Not using the Cowgirls for this week. Reserving their big hair, big boots, big…pom-poms for when Bears play!
Teams on bye: Bears, Falcons, Packers, Steelers.
Normally, I’d argue a WK5 bye is way too early, but this year it feels right. Some players badly need it to heal up. Bears go into it after a 2-win streak, including an incredibly dramatic Raider finale. Plus, Ben Johnson is still a rookie HC, so a brief intermission to ‘re-center’ and do some meta to steer the car in the right direction before going off a ditch – not the worst possibility.
The next 5 games aren’t exactly daunting. @Wash, v-NO, @Balt, @Cincy, v-NYG
Despite being an English/Lit major, I never really thrived under the ‘thesis-driven’ paradigm that monopolizes nearly all academia [Thanks, Hegel].
I’m much jazzier and found my best writing often emerges from inspiration to free form. Then later, I chisel it down.
“To write is to rewrite” ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Performing and reading adds another layer, and for any aspiring writer I recommend taking an acting class even if you never plan on acting. It’ll give a writer a more holistic understanding of the creative process and possibilities of the ‘product’.
A bonus is that after spending a semester or two around aspiring actors, everyone else seems fucking sane.
So, here’s some mishmash.
Ozzy Trapilo snaps. Can also check out Benedet.
Butch take. Neither Trapilo nor Benedet looked Kiran-esque. Trapilo specifically showed a decent side-step and solid anchor. Doesn’t seem to have the athleticism of Braxton exploding to the 2nd lvl, but few OTs do.
Benedet to me doesn’t seem as strong, but perhaps a bit more nimble. It’s important to remember that Benedet’s arms are 32.5″. Not many PB LTs are T-rexes. I suppose we can pray to the T-Rex Saint Joe Staley [33.5″].
According to PFF Theo Benedet was the lowest overall graded Chicago Bear w 38.7 grade.
Ozzy Trapilo’s 30.8 pass blocking grade was a team low.
Good experience but tough reps for the youngsters vs a really good player. #DaBears#Bears
Perhaps more interesting though is that Ben Johnson had the cajones to basically debut two rooks [a UFDA and a 3rd RDer no less] at new positions while Mad Maxx was doing his best Cocaine Bear impression.
The experiment could’ve easily exploded, but it worked. When was the last time a starter was straight benched mid-game? Fuck, Smoking Jay pushed WebbNation in primetime, and he still wasn’t bench; the switching was part of the adjustments that saved the game while simultaneously sending a message to the locker-room:
You’re next.
This run defense is a problem. Tremain Edmunds makes the wrong fit and knocks off Noah Sewell. The DBs look uninterested in tackling. #DaBears#Bearspic.twitter.com/gGxVCS9IKP
Nevertheless, they did create 4 TOs, and made two key stops. One on 4rth and short [granted, Raiders decided simply to olé Billings] and the other forcing Raiders to settle for FG late [a dropped pass helped].
The Chicago Bears defense is allowing the lowest amount of 3rd down conversions in the NFL at 23.9% 👀
This reminds me of when Belichick prepped his team about a certain slant SEA runs. Then, in the biggest play of SB XLIX, the CB jumps it, INT – Red, White and Blue confetti.
Or more recently, just last season when the Puke noticed how the triangle leaves a gap, charged, blocked the FG. Game. Puke.
It’s rare for the Bears to be on the other side of tactical strikes. Feels great, builds confidence and wins games.
I’m superstitious! Even Freud, an ardent materialist and atheist, admitted it was hard for him to shake off some superstitions, whether they be throwing salt over shoulder or knocking on wood…as such, these ladies were part of the victory equation last Sunday, so here they cheer again until the next loss.
That being said, this is a pretty cool image via GP:
2-2 is within reach .500 going into bye is not ideal, but it’s a hell of a lot better than 1-3. 2-2 players still believe, buy-in, and try harder with playoff dreams beckoning. 1-3…would be a miserable bye for all Bear fans.
I’m not going to write some elaborate breakdown about what needs to be done. Think we all know.
1. Stop Ashton Jeanty who despite a 3.1 avg remains dangerous in the open field. I think he’s been hit the most behind the LOS of all starting HBs [or close to it]. Jeanty still has great contact balance, vision and acceleration which would be lethal in open lanes. Bears’ D needs to attack and wrap.
2. On the flip side, our Oline has opened up lanes for D’Andre Swift, but he has yet to take advantage and break out. If ever a ‘get right game’ presented itself to Swift, this is it.
3. I’m not expecting much from our run game TBH. Seems to be all smoke and mirrors; however, Ben Johnson and Caleb have been efficient in the redzone. If that continues, and if Caleb produces a complete game, then that will stress the lowly Raiders.
The Bears’ D simply can’t be Trestmanesque. Contain Jeanty. Get a few key sacks and stuffs. Maybe a turnover or two. Then let BJ/Caleb cook hopefully dominating TOP. TOP is the Bears’ best defense.
Despite this being an away game, I suspect a decent showing of Bear fans in Vegas.
Have no idea what this means, but hey, it’s something! Got hits from Germany, India England, China. Heck, our old Romanian Jericho may even be dropping by from time to time!
