Week 10 Recap

BJ & Da’Bears vs The Juice is Loose

Another week, another disappointing loss in a game I had a chance to win. I’m now 3-7, mathematically still alive, but on life support. I am lucky that I’m in a weak division, but I still feel like this one was the first nail in my coffin.

Caleb Williams was solid, putting up 22 points, but it could have been even better. Bears receivers had at least 6 drops, two of which should have been touchdowns. I lost the QB battle by 7 points.

This matchup hinged on running backs, and I got crushed here, 67-13, because Jonathan Taylor had a monster game in Berlin. It’s a testament to the rest of my team that I was able to make it as close as it ended up being.

Rome Odunze bounced back from being shutout a week ago, scoring his first touchdown since week 4. Tez Johnson was an emergency start due to injuries and he scored two touchdowns. I won the WR battle, 36-21.

Trey McBride is firmly established as my MVP, not just for this game but for the season. He had another big game and I won the TE matchup 19-1.

Jake Bates was an emergency pick up when Ka’imi Fairbairn was ruled out. He won the kicker battle for me, 15-1.

Week 11 Preview

BJ & Da’ Bears vs Make Fantasy Great Again

I’m still alive, barely, thanks to being in the worst division in our league, but I have no margin for error. A loss this week won’t eliminate me, but this is still pretty much a must win.

This isn’t going to be easy, the only clear advantage I have is at tight end. I’m going to have to be completely on top of my game in my lineup decisions.

My keys to the week:

1. Trey McBride: As I said, tight end is my only real position of advantage and that is because of McBride. If I have any chance of winning this one, McBride needs to continue his hot streak.
2. Caleb Williams: On paper, the quarterback matchup is pretty even, but I think there’s a chance Williams can better his projections. I need him to win this and handily.
3. Defense: Right now, I’m leaning towards picking up the Green Bay defense off the waiver wire. You have no idea how much this pains me, but if I want to win, this is a move I think I have to make.
4. Rachaad White: This is really about whichever running backs I decide to play. My opponent has Bijan Robinson, which gives him an advantage. I need my RBs to somehow counteract that.

Week 10 Recap

Trash Pandas vs Shamrocks N Shenanigans

Wow, I’m starting to feel it with this team. A second straight game where an opposing player scored over 60 points and I overcame it, in part because of a Monday Night defense.

The Trash Pandas have won four in a row and it would take an epic collapse for me not to make the playoffs. I do have to worry about my QB1 going on bye in a couple weeks, but this team is starting to click.

The week didn’t start well. Brock Bowers, who I had been counting on after his huge game in week 9, was shutdown by Denver and only managed three points. Then, Jonathan Taylor went absolutely nuts in Berlin, racking up 66 points for my opponent.

But, slowly but surely I clawed my way back into this game. TreVeyon Henderson finally had the breakout game I’d been waiting for all season, racking up 49 points. Jahmyr Gibbs rebounded from his dud last week to put up 43 points and I actually won the RB battle, 92-76.

Marvin Harrison Jr and Rome Odunze each scored touchdowns, though I lost the WR matchup, 35-31.

Justin Herbert wasn’t great, but he did outscore Sam Darnold, 18-16.

I came into Monday night needing 6 points from the Philadelphia Eagles defense, they scored 22, and I had my fourth straight win.

Henderson gets my MVP, welcome to the party, rook.

Week 10 Preview

Trash Pandas vs ACME Giants

On paper, this should be an easy win for the Trash Pandas, but as we learned earlier in the season, it never quite pans out that way.

Our quarterbacks and running backs are pretty evenly matched, but I should have a clear advantage at wide receiver and tight end.

My opponent needs to find a kicker and should probably change their defense and think about a new flex play. I will probably change my defense.

My keys to the week:

1. Brock Bowers: I’ve got a big advantage at TE and Bowers has a great matchup against Dallas. Bowers could be the difference in this game.
2. TreVeyon Henderson: Henderson had a huge game in a big matchup for the Patriots. I hope this solidifies him as RB1 in New England. If he starts becoming a reliable start down the stretch, that would be huge.
3. Rome Odunze: Odunze has been up and down, lately. I need him to string together two consecutive good performances. I have a clear advantage, on paper, at WR, I need to capitalize on that.
4. Quentin Johnston: I’m sticking with Johnston over Jordan Addison at my flex spot because I don’t want to play Addison against my Bears, even though his projection is higher. Johnston can make me not regret that.

