Da Dos

Category: Sports

  • Bears@Puke WK14 Preview

    Bears@Puke WK14 Preview

    Dec 7, GB. [Preview]
    Total O/U: 44.5
    Puke: -5.5 Favorites
    Sunday 4:25PM EA, Fox
    Booth: Kevin Burkhardt/Brady

    Bears: —————/Pack:
    PPG: 26.1 [8th] ——/ 24.5 [10th]
    PPG allowed: 25.6 [27th] /18.8 [4th]
    TO Margin: +17 [1st] /+4 [T-10th]
    3rd Dwn O: 43.9% [6th] /49.3% [1st]
    3rd Down D: 35.2% [7th] /38.5% [17th]

    As one can see, the teams are evenly matched. Nevertheless, the fact that the Bears are outscoring the Puke through 13 weeks boggles the mind. The biggest discrepancies are that the Bears’ D causes way more TOs but also allows more points.

    While the Packers’ D is avg in stopping 3rd downs but are a top 4 unit in preventing scores.

    So, it seems, as always, the Bears’ D must rely on creating TOs.

    I used to believe they were too fluky to count on, but Dennis Allen [much like ’16 Lovie] has made them a feature – not a bug.

    Keep in mind that the Eagles were #1 in NOT turning it over, yet the Bears still managed to literally pry the ball away on their staple Tush-Push as Byard racked-up another INT to lead the NFL. Bears’ D gets gashed, but by hook-or-crook, they pounce on the pigskin.

    Bears’ redzone O: 58.5% [T-15th] avg.
    Packers’ rz O: 67.4% [3rd] very potent

    Bears’ RZ D: 61% [26th]Need to create TOs
    Puke RZ D: 59.4% [21st] Could be shoot-out

    INJ reports. [Will be updated in comments]

    QB Tale of the Tape:
    Love:———Caleb
    67%-Comp%-58.1%
    2,794–YDs— 2,722
    19/3–TD/INT– 17/5
    164–Rush Yds 306
    0—–Rush TDs 3
    104.3-QB Rating 88.2

    Looks like shadowboxing. Their stats are eerily similar. While Love better than Caleb in comp% and passer rating, Caleb the superior runner, escape artist and off-kilter thrower. In addition, gotta factor-in that GB has spent 5 yrs cultivating Love, including learning from a HOFer from the bench, while Caleb is only in his 2nd year and already with his 4rth OC. I am a little surprised Love hasn’t thrown many INTs given that he has 11 of them in both ’23 and ’24. However, friendly reminder that coming into Black Friday, Jaylen Hurts only threw ONE INT, so Wright, Byard et al don’t give a damn about your stats.

    Run game:

    Obviously, the Bears own a big advantage here. Swift YPC=4.8 and Monangai=4.9 coming off a dominating performance vs a stout Eagles’ Dline

    That being said, the Pack cock-blocked Gibbs, keeping him at 3.4 YPC/68 Total while season long are limiting HBs to under 4.0 YPC, so it’ll be strength-vs-strength. Who is mas macho?

    I hope to gawd Ben Johnson sticks to the run and limits the shotgun formations. You don’t want Micah Parsons [12.5 sks] flying off the edge vs Ozzy Trapilo. As such, I expect lots of TE/HB chipping with a healthy dose of quick screens towards Parsons’ side.

    BJ was also cooking with the misdirections vs Philly. It totally slowed down Zach Baun and aggressive Philly D; added wrinkle, BJ has put enough “trick plays” on tape to make any DC think twice about just teeing-off.

    Goff had a good game vs Packers [if not for some major drops]; ergo, if the O works off that PA, Caleb can likewise strike tactically as he did vs Philly.

    Bears’ run D, despite backup LBs and thin Dline, held Barkley to 4.3 YPC and 53 yds total. O dominating TOP contributed to that no doubt.

    However, most of us watched the Packers-Lions’ game, and Jacobs looked strong with 4.9 YPC /83 YDs total; Jacobs also ran for 5.7 YPC vs Giants, and 5.1 vs Panthers, so he’s picking up steam in chilly weather.