In the true American way of hustling and monetizing, I shall do that soon enough. Maybe I too can provide you with a Manscaper while betting on Draftkings and pounding Celsius Heat!
‘Merica!
But for now, enjoy, Regs and Lurkers alike. Maybe I need to invest in a better outfit to get more followers like Jake Browning’s GF.
When Jake Browning’s girlfriend went viral for one of the craziest game day outfits of all time.
Wrote in previous thread, I almost would prefer Eddie Goldman over Dexter, a solid not spectacular, DT holding point of attack. However, when Dexter is on, he’s on. Dexter’s pressure helped create that 2nd Edmunds’ INT in the redzone to seal the deal.
Theo Benedet snaps
Every rep #Bears Theo Benedet took at RT in win vs the Cowboys.
Benedet came out firing, making a point about his ability to move the Cowboys defenders. He displayed quick feet and a powerful, accessible anchor that could mitigate short arms. More reps are needed to determine. pic.twitter.com/Y0drqdmLlX
Best I can say about Benedet: he looks the part. Doesn’t look cement-footed, weak, or lost. Basically everything we thought Ozzy Trapilo would be. If Wright is out, could be worse.
Caleb in context. Indiana Jones new Alex Smith? Kevin Cole
2025 quarterback efficiency (EPA/Play), min 50 dropbacks *Updated for MNF
1) Daniel Jones +0.42 2) Jared Goff +0.38 3) Lamar Jackson +0.37 4) Josh Allen +0.34 5) Jordan Love +0.25 6) Baker Mayfield +0.23 7) Drake Maye +0.23 8) Sam Darnold +0.21 9) Justin Herbert +0.21 10) Patrick Mahomes +0.15 11) Kyler Murray +0.14 12) Dak Prescott +0.13 13) Matthew Stafford +0.12 14) Jalen Hurts +0.12 15) Aaron Rodgers +0.10 16) Caleb Williams +0.09 17) Mac Jones +0.08 18) Geno Smith +0.07 19) Tyrod Taylor +0.03 20) Russell Wilson +0.03 21) Spencer Rattler +0.01 22) Trevor Lawrence +0.01 23) Bryce Young -0.01 24) Jayden Daniels -0.01 25) Bo Nix -0.03 26) C.J. Stroud -0.04 27) Michael Penix Jr. -0.04 28) Tua Tagovailoa -0.07 29) Jake Browning -0.17 30) Joe Flacco -0.23 31) Cam Ward -0.24 32) J.J. McCarthy -0.29
BJ Cooking:
The Bears have converted seven out of eight redzone trips into touchdowns.
It was a fantastic week of football. Bears won. Cowboys lost. Puke Lost [to Browns no less]. 1-2 can easily turn into 2-2, heading into the bye on an up note.
By the PFF scores, Shemar Turner did not have a good game in his first outing.
He had the 2nd lowest PFF score on the defense with 30.0
HOWEVER, before everyone jumps all over this.
He only played 23 snaps.
His pass rush score was 59.6.
While that seems low, 60.0 is the starting score for all players when PFF grades games.
His low overall score is based on 1 missed tackle. Because he had so many fewer snaps than most players, one bad play can swing the PFF score wildly. That put his tackling & run defense scores in the basement.
He didn’t record any pressures & as someone said “looked on ice skates” out there, but I don’t want to rush to judgement yet
It was his first game after missing almost all of training camp
Let’s wait to see a handful of games of reps from him before we draw any early conclusions
Gervon Dexter had a 55.4 pass rush grade in his first Bears game, btw
Some QB/Caleb info.
it's still early but for all the talk of the six QBs from last year's draft class, it's starting to look like only the first three matter – Caleb, Daniels, Maye
Nix is dead last in PFF grade McCarthy is the only QB to ever make KOC's system look bad Penix has been brutal so far
Caleb’s deep ball accuracy, an issue we were all fretting about, has improved which is great because Ben Johnson is taking deeper shots with Caleb than with noodle-armed Goff.
A positive trend for Caleb Williams early in the season has been his improved deep ball accuracy.
On 20+ yard throws per PFF, here are his numbers this year.
7/14, 50% (T-7th) 240 Yards (4th) 2 Touchdowns (T-5th) PFF Grade: 92.8 (7th) 6 Big Time Throws (5th)
One difference between Ben Johnson's lions offense and Bears offense. Bears are attacking downfield.
Goff's average air yards per target with DET was 6.6. Williams is 8.8. And he's not just chucking it. It's by design which makes sense with the skillsets of Williams and Odunze https://t.co/4dZwEbG1Os
What an ass-whooping! For some reason, Bears always lay points on Cowboys since 2010:
2010. Bears W. 27 points 2012. Bears W. 34 points 2013. Bears W. 45 points 2014. Bears L. 28 points 2016. Bears L. 17 points 2019. Bears W. 31 points 2022. Bears L. 29 points 2025. Bears W. 31 points
That means Bears avg 30 points/g vs Cowboys in last 8 clashes; wish Bears could play them whenever they need to kick-start sputtering offense.
Few quick observations.