The Giants have fired head coach Brian Daboll. I can’t say I’m surprised. I think it was inevitable after that epic collapse against the Denver Broncos. This latest blown lead versus my Chicago Bears was just the final straw.

I remember when the Giants hired Daboll, it was the same offseason that the Bears hired Matt Eberflus. I wanted Daboll. I pounded the table for Daboll.

Daboll played a big role in developing Josh Allen, and I thought he could do the same for Justin Fields, who was the Bears franchise quarterback at the time.

After a great first year in New York, things started going sideways for Daboll. I placed a good amount of blame on Daniel Jones. I thought Daboll was saddled with a mediocre quarterback, who reached his ceiling in Daboll’s first year as head coach.

This year has proven otherwise. Jones has been very good in Indianapolis, I still think he’s only slightly above average and he’ll revert to that come playoff time, but there is no denying his play in Indy has made the Giants look really bad.

Then, there’s the Giants on field product this season. I survived two and half years of Matt Eberflus, and I know when I see a coach that is in way over his head.

Daboll is a good offensive coach, he showed that against the Bears as the Giants gave the Bears D fits until Jaxson Dart left the game with a concussion. However, Daboll has shown time and again that he doesn’t have a grasp of game management.

The massive collapse against Denver was facilitated by an awful Dart interception. Yes, it was a terrible decision and awful throw by the rookie quarterback, but Daboll should have never put him in that situation.

The Giants had a huge lead, all they needed to do was burn clock. I am not one to advocate a conservative approach, but the Giants were in a position that that was exactly what was required. Three runs, if you don’t get the first down, punt and make Denver march the length of the field.

Against Chicago, there was his decision to take a field goal instead of going for a touchdown from inside the one yard line. Yes, the field goal put them up by two scores, but ultimately, that decision provided the margin of victory for the Bears.

Ultimately, Brian Daboll is a good coordinator that just didn’t have it as a head coach. He’ll be an OC somewhere next season and will probably be a candidate for another head coaching opportunity down the road.

As for the Giants, where do they go from here? They should be an attractive job, they have their quarterback in Dart, they have some pieces on offense in Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo, once they return from their injuries next season. They have a good pass rush.

I think some names you’ll hear are Arizona OC Drew Petzing, Seattle OC Klint Kubiak, Buffalo OC Joe Brady & Kansas City OC Matt Nagy. One name I’d keep an eye on in Kevin Stefanski.

I’ve said it before, Cleveland would be stupid to move on from Stefanski, but Cleveland is known for stupid moves. If Stefanski should become available, he should be at the top of the Giants wish list.

Last Week: 10-4 / 9-5

Season: 87-48 / 70-65

Las Vegas Raiders (+9.5) @ Denver Broncos

Broncos should win, but Raiders will keep it close.

Atlanta Falcons vs Indianapolis Colts (-6.5) (in Berlin)

Colts get back to winning on an overseas trip.

Cleveland Browns (+1.5) @ New York Jets

The Browns defense will be too much for the Jets to handle.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+1.5) @ Houston Texans

I like the Jaguars, especially if CJ Stroud is out.

Buffalo Bills (-8.5) @ Miami Dolphins

I don’t expect a let down game from the Bills in south Florida.

New England Patriots @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)

I’ll take the Bucs, at home, by a field goal, in this battle of heavyweights.

New York Giants @ Chicago Bears (-3.5)

Bears should roll at home.

Baltimore Ravens (-4.5) @ Minnesota Vikings

Ravens continue their resurgence with a road victory.

New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers (-5.5)

Panthers continue their surge in the NFC South.

Arizona Cardinals (+6.5) @ Seattle Seahawks

I expect the Seahawks to win, but Arizona hasn’t lost by more than 4 points all season.