    What worries me more is Jordan Love looked like a top-3 QB vs a stiff Lions’ D in Detroit. He made ballsy throws on clutch downs sans INTs – very reminiscent of his predecessor. Love went off for 234, 4TDs, 0 SKs [in 30 pass attempts] for 124.2 Rating.

    So the key will be two fold. Make sure Jacobs doesn’t get going and force Love to become prime-Rodgers. With any luck, he reverts to drunk-Favre and starts chucking INTs.

    Like with the Eagles, all the pressure will be on THEM. The tighter and later it gets, the better it will be for the Bears since they’re used to being the junkyard dogs no one wants lurking.

    The Bears haven’t been the #1 seed in the NFC this late since…’16!

    Mano de Sweetness

  • Packer Week

    Packer Week

    ‘Nuff said.

  • Bear-less Sunday WK13

    Bear-less Sunday WK13

    “Taking a Peek into the Holidays”

    Considering the last time two Bears’ running backs rushed for 100+ ea, thought this apropos. When Sweetness was dying, Suhey used to drive by his house to check-in. Sweetness would be lying on his couch, then at a certain time of day, raise his hand, stick up his middle-finger; Suhey could see it through the window, knew he was still kicking and keep driving.

    They would be proud of the trucking this past Black Friday.

    Since Packers and Lions already played, that leaves the Vikings who scare no one going forward.

    Still on a Friday high, so in case you thought you were hallucinating about the Bears crushing the defending world champs in Philly, here’s a great seg from the Eagles’ side.

    “It wasn’t just that they were able to defeat us with physicality; it was scheme. They were putting guys in motion…seemed like the DEs didn’t know if they were going left or right…reverses, jet sweeps…they had no answer for duo [double-teams] while Monangai was just knocking guys out. It was Embarrassing” – Barrett Brooks

    “Most rushing yards against the Eagles since 1973. Most in Philly since 1962. I think today we saw what a real [Bears’] offense looks like, efficient, unpredictable, creative, inventive, keeps you off balance ” – Reuben Frank

    “Philly invested so much in that d-line, and they just got mauled. Power-football, Bully-ball – and we just took it.” – Jaws

    It sounds like the Bears fomented a complete existential crisis for the Eagles. I guess it ain’t always sunny in Philly…

    Enjoy your R&R, boys…

  • Victory Saturday! Bears Bludgeon Defending Champs 24-15

    Victory Saturday! Bears Bludgeon Defending Champs 24-15

    Ok, so I’m still out and about so won’t be able to do a proper thorough breakdown, but it’s enough to say that the Bears are no longer “fun frauds’. They physically imposed their will on a team that absolutely demolished the Chiefs in the past SB. If you told a clueless viewer that one team was the champ and the other the underdog, he’d guess that the champs were the Bears and underdogs the Eagles. As Kirk Herbstreit remarked going into the half, “It’s only 10-3 but feels like Bears are winning 21-3,” and that momentum kept rolling basically ’til the final whistle.

    All the Grinches, Santas and battery chuckers left early once the Bears went up two scores late.

    Technically it could’ve been a measly one score game at the end if not for a truly dumfounding Nick Sirianni decision to go for two instead of kick a PAT.

    The Bears looked hungrier, cleaner, cooler, more explosive and confident.

    They totally steamrolled a vaunted Eagles’ Dline to the tune of 281 total yards rushing [and it honestly could’ve been more if Ben Johnson cut down on those baffling shotgun plays]!

    Eagles’ offense turned it over the least to date, and the Bears still forced TWO TOs including stripping Jalen Hurts on their patented ‘brotherly shove’. That’s like catching Bruce Lee’s one-inch punch and snapping his fingers in half.

    Caleb Williams had a rough day [17/36-47%; 1TD, 1 INT, 2 SKs; 56.9 Rating]. So did Jalen Hurts. It’s hard to discern if it was the wind, the drops, or his usually inaccuracy [likely all 3], but he’s still making plays when needed, and none bigger than this one.

    If you dissect the play, Caleb could’ve easily dumped it off to Swift. He could’ve also kept it and used Swift as a blocker getting maybe 5-6 yds; however, Caleb didn’t Dalton-it. He went for the jugular – drifting left threw a ball that just floated into Kmet’s hands for a killer TD. Right about then the Boo-Birds started hitting the exits.