1. The oline held up vs rush. This is the first game Caleb hasn’t been sacked. That’s both a testament to this oline’s strength as well as Caleb’s mobility, pocket awareness, and frankly, piss poor Dallas pass rush.
On the flip side, the pure run game struggled once more. It wasn’t really ’til late that it began gaining traction.
But to quote the Wolf from Pulp Fiction, ‘Let’s not start sucking each other’s d*cks quite yet.’ Two things I noticed.
1. It seems Caleb sails when his release point looks premature and high. Is this related to height? He does it even when he has a clean pocket, so it’s a matter of consistency. Dunks are great, but gotta make the free-throws as well.
2. Maybe because of #1, Caleb continues missing. In this game, Caleb did hit most of the wide open receivers, yet struggled more with the contested throws. I would love to see his comp% with contested plays vs when the receivers are 2YDs open. At one point the broadcast counted 4 ‘off’ throws. Granted, this happens to all QBs. I watched Mahomes miss Kelce badly vs Gmen, and that’s about as solid a duo as you’re going to find; nevertheless, an issue to track going forward because Ben Johnson specifically addressed improving Caleb’s accuracy during preseason.
Speaking of Ben Johnson, his O has scored 30+ points on Eberflus 5 out of last 7 games.
Reality check:
This is the #Bears' best offensive performance against a bad defense since 2024, when they scored 36 vs. the Panthers and 35 vs. the Jaguars in back-to-back games under Shane Waldron. https://t.co/j81J8M8eWy
Friendly reminder. And let's not forget that Trubisky actually got pulled OUT of this game or else he may be the current QB with the record for most TDs. Let that sink in… https://t.co/OPQcn3noUk
We’ve been through “turning the corner”, “finally arrived” “at last we got a franchise QB!” with Cutler, Trubisky and Fields: all turned out to be fugazi.
This could be Caleb’s “Tampa Bay Christening.” Dallas’ D could simply be that dreadful.
That being said, if you’re given a gift, you take it. Caleb is trending in the right direction, and that’s priority numero uno.
#Cowboys vs #Bears has us puzzled all year long! We need something to help on defense—whether it’s scheme, personnel, or coaching. Is it too soon to tell? We were ranked 29th on defense before this game… where do you all think we’ll be ranked after? pic.twitter.com/DSd7RekdGR
On D, well, raise your hand if you predicted the Bears’ D to hold Dallas to 14 points!
The start of the game continued to look like a horror show. Cowboys were just shredding the D, then, the unthinkable occurred.
Arguably the worst starting CB in the league, Tyrique Stevenson, made a play that completely reversed momentum.
FINALLY, somebody on the Bears’ D made a play like a blue-chipper. Apparently, a player’s only meeting was called that I missed.
Disgusted by the ugly start to the season, Bears safety Jaquan Brisker said he and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett called a players-only meeting for the defense Wednesday. It helped rally them to a 31-14 win over the Cowboys on Sunday.https://t.co/ibKbk4FWe7
Whatever was said WORKED. I frankly wasn’t expecting a win. I only wanted Bears to play with some pride. They did, and then some. Defensive game-ball went to Tremaine Edmunds who made not one but TWO plays when badly needed. Don’t think we’ve seen that from a MLB since Lach.
Bears defense making Dak look like a backup. Pickens' debut going exactly how the Steelers hoped – another Cowboys disaster unfolding. Total meltdown in Chicago.pic.twitter.com/oyqXqmUO0E
Also, tip-o-the-hat to Dennis Allen who called a great game. Look at that 2nd pick. Allen had Sweat peel off into flats to essentially bracket TE Ferguson [who I think was 10/10 at that point] PLUS prevent Dak from booting.
Dak was trying to look-off coverage by feigning the middle, turned right to his true target in Ferguson, spotted a 6’7 monster staring right at him with secondary over the top, quickly shifted left with Dexter right in his face, finally chucking an INT in desperation.
Truly a team effort. Scheme, execution, and playmaking.
HOWEVER, this D still concerns me bigly. Those DTs were on skates; defenders taking bad angles, and seemingly confused [look at how late they were lining-up on several snaps]. CB Nathon Wright specifically played nightmarishly. I feel like a major part of their opportunism was pure Dallas incompetence. No doubt CeeDee Lamb getting INJed helped Bears’ D, but how the heck do you lose a game when you’re basically getting first downs at will and AVGing like 6-7 per rush while the D was ailing giving up 52 previously, with a 2nd string LB, 4rth string CB, and little to no pressure/sacks ’til late?
But hey, that’s a COWGIRL problem. For once it feels fantastic playing a team that chokes more than…[fill in the blank].
A wins a win.
Let’s celebrate Ben Johnson’s first victory. May it be the first of countless. Every journey starts with a step. Let’s go!
Victoire Bears 31-14. Match propre des 2 côtés du terrain. Aucune perte de balle côté chicago vs 4 pour les @DallasCowboysFr 4TDs pour Caleb et 298yds. Pas de sack encaissés. La défense a sorti les Big Plays au bon moment, 2 Int dans la endzone. On peut gagner alors… pic.twitter.com/KN5NaJFt56