Detroit Lions (-8.5) @ Washington Commanders

Lions get revenge for Washington bouncing them out of the playoffs last season.

Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) @ San Francisco 49ers

Niners won in LA earlier, but I think that was a fluke. Rams even it up.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)

Chargers are banged up on the offensive line, but this is a long road trip for Pittsburgh.

Philadelphia Eagles (+2.5) @ Green Bay Packers

The Eagles let the NFL know they are still the defending champions.

BYES

Some quick thoughts on the trade deadline moves:

• INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: I completely understand the Colts pushing all their chips in for this season. They’ve been one of the best teams in the NFL. Corner was a need and Sauce Gardner is one of the best in the NFL, but man did they pay a steep price. Two first round picks AND a young receiver with some upside. Does Sauce make the Colts better? Absolutely. Does he push them over the top in the AFC? Possibly. All I am going to say is Indianapolis better hope Daniel Jones doesn’t revert to what many of us believe he really is because the Colts won’t have a first round pick until 2028.

• DALLAS COWBOYS: Only Jerry Jones would go all in on a lost season. Don’t get me wrong, Quinnen Williams & Logan Wilson are good players and Dallas’ defense needs the help, but you gotta ask, why not just pay Micah Parsons? In the long run, this might work out for the Cowboys, but I’m scratching my head that Jerry thinks two players can lift this Cowboys team to a playoff run in the stacked NFC.
• NEW YORK JETS: You can’t help but feel for a fanbase when a team throws in the towel on a season, but the Jets absolutely made the right moves here. They are loaded with high end draft ammunition for the next two years (3 firsts & 2 seconds in 2026, 2 firsts & a second in 2027). The first step in a rebuild is getting your franchise QB, the Jets took a shot with Justin Fields and it didn’t work, now they have to capital to get one either through the draft or acquiring a veteran. They could have garnered more draft capital by lowering the asking price on RB Breece Hall & DE Jermaine Johnson, but what they did get is pretty impressive.

• SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Seattle had already established themselves as legit Super Bowl contenders and adding a true deep threat to their passing game only strengthens that. Rashid Shaheed will complement Jaxon Smith-Njigba & Cooper Kupp perfectly. If Sam Darnold doesn’t fold in the playoffs like he did last season, Seattle is a threat.

• PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Howie Roseman does it again. He addressed the Eagles two biggest areas of need, corner & pass rush, and he got good players at a decent price. Jaelan Phillips is an electric pass rusher when healthy and he could take over the void left by Josh Sweat. Michael Carter II is a good add at cornerback, he’s young and has some upside. Jaire Alexander was a Pro Bowler not long ago and he’s worth the risk at such a cheap price.
• CHICAGO BEARS: Even though my Bears only made a minor move, I have to address them. Pass rush and corner were their two biggest needs. They addressed the pass rush by acquiring Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. It’s not a needle moving move, but it’s also not mortgaging the future on a season with a limited ceiling. I know they talked with the Jets about Jermaine Johnson, the asking price was too high, and I imagine they inquired about other possibly available pass rushers like Miami’s Bradley Chubb and the Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux or Brian Burns. They went the cheap route and I’m fine with that. Corner could work itself out, Kyler Gordon should be back soon and Jaylon Johnson may be ready by December, there are also reports they’re going to meet with free agent Asante Samuel Jr. The Bears did nothing exciting, and I’m okay with it.

Contenders That Should Have Done More

• BUFFALO BILLS: Buffalo could’ve used help at wide receiver & defense and there were options available. To come up empty seems like something they may regret.
• LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Both of the Chargers starting offensive tackles, Rashawn Slater & Joe Alt, are out for the season. To not swing a deal for a possible upgrade, more than Trevor Penning, to what they have could come back to bite them.
• DETROIT LIONS: Detroit could have used offensive line help, too, and reinforcements for a banged up secondary.
• SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: With the rash of injuries the Niners suffered to their receiver corps and pass rush, I’m a bit surprised they weren’t more aggressive.