    In the end, Bears are 9-3, atop the NFCN, gaining a conference win and possible tie-breaker for seeding, but most importantly the ’25 Bounce Back Bears sent a LOUD message to the rest of the league.

    We’re REAL. You’re next.

  • Bears@Eagles Paint it Black Friday

    Bears@Eagles Paint it Black Friday

    Bringing out the big ‘guns’ for this one. Tired of everyone calling the Bear frauds.

    I have a theory on Caleb. He needs to get hit. So call a QB run for him early, let his juices get going; then he focuses. Maybe this will get him to play 4 QTRs like a boss.

    I know we’ll be highlighting a gimpy Saquon, but can’t forget that AJ Brown has owned the Bears in the past:

    A.J. Brown has had 13 catches for 282 yards and has scored 1 touchdown in 2 games versus the Bears in his career.

    Since it’s Philly, here’s one the funniest clips from one of my fave comedies, “It’s Always Sunny in Philly”

    May the Bears make the Eagles their scientists.

    Bear down!

  • Bears@Eagles Game Preview WK13

    Bears@Eagles Game Preview WK13

    Happy [Early] Turkey Day! Or if you’re vegetarian, Tofurkey Day which actually can double as a football if you play Thanksgiving ball like me and my friends used to.

    Rev reminded me of the Fog Bowl, so if you’re feeling nostalgic, click here.

    Bears@Eagles Preview.

    O/U 44.5; Eagles -6.5

    Eagles’ O.
    PPG. 23.2 [17th]
    YPG. 303.6 [24rth]
    PYPG. 193.2 [23rd]
    RYPG. 110.5 [21st]
    3rd Down conv. 34.56% [27th]
    TOs. 6 [1st]

    As of Weds, the Eagles are still missing RT Lane Johnson. Given how impactful Montez Sweat has been since the bye, that’s absolutely a favorable Bears’ matchup.

    As for the Bears, eyes are on Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon finally returning. Honestly though, how much of a ‘downgrade’ is Nashon Wright from JJ? JJ has dropped some relatively easy INTs, you think he makes some of those spectacular Wright high-points? Wright was also in prime position to end the Steelers’ game at the end if Brisker doesn’t tip it. You have the same confidence JJ INTs that?

    Meanwhile all CJ Gardner-Johnson has done is everything. What does Gordon do better besides strain something?

    These are real questions Dennis Allen must answer soon, and maybe Ryan Poles down the line with the cap and trying to nab and pay a premiere rusher like Jefferey Simmons or Myles Garrett.

    The Eagles’ O doesn’t turn it over, so this is strength vs strength. I think the last time the Bears lost the turnover battle [Ravens], they lost the game. So we’ll see which unit imposes its will. #1 No TO Eagles’ O – or #1 TO Bears’ D.

    Their run game has struggled though. They avg 3.9 per rush, 2.30 yds before contact, and rank 24rth in EPA in last 3 weeks. Flus actually used a 5-man “Bear” front to stuff Saquon Barkley, and I can easily see Dennis Allen following suit with Brisker, Sewell, Jackson, or Gordon[?] and CJ off the corners. Granted, Cowboys had Quinnen Williams, but Grady Jarrett has looked healthier as of late.

    The wildcard will be Jaylen Hurts scrambling; the Bears have struggled vs running QBs like Dart, Huntley, etc and are down to PS squad tier LBs who bit on every misdirection vs Steelers, but as the Giants found out the hard way, that’s a risky gameplan. Bears’ D flies and lays the wood hunting for TOs.

    On D, we all know the Eagles’ Dline is to envy. We are well aware that Poles drafted Darnell Wright instead of Jalen Carter, and that Carter has played at an AP level and is arguably a top 3 DT which we can fantasize about.

    However, the Bears’ Oline has totally rebounded from ’24 and has become an asset coming off a strong game vs Steelers where Ozzy Trapilo stepped in and looked the part.

    Caleb struggling under pressure raises an eyebrow. Would like to see him make aggressive Ds pay, but what QB doesn’t struggle under pressure?

