·2h
    #Bears QB Tyson Bagent is dealing with a concussion and is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, sources say. With Caleb Williams likely out with a hamstring injury, [38 yr old] Case Keenum could be the starter vs the #Eagles.
    Perhaps designing Loveland single-blocking Dallas Turner wasn’t the smartest of plays, eh, BJ?

    So BJ will have to impress Gordon Ramsey with black liquorish, candy-corn, and liver.

    It’s not entirely impossible. I mean, Kyle Shanahan somehow made Mr. Irrelevant VERY relevant. Darnold also credited his time there with turning him from bust to SB or bust.

    Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter
    ·5h
    QB injuries through 2 weeks have included:

    🏈Sam Darnold
    🏈Caleb Williams
    🏈Jaxson Dart
    🏈Jayden Daniels
    🏈Kyler Murray
    🏈Tua Tagovailoa

    Speaking of which, SEA is 2-0 behind Drew Lock, including scoring 31 on ARIZ. That’s 28 more points than Caleb scored for those counting. Naturally, a great D and specials helps a backup QB, but hey, maybe Poles shoulda thought of that.

    Clay Harbor@clayharbs82
    According to @NextGenStats
    the Bears are 29th in the NFL with a 28.4% pressure rate
    John Porvaznik@JPorvaznik
    ·Sep 21
    Could’ve drafted Verse, Turner [or Byron Murphy] instead went Rome and haven’t addressed line since with any urgency. Lot of players on defense getting paid good money to do nothing

    All of this is simply to say – court is yours, Ben Johnson. This is Apollo 13 magic wunderkind time. Or as Goose implores Maverick,

    “Come on, Mav, do some of that pilot shit!”

    Well, we’re going to find out in the next 2-3 weeks who actually pilots the O – who is Maverick – Caleb, or Ben Johnson…