Teams That Should’ve Been Bigger Sellers

• TENNESSEE TITANS: As bad as Tennessee has been, they did have a couple desirable assets, WR Calvin Ridley & DT Jeffrey Simmons to name two. As far as Simmons goes, I understand the reluctance to trade away players of that caliber, but the simple fact is that he is 28 years old and I seriously don’t think he fits into Tennessee’s timeline to contend.
• NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: The Saints should be in full rebuild mode. They did trade Shaheed & Trevor Penning, but they had other assets, especially in the secondary, they could’ve moved.
• MIAMI DOLPHINS: Miami got a third rounder for Jaelan Phillips, but they should have been able to trade more. With so many teams needing pass rushers, I’m surprised that Bradley Chubb & Matthew Judson are still Dolphins.
• NEW YORK GIANTS: The Giants have an excess of pass rushers and I’m a bit shocked that someone didn’t pay handsomely to pry one of them away.

Week 9 Recap

BJ & Da’Bears vs Delta House Blutarskys

I said in my preview of this matchup that my roster could look a lot different by Sunday, and it did. I traded away David Montgomery, Quentin Johnston & Kimani Vidal. I now have 2 fifth round & 2 sixth round picks in next year’s draft.

On top of that, my team went out and won! It is still an uphill battle for me to make the playoffs, and I still may trade away some players, but unlike a week ago, I think there may be some guys that I’ll take off the block.

Caleb Williams took advantage of his plus matchup against Cincinnati’s defense and put up his best week since week 3, scoring 41 points, winning the QB matchup by 29 points.

After trading away Montgomery & Vidal, I was left with no healthy running backs that weren’t on bye after Rhamondre Stevenson was ruled out, so I hit the secondary waiver wire and added Kyle Monangai & Bhayshul Tuten. Monangai had a huge game, even without scoring a TD, Tuten did get a touchdown and I won the RB battle, 25-6.

None of my receivers were good, but at least Brian Thomas Jr & Tetairoa McMillan scored some points. Rome Odunze was completely shut out by the worst defense in the NFL. I lost the WR matchup 22-8.

Trey McBride continued his hot streak with 11 points, helping me win the TE battle, 16-3.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my kicker, Ka’imi Fairbairn, hitting 5 field goals and winning the kicker matchup, 18-5.

He wasn’t my top scorer, but for putting up 17 points a day after I plucked him off the free agent wire, Kyle Monangai gets my MVP.

Week 10 Preview

BJ & Da’ Bears vs The Juice Is Loose

These lineups could look very different come Sunday. My opponent will hit the waiver wire for a kicker and probably make a QB change and possibly a few others.

I’ve kept the trade block open, looking for draft picks, but I did make Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, Trey McBride & Colston Loveland unavailable.

This is a winnable game for me and if I get back to 4-6, I might still have a shot to make the playoffs.

Here are my keys to the week:

1. Rome Odunze: I survived Odunze putting up zero points this past week, but I need him to start producing like the WR1 he was in the early season.
2. Trey McBride: McBride has really taken off the last few weeks and if I have any hope of sneaking into the playoffs, he needs to continue his hot streak.
3. Kyle Monangai: Swift might be back for the Bears and I may not end up playing Monangai, but he could still help me if he gets more of an equal time share in the Bears backfield.
4. Colston Loveland: I drafted Loveland and held on to him for a reason, we saw a glimpse this past week. If he establishes himself as a solid weekly flex play, he could be a cheap TE1 for me for years.

Week 9 Recap

Trash Pandas vs SteelCity Mafia

Wow! What a game! This is why I play fantasy football.

I nearly got Flacco’d. Two of my studs didn’t even show up, but my cheat code tight end gave me a chance going into Monday night.

Down 16, Marvin Harrison Jr up against CeeDee Lamb. All week, I had planned on deliberately taking a zero from my team defense by putting the Eagles, on bye, into my lineup instead of risking negative points by facing the Cowboys offense in Dallas.

I had no choice, though. The deficit was too much. I had to play them and boy, did the Arizona Cardinals defense come through! I was able to flip a 16 point loss into a 15 point win.

I thought I had an advantage at QB with Justin Herbert. Herbert was very good, but Joe Flacco nearly doubled him up.