    One thing that could be a gamechanger though is that the Vikings brought edge blitzers to stifle the stretch run and contain Caleb.

    The Eagles’ Dline is talented enough to not need to blitz, which means Fangio will use all kinds of exotic coverages to confuse Caleb. If there’s a rush in his face on top of that, could be a long Black Friday for Caleb.

    Here’s a concise game preview by Bears Now.


    Think Trac said Bears would have to get two turnovers and score over 30 to win this game.

    My response, “So, basically, another Bears’ game.”

    It’s gotten to that point in the season where we don’t have to wonder all that much what teams are.

    The Bears are a feisty, sloppy, opportunistic team with the most dangerous weapon of all:

    BELIEF

    They BELIEVE that if it’s close, no matter how slow, penalty-ridden, or miscued through 3 QTRs – no matter if the opposing team blocked a punt/FG, returned for a TD, strip-sacked TD, are averaging 6 yards per play, or if they’re down to 20 players because lighting struck their sideline…these Bears believe they’ll close it out regardless.

    That’s a 180 from the floundering Fluses which found ways to lose.

    Bears are a scary team to face even if you are the reigning champs and favorited Eagles. Bears are playing with house $ while the entire Philly hate-machine has been pounding on them all season especially after a brutal blown game against their hated rival Cowboys.

    Overtime:

    Couple odd stats for Bears.

    1. No QB with such an awful comp% wins as much as Caleb Williams. It’s not even all that close really:

    2. Bears are also -3 point differential total the whole season. Apparently only the 1987 Chargers were worse through 11 games.

    [Any old-timers recall the ’87 Chargers?]

    I mentioned this before, but this Bears’ team reminds me a lot of the ’22 Vikings when they made that crazy 13-4 run with Kirk Cousins. Felt like every week was that scene from “Airplane”, “Looks like I picked the wrong time to quit sniffing glue!”

    [2023 Vikings? 7-10]

    Then add that the Bears’ D allows 5.77 YPP [20th], 26.5 PPG [27th] yet still count on at least 2+TOs per game [1st], and one can understand why many persist the Bears are “Fun Frauds.”

    It’ll be up to Bears to finally silence the doubters; after all, the only difference between “fun frauds” and epic “Cinderellas” is winning.

    [Go Puke?]

  • Rapid Reax: Bears’ D closes out Steelers. 8-3

    Rapid Reax: Bears’ D closes out Steelers. 8-3

    Seems Mike Tomlin was playing games about Rodgers starting. Though some argue the ‘drop off’ isn’t much to Rudolph at this point in their careers.

    D’Marco Jackson wore the green dot and racked up 15 tackles!

    That seems to be the theme for the Steelers’ game. “Next Man Up.”

    Theo down, Ozzy steps up
    All the LBs go down, Jackson and Co step up
    Jonah Jackson goes down temprorily, Luuuuke Newman steps up…

    Trapilo specifically seems to have held his own:

    Ryan Fowler@_RyanFowler_

    LT for Chicago has been a weak spot along a rebuilt front five this fall… but not today. Heck of an afternoon for rookie Ozzy Trapilo against a veteran Steelers front (41 pass pro snaps): • 1 pressure • 0 sacks • 0 QB hits ~ 88.4 pass pro effectiveness grade

    The offense had a chance to close it out by getting a measly first down, but they failed to do so, leaving it to the D to save the game. This is both worrying and comforting. Worrisome in that the Offense and not the Defense is supposed to be the strength of this team. Reassuring in that despite the Mash Unit on defense, they did indeed stop the Steelers from even attempting a FG.

    The run game wasn’t dominant, but it did enough. It may have done more if the runs were actually better executed [especially when Monangai tripped].

    The Bears are a somewhat sloppy team. Seems like they pull-off every win with bailing wire and duct-tape. Nevertheless they have WON 8 of 9 and still have yet to produce a complete game.

    One thing though is Caleb Williams’ accuracy must improve. Remember, the stated goal in August was that he reach 70%. No way he sniffs that. It feels that at spells he sleep walks, missing badly, then suddenly wakes up and becomes Marino. No clue how BJ fixes that, but it definitely needs fixing if they don’t want Eagles, Puke or Lions to embarrass them. They’re not going to spot the Bears free QTRs ’til Caleb snaps into action.

    FIRST ROUND MOCK@firstroundmock

    Caleb Williams sub 60% completion percentage…Again.

    Last 8 games:

    • 59.5%
    • 58.6%
    • 57.7%
    • 65.8%
    • 58.8%
    • 55.6%
    • 50.0%
    • 54.3%

      Caleb and Rome particularly seem to be on different pages. Rome needs to play like a top 10 pick.

    Needless to say, Caleb can’t take any more of these.

    Overall however, Caleb’s been productive. He’s not efficient, but he’s clutch in spots which has translated to wins.

    8-3 boys, and top of the NFCN. All that matters. Special shot out to Dennis Allen for MacGyvering the Defense.

    Enjoy victory Monday!

  • Sweep the Leg

    Sweep the Leg

  • When a win is more than a win, or is it?

    When a win is more than a win, or is it?

    By reg Clockwork Orange and Blue

    Aaron Rodgers has a career 25-5 record against the Bears. He famously declared his ownership of the Bears following the Rodgers Packers’ penultimate victory against the Beloved in Rodgers’ final year with the team. Nothing tastes as sweet, or devastates as much, than a win or loss against the Packers, and this was especially true with Rodgers at the helm. And now in week 12 of an improbable 7-3 season, the Bears are faced with an aging Rodgers on a different team.

    8-3 is a mark that would put the Bears one win closer to the magic number of 10, a total that would certainly catapult them to the playoffs and mark the start of what could be the Bears team we have all been thirsting for – one that wins games not in spite but because of their offense and quarterback. Are all wins equal? Do we dare now move the goalposts from “any win is a good win”?

    With Rodgers suffering (my god, I hope he is suffering) a broken left wrist and marked as questionable to play on Sunday, do we hope to see him in the pocket, knowing full well his ownership, his football voodoo, over the Bears?

    You and I know he wants to be dancing out of the pocket after a near sack, twisting and galloping with Bears in pursuit from behind while he angles toward the flat, and with a flick of the wrist, sending a perfect lofted spiral into the waiting hands of a streaking receiver, breaking Chicago’s spirit once more. You just know he wants to do that one last time, to punctuate his career with a defining statement: “I will forever own you.”

    On the flip side, even though he is not with Green Bay, what would be sweeter than to see Rodgers rolling in agony on the Soldier Field turf after releasing a lame duck following a brutal full frontal blow, a ball that flutters gently down into the hands of a waiting safety who then speeds by the scene of the crime and all eyes are not on the motionless Rodgers, but on the celebration in the end zone, the final score that ends both the game and Rodgers’ career.

    Do you take that chance with Rodgers, knowing it could take you back to the heartbreak of the last 20 years, but also knowing that you could find yourself with a real reason to say “this Bears team is different and for real”? Or would you rather not face that prospect and see Mason Rudolph under center, knowing the chances for victory are that much greater. How badly do you want to reach 10 wins – are you a pragmatist or a romantic?

    Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are the quintessential pragmatists. It is why he is where he is in his 19th season, having never suffered a losing season, yet only winning a single Super Bowl. Do we want to be the Steelers? Would you be happy if Ben Johnson’s career mirrored Tomlin’s?

    I would not. I am a Romantic, an Idealist, and I have an inkling that Ben Johnson is too. Does he enjoy the wins? Yes. he certainly does. But in his decisions, I do not see Tomlin, or Lovie. I see a man driven by his ideals. He knows what he wants and he knows what he wants to see. He is a man who will not just be satisfied with a .600 winning percentage and a long career. He wants to feel the adrenaline of a win without excuses.

    He wants to beat Rodgers.

    And so do I.

  • Bounceback Bears!

    Bounceback Bears!

    Everyone’s trying to create a great nickname for the ’25 Bears. “Cardiac Cubs” [meh]. “Comeback Kids” [trite]. One I did fancy was “The Cocaine Bears“:

    “They’re never dead, and like a cocaine addicted bear, they self-destruct before wreaking havoc around everyone around them…for the win.” [11:08]

    However, I’ll just go with the Bounceback Bears.