Jahmyr Gibbs had, perhaps, his worst fantasy performance of his career and Rome Odunze got completely shut out. Those two and Joe Flacco put me in a hole I didn’t think I had a chance to crawl out of.

Then, Brock Bowers returned and reminded the world why I drafted him in the second round. Welcome back, Mr. Bowers! I missed ya! You get my MVP for the week.

I’m 5-4 now, on a three game winning streak and a game back in the division. A division, I might add, that I’m undefeated in. I think I’m set up pretty well for the stretch drive.

Week 10 Preview

Trash Pandas vs Shamrocks N Shenanigans

Huge matchup this week. My opponent has been one of the best teams in the league this season, powered by the best running back tandem in the league. I’ll need to be at my best to keep my momentum going.

Here’s the keys to my week:

1. Jahmyr Gibbs: Gibbs was terrible last week and I cannot afford a repeat of that. My opponent trots out Jonathan Taylor & Christian McCaffrey. I have little to no chance of winning the running back duel, but Gibbs can keep it from being a total embarrassment.
2. Rome Odunze: Odunze put up zero points last week, in a game where the Bears scored 47 points and had over 500 yards of offense. He needs to bounce back, big. Finding the end zone for the first time since week 4 would be nice, too.
3. Brock Bowers: Last week is the reason why Brock Bowers was my second round draft pick. He’s a cheat code. He should not only win the TE battle for me, he should put up WR1 numbers. To put it simply, Bowers has the ability to flip losses into wins for me.
4. Bhayshul Tuten: If Rhamondre Stevenson remains out, I may go back to TreVeyon Henderson, but I like Tuten. He’s got a tough matchup, but he’s starting to get a bigger share of the running back snaps. He could be a wildcard down the stretch.

We’re through week nine of the NFL season, which is the halfway mark, and the Chicago Bears have played eight games, which is as close to half of 17 as you can get, so it’s time, once again, for me to assess where my beloved Bears are.

The Bears sit at 5-3, tied for second place with Detroit in the NFC North, half a game back of Green Bay. I’m thrilled to be in this position, but at the same time I can’t help but rue what could have been.

The second quarter of the season started well. The Bears exorcised the demons of the Matt Eberflus era for themselves and their fanbase when they won a hard fought battle against the Washington Commanders, the team that lit the fire that eventually burned down the Bears 2024 season with that Hail Mary loss.

The Bears got the running game going against Washington, D’Andre Swift was the best player on the field that game. Even better, the Bears run defense stiffened up against what was the best rushing offense in the NFL.

Next up, the Bears had the lowly New Orleans Saints and they took care of business. They made things a little more uncomfortable than they needed to be with defensive lapses right before and right after halftime, but the Bears were pretty much in control the entire way.

Swift was, once again the best player on the field, but fellow running back, rookie Kyle Monangai had a great game too. Defensive veterans Kevin Byard & Tremaine Edmunds continued their stellar seasons with each getting an interception.

I wrote earlier about the disappointment of the blown lead against Minnesota in the opener, so I won’t elaborate on that further. I will, however, express the regret of losing in week 8 to a Baltimore Ravens team playing without Lamar Jackson.

Baltimore was a better team than their record indicates, and truth be told I had long written that game off as a loss, but it’s still a tough pill to swallow because the Bears definitely had a chance.

No offense to Snoop Huntley, who is a much better backup for the Ravens than Cooper Rush, but he’s not in the same stratosphere as Lamar Jackson. The Bears defense made him look like it, though.

Beyond that, the Bears shot themselves, repeatedly, in the foot. Pre-snap penalties and just terrible execution in the red zone forced them to settle for field goals on their first two drives. The Bears were dominating the first quarter, then the Ravens woke up.

Caleb Williams didn’t play well. The running game was less explosive than it had been, and the defense didn’t produce a turnover, after feasting for four straight weeks. What’s more is the Ravens had free running receivers all game.

Baltimore is a very good football team and I fully expect them to make a run at the AFC North crown now that they’re healthy, but I can’t help but wonder if things would have gone differently had the Bears scored touchdowns instead of field goals on those first two drives.

If the Bears end up missing the playoffs by a game or two, I’ll look back on this loss and the earlier loss to Minnesota with even bigger regrets.

Week nine offered a chance to bounce back with a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals without Joe Burrow. The Bengals offense has been better since they acquired Joe Flacco, but their defense is atrocious. If ever there was a get right game for Caleb Williams, this was it.

Williams and the offense were superb. Kyle Monangai started in place of an injured Swift and had a monster game. DJ Moore had his best game of the season and rookie tight end Colston Loveland had his breakout performance, including what may be the play of the season for the Bears.

It wasn’t a great game for the Bears defense or special teams, and it looked like they were about to have an epic collapse that we fans have gotten all too familiar with, but these Bears are different. Instead of finding ways to lose every week, Ben Johnson’s Bears are finding ways to win.

Things I’m Happy About

• The Offensive Line: It seems like ages since the Bears have had an offensive line this good. Since the bye, the line has been the strength of this team. The Bears couldn’t run the ball, at all, before the bye. Since, they’re one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL. Caleb Williams’ sack numbers are way down, and honestly almost every sack he has taken is on him for holding the ball too long. I think it’s very possible that the Bears have two offensive linemen make the Pro Bowl this year. Joe Thuney is a lock because of his career body of work as well as his play this season. I think if they stay in contention through the end of the season that Darnell Wright could also earn the honor. Wright has been nothing short of dominant this season. Drew Dalman & Jonah Jackson have also been pretty good additions to the offensive line, and while I don’t think Theo Benedet is the long term solution at left tackle, he has been serviceable and has solidified the unit as a whole.

• Running Backs: Before their bye, the Bears couldn’t run the ball… at all. The only reason they had a yards per carry above 3.0, as a team, were because of Caleb Williams’ scrambles. There was rampant speculation the Bears might be in the market for a running back at the trade deadline, at the very least many fans were looking at the 2026 draft. Then, something happened. The new look offensive line started to gel and the running backs took advantage. D’Andre Swift has been the best offensive weapon for the Bears since the break, until he sat out versus the Bengals due to injury. Rookie Kyle Monangai might not have completely supplanted Swift, but he’s at least forced Ben Johnson to make the RB rotation more of a time share. Swift and Monangai aren’t Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, but Ben Johnson may have found his discount “Sonic & Knuckles”.

• Some of the Defense: The Bears defense has been routinely gashed this season, but they’ve proven to be opportunistic ball hawks. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and safety Kevin Byard have been especially good. At the start of the season, I thought this might be the last year we saw Edmunds & Byard in a Bears uniform, Byard is a free agent after the season and I thought Edmunds could end up being a cap casualty. Now, I think both will be back in 2026, and Edmunds may get an extension that could lower his cap hit. The Bears cornerbacks have been ravaged by injuries (more on that later) but Tyrique Stevenson has stepped up. He returned from his own injury against the Bengals and he wasn’t good, but he’s been mostly good all season. Don’t look now, but Montez Sweat is looking like the player he was when the Bears first traded for him. If the Bears could add a competent complimentary pass rusher, Sweat could post even bigger numbers.

Things I’m Concerned About

• Caleb Williams: In particular, his accuracy and his tendency to fall back on “Superman mode”. Williams is still good for a few WOW throws every game, which makes the mistakes that much more frustrating. I think everything is tied together. Caleb naturally wants to hit the big play on every drop back, when the initial read isn’t there is where the issues start. Caleb’s instinct is to use his natural ability to make a play, but Ben Johnson is coaching him to take the outlet provided. It’s a shift in thinking for Williams and it’s a work in progress. I think on the shorter, ‘check down’ throws that he remembers late what he’s being coached to do and he rushes the throw. Footwork and mechanics are off and his throws are inaccurate. I can see growth, though, and I think Ben Johnson is molding him into the quarterback he wants. If he can improve his accuracy and speed up his decision making, after the first read, Caleb Williams and this Bears offense could really take off.
• Rome Odunze: Odunze got off to such a hot start, but he’s really cooled off, including getting completely shut out against the Bengals. He’s still Williams’ number one target and his numbers over the last four games should be better. He had a beautiful touchdown catch taken off the board against Washington because of a questionable penalty and he should have had a touchdown against Cincinnati, but he dropped it. That’s the issue I have with Odunze right now. Even in his best games, Odunze is good for at least one drop a game. Sure, they’re not always the easiest catches, but a true number one receiver has to come down with some of them. Odunze is usually the guy Caleb looks for when he’s in trouble or the Bears need a big play, but if the Bengals game is any indication, I think Colston Loveland might start pushing him for those ‘gotta have it’ targets.