    For starters, they have absolutely bouncebacked from that abysmal ’24 season in which Matt Eberflus found innovative ways to snatch losses from the jaws of victory to the point where he became the first HC EVER in Bears’ history to get terminated midseason.

    Mind you, the Bears have been around since Coca-Cola laced their drinks with actual coke, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, and Prohibition passed. It’s even more impressive when one recalls the clown-car of HCs in that time span[cough, Trestman].

    The disastrous season culminated in THREE different OCs and 68 sacks which ranks 3rd all-time.

    In addition, we must remember the infuriating way Flus called defense: rarely blitzing, playing the CBs 5 yards off, essentially gifting every team free crossers, always reactive, soft, and flaccid which no beard makeover could fix.

    Who can forget when on a key play Flus made a DT cover an athletic TE, or basically bending over vs Washington leading to that infamous Hail Mary?

    Fast forward to now…

    Enter the 2025 Bears. They already have FIVE comeback victories.

    And they’re not your ho-hum, run-of-the-mill, comebacks either.

    They’re crazy catches [Loveland], walk off blocked FGs [Raiders], snatched fumbled snaps [Washington], Duvernay KR [Vikings], 26 YD shanked punt [Giants].

    I still don’t think my heart has recovered from that Bengals game alone.

    How many times did we say to ourselves in the 3rd QTR, “Here we go again. Same ole Bears. It’s over…” Yet it was only beginning.

    Say what you will about the Bears, but they’re dramatic must-watch TV.

    And entertaining!

    Sure, they’re about as fun as massive turbulence, learning how to drive in a stick-shift, approaching a hot girl, or surfing a tsunami…

    But fun nonetheless!

    And in the end, isn’t that the whole point of sports?

    I remember playing at the parks, and some chads were just waaaay too competitive. Don’t get me wrong, I was competitive too [no one who plays sports isn’t competitive to some degree], but I wasn’t going to FIGHT over it – or go to my car to dig for weapons.

    Mostly though, park-ball was an organic energetic activity with tons of synergistic highs: it was jazz.

    Organized sports OTOH was like joining a military marching band. All about winning, structure, PAIN.

    I didn’t begin playing sports to suffer. I never had Tiger Woods’ dad brainwashing me since I was 10 months old, dragging me out to golf at 5AM like some Marine Drill Instructor when I should be eating cereal and watching cartoons in my Spider-Man undies [fast forward to what happens to such ppl like Tiger or Michael Jackson].

    I admit that PRO athletes are indeed getting paid to win; however, I am not getting paid to watch, nor was I getting paid to play.

    I played sports because – it was fun.

    As I’m sure most of us did.

    Winning came later, and don’t get me wrong, WINNING is great, but it’s more like sex in a marriage: the spice, not the meal.

    If I gave it my all, and got beat, well – I got beat. That’s life.

    If a 6’4, 220 college power-forward is posting me up, not much a 5’9, 175 point-guard can do about it – even if you’re Allen Iverson.

    That’s life.

    And because that’s life, many of us turn to watching sports where it’s SUPPOSED to be an even playing field; where players step on the stage to flaunt their athletic prowess and leave us in wonderment and awe.

    For 3 brief hours we are transported to the sublime.

    All I ask every Bears’ season is for them to be relevant by Thanksgiving. That’s it.

    They don’t have to become a juggernaut, go undefeated, or remake the ’85 season [would be awesome!]…

    Simply be a viable playoff contender every Thanksgiving instead of the butt of jokes [don’t get me started on the Bear memes] or worse, my friends putting their hands on my shoulder offering condolences for 30 years straight.

    The ’25 Bears are relevant in late November.

    Bill Parcells used to say that the real season starts after Thanksgiving, but you know, we’ll get to that.

    For now, I’m going to take a moment of zen and cherish this wild season. They don’t strike very often [last one may have been the Dick Jauron 13-win season 24 years ago].

    So let’s all appreciate the 7-3, NFCN leading, Bounce Back Bears!

    And pass the statins…