• Kyler Gordon: This could be the entire Bears cornerback room, but I’m going to focus on Gordon. This is tough, because when he’s on the field, Gordon is spectacular. He’s one of the best nickel corners in the NFL, when healthy. Therein lies the rub. As one person said on social media, “Kyler Gordon is made of wet newspaper”. The old saying goes ‘the best ability is availability’, and unfortunately Gordon is, too often, unavailable. The Bears have a much better defense, both against the run & pass, when Gordon plays, the question is will he ever be durable enough?
• Special Teams: Anyone who has watched multiple Bears games this year knew that the opening kickoff return for a touchdown that Cincinnati had was coming. The Bears kickoff coverage has been suspect all season. They gave up a big return to the Raiders after taking a late lead, only Josh Blackwell’s blocked field goal saved them. Against Baltimore, a great punt downed at the one yard line was wiped out by an illegal formation. They also got an illegal formation penalty on a kickoff against Cincinnati. To me, this kind of stuff falls on the coordinator. Richard Hightower has a good reputation throughout the league, but I think he’s on the hot seat right now. Another special teams issue is more about personnel than scheme. Cairo Santos has been a pretty good kicker for the Bears, but I have to wonder if his days are numbered. When you’ve got kickers throughout the league hitting 60+ yard field goals (shout out to new record holder Cam Little) and most kickers being nearly automatic from 50-60, it’s concerning when you have a kicker with much more limited range. There’s also been at least one instance where the Bears needed a kickoff to be blasted through the end zone & Santos just can’t do it. Jake Moody filled in for a couple games and he looked good. He did have one blocked and his inconsistencies that led to his release from San Francisco are well known, but he’s got a much stronger leg than Santos and I have to wonder if the Bears might be better off with him as our kicker.

Looking Ahead

The Bears have already matched their win total from last season and they’re firmly in the mix in the NFC and the North division. The next quarter of the season will determine if they’re playing meaningful games in December.

• vs New York Giants- Flat out must win game for the Bears. The Giants are a much more inferior team and the game is at home. Chicago has no margin for error if they want to make a playoff push. They have a tough schedule in December and they cannot afford to lose games they should win.
• @ Minnesota Vikings– The Bears get a chance to avenge their season opening loss. The Vikings present the same problem for the Bears that Cincy did: elite receivers against a depleted secondary. But JJ McCarthy isn’t Joe Flacco. He hasn’t even played 3 full games in the NFL yet. It won’t be easy in Minnesota, but winning this will announce to the world that the Bears are contenders.
• vs Pittsburgh Steelers- The Bears welcome their old nemesis, Aaron Rodgers, back to Soldier Field. I want this one very, very badly. Not only do I want to beat Rodgers in the worst way, but with several really tough games after this, a win here could go a long way to keeping them in contention. It is winnable. Pittsburgh’s defense hasn’t been great and neither has their offensive line.
• @ Philadelphia Eagles- I’m not delusional, barring an unforeseen catastrophe befalling the defending champions, the Bears are not winning this one. However, if they can win their previous three games, that puts them at 8-4 entering December and you have to feel pretty good about that. I’m looking at this Black Friday matchup as a litmus test, I just want the Bears to look competitive.
• @ Green Bay Packers- The Bears open December with a trip to Lambeau. You have no idea how great a win here would feel. Caleb Williams would move to 2-0 in Green Bay & the Bears would officially announce their presence in the realm of contenders.

If the Bears can go 4-1 in this stretch, we’re going to the playoffs, baby! That might be a lot to ask, though. 3-2 puts that at 8-5 with four to play, there are tough games down the stretch but winnable ones too.

Anything less than.500 in this stretch and we’re probably looking at elimination at some point in December.

Halfway Predictions Reboot

AFC PLAYOFFS

• AFC East Winner– Buffalo Bills
• AFC North Winner– Baltimore Ravens
• AFC South Winner– Indianapolis Colts
• AFC West Winner– Denver Broncos

I think Buffalo will eventually overtake New England, but I’m not counting the Patriots out. Baltimore is finally healthy and I think they’ll go on a run. Indianapolis will cruise in the South and Denver will hold off the Chiefs, barely.

• AFC Wildcards– New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers

I think the Patriots and Chiefs are locks and the seventh seed is up for grabs. I like the Chargers, but they just lost Joe Alt and they really struggled with him out earlier this season. Jacksonville is wildly inconsistent and even though I expect Pittsburgh to falter down the stretch, they always seem to sneak in.

• AFC CHAMPION– Kansas City Chiefs

Here it is, the fact is that if some team doesn’t kill the Chiefs in December, they’re not getting beat in January. Buffalo and Baltimore have proven they can’t beat Mahomes when it matters. Maybe one of the upstarts, like Indy or New England, can find a way, but I’m not ready to pick them yet.

NFC PLAYOFFS

• NFC East Winner– Philadelphia Eagles
• NFC North Winner– Detroit Lions
• NFC South Winner– Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• NFC West Winner– Los Angeles Rams

Philly & Tampa are locks. The North is up for grabs, but I like the Lions to prevail. The West will be a dogfight between LA & Seattle

• NFC Wildcards– Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears

The runner up in the West should get in, I think that’s Seattle. Same goes for the North and Green Bay has the advantage of a tie on their record. The final spot comes down to San Francisco, Chicago & Carolina. Call me a homer, but I think the Bears will do it with a week 17 win in San Francisco.

• NFC CHAMPION– Philadelphia Eagles

Philly had a two game stumble after a 4-0 start, but they’ve righted the ship and once again look like the team to beat. I think the Rams are their biggest obstacle with the Bucs lurking.

• SUPER BOWL– Philadelphia Eagles over Kansas City Chiefs

• MVP– Right now, my pick for MVP is Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield & Patrick Mahomes are in the mix, as well. Even though the MVP almost always goes to a QB, I think Colts running back Jonathan Taylor should be in the conversation, too.

• Offensive Player of the Year– My pick is Jonathan Taylor and I think he should be in the MVP conversation. Among non-quarterbacks, Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba & San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey are contenders. Some dark horse candidates include Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Buffalo running back James Cook & Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson.

• Defensive Player of the Year– I doubt he gets it because the Browns are not in contention, but Myles Garrett is the best defensive player in the NFL, in my opinion. Denver’s Nik Bonitto, the Rams’ Byron Young & Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson are also contenders.

• Coach of the Year– Nobody saw this Colts team coming. Head coach Shane Steichen is my current favorite for coach of the year, but New England’s Mike Vrabel & Chicago’s Ben Johnson are strong contenders.
• Offensive Rookie of the Year– Tampa Bay wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is still my favorite. NY Giants running back was starting to make noise until he was lost for the season. Cleveland running back Quinshon Judkins is probably Egbuka’s biggest challenger now, with Carolina wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan lurking, Two Chicago Bears rookies might have announced their presence in the race this weekend, running back Kyle Monangai & tight end Colston Loveland could make a late push.

• Defensive Rookie of the Year– I think Cleveland linebacker Carson Schwesinger has surged ahead in this race. NY Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter is still a contender as are Cleveland’s Mason Graham, Seattle’s Nick Emmanwori, Denver’s Jahdae Barron & Philadelphia’s Andrew Mukuba.

• Comeback Player of the Year: Does a player have to come back from an injury or just from mediocrity? I’m not sure. Nobody expected Daniel Jones to play at this level, and for that reason I think he’s the heavy favorite for this award. The Chargers’ Quentin Johnston is a distant second.

• Protector of the Year: This is a tough award to predict because it’s a first time award. I’m going with the best player on the best run blocking offensive line, Indianapolis guard Quenton Nelson.