Da Dos

Category: Sports

  • Rapid Reax: Bears Eke Out Another ‘W’. NFCN Leaders

    Rapid Reax: Bears Eke Out Another ‘W’. NFCN Leaders

    Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright intercepts a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison during a football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis.

    (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

    If I had told you on Saturday that Caleb Williams would go 50%, 183 YDs, 0 TDs, 2 sacks, 68.9 QB Rating -that Cairo would miss a vital FG, and Bears’ victory would hinge on a Duvernay KR, would you have even tuned into the game on Sunday?

    Nevertheless, Bears won
    And almost as sweet, the Lions lost

    Which means the Bears are the uncontested Kings of the North!

    For game highlights, click here.
    Ben Johnson post-presser here.

    Few general impressions.

    1. Wasn’t overly enthused with Ben Johnson’s play calling. Way too much shot-gun on 3rd and short when the obvious strength of the O is the run; it’s not as if the Vikings were shutting it down on Sunday either. Too much “Nagy-ball” for my taste.

    And bringing out Bagent as a decoy twice on critical 3rds? Eh

    Punting on that 4rth and 5 was also dubious. It would’ve been wrong if not for an improbable Duvernay return or possible Caleb miracle.

    2. Caleb still inconsistent especially versus aggressive DCs like Brian Flores.

    It was obvious early on that Flores was going to shut down the perimeter attack. He continually sent edge blitzes to stuff the zone-stretch runs, and force Caleb to recognize the blitz and throw lasers over the middle from the collapsing pocket.

    Result?

    Well, see above stat line.

    Caleb Williams had season-low marks in completion % (50.0) & first downs (6). EPA/dropback (-0.07), rating (68.9) & YPA (6.0) were second-lowest of the season. The Vikings also threw a ton at him, blitzing 66.7% of the time, per@TruMediaSports
    & he did not turn it over – Kevin Fishbain

    It may very well be that Vikings’ D is that dynamic. They did win 14 games last season and held Lamar Jackson to 58%, 176 YDs, 1 TD.

    Regardless, Caleb would be the first to admit his performance is unacceptable. His end of game reaction says it all, and I for one am glad he expressed obvious frustration. Sign of a true competitor.

    3. I wondered aloud, “Is Allen a better DC than BJ an OC?”

    Maybe.

    While BJ has definitely gotten results scoring 9 more PPG than ’24 Flus, he’s also played with practically a full deck especially when contrasted to the MASH unit Allen is working with, yet that D out-performed the O. It only relented on that very last series.

    Now part of this was JJ McCarthy [in only his 5th start] inconsistency [sound familiar?]

    When JJ was off, he was REALLY off, which lead to 2 INTs that Caleb, to his credit, never chucked.

    But I’m actually shocked the Bears’ run D held up. I mean, have the Bears EVER won a game when Aaron Jones started?

    So kudos to Dennis the Menace Allen. He’s squeezed every bit of talent from the lemons Poles and INJs unloaded on him.

    I’m sure Rev will send Cairo Santos a congratulatory bouquet.

    Kevin Fishbain Cairo Santos now has the Bears’ franchise record for most 50+ field goals (24).

    On specials, well, they were terrible for a lot of the game, AGAIN, and that big Vikings’ PR essentially resuscitated them to a near victory. Then this happened.

    Game. Blouses.

    This will technically go down as Caleb’s 5th ‘comeback’ win, but he just handed it off 3 times to get Santos into FG range at the end.

    Overtime:

    Bears have greatly increased their playoff chances according to Rain Men.

    What in the actual…

    Sums it up quite succinctly.

    Nevetheless, 7-3 and NFCN leaders, baby!

  • Bears@Vikings Game Thread WK11

    Bears@Vikings Game Thread WK11

    Drake Maye vs Jets 1st half:
    Maye completed his first 11 passes going 14-for-16 [78%] for 140 yards. One of the misses was a long bomb that may have been INTed
    Maye’s also 73.5% with a 113.2 QB rating for the season.

    Would love to see Caleb start with that efficiency, so he can leave the cape in the phone booth for once. Be better for all our hearts.

    Pretty cool vid here. Kinda behind the scenes and a great insight into current Halas and Ben Johnson locker room. That Washington game may be bigger than even the pundits imagined.

    Win, he must. Overcome the darkside of inconsistency, he will.

    Let’s hope their run game gets bogged down like that X-wing in the swamp.

    Knock on wood. Bear down, jabrones!

  • Bears@Vikings Game Preview

    Bears@Vikings Game Preview

    Minny leads series 69-58-2

    By the numbers:

    Bears’ O 26.6 PPG [7th] Can you believe it!

    Week 1 Vikes beat Bears 27-24

    -JJ 143 YDS, 2TDs, 1 INT, 1 Rush TD, 98.5 Rating
    -Caleb 210 YDS, 1 TD, 86.6 Rating

    Vikings’ Pass D allows 102.7 Rating to opposing QBs [24rth]. They only have 3 INTs the whole season. In addition, they have also allowed 24+ points in past 4 games.

    So in theory, this should be a favorable matchup for Caleb through the air.

    Despite this, they boast an athletic front which held Lamar Jackson, arguably the most efficient QB, to 58%, 176 YDs, 1 TD

    Their run D seems a bit more stout holding King Henry to 75 yds, 3.8 ypc. Season long they concede 4.2 ypc [16th].

    JJ McCarthy has been held to a sub 83 QB rating in last 3 games [54.5 vs Ravens] and is going to play with a bruised hand that has limited his practice.

    He has also been sacked 11 times in previous 2 games. Bears have racked up 3+ sacks in back-to-back games, but the key will be if JJ holds on to the ball.

    What should worry Bears more is Vikings rushed for 167 YDs [6.7 ypc] vs Ravens as JJ contributed 48. Given how Dart – darted around – hopefully the D practiced setting the edge, contain, and RPOs.

    Season-long Bears’ D is giving up 5.2 ypc [29th], and if Edwards remains out, you bet your ass the Vikings are going to want to limit JJ passing as much as possible and attack Jarrett/Chris Williams/Sewell every chance they get.

    This is where the Caleb gauntlet begins. Like Hercules and his 12 Labors, Caleb will need to prove himself in order to relieve a lot traumatized Bear fans.

    X-Factor

    Bears played a relatively clean game vs Gmen [3 accepted flags], but will this carry over on the road in a raucous stadium? The Bears NEED to start winning some of these div games [they’re 0-2 currently] in order to stay atop the division or ahead on the WC race with tie-breakers.

    Let the labors commence!

    Overtime. Michael Franzese is a former Columbo cappo who was heavily involved with athletes gambling. If you even watched ONE mafia flick, you know that gambling is YUGE in that culture, so this is his take on what’s rocking the NBA and MLB.

    “My dad told me there’s three things that can kill you: wine, gambling, and women. Watch all three of them.“

  • The Promised Land

    The Promised Land

    “Charlie Wilson’s War” is a criminally underrated movie. It’s about the CIA funding the Mujahideen in Afghanistan; it’s so absurd, it has to be true. Spoiler alert – it didn’t end well!

    Well, one scene specifically is cinematic magic in the hands of the late great Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

    This is how I feel about the Caleb Williams’ journey.

    Rookie year was up and down as Caleb definitely held on to the ball for too long resulting in a whopping 68 sacks [3rd most all time], but he did steer Bears to some late-time heroics including defeating GB in the finale.

    Nevertheless, the whole fiasco of going through 3 different OCs and Flus mid-season firing made it impossible to objectively evaluate.

    Up and down. Up and down.

    “We’ll see.”

    2025. First game he essentially gets outplayed by a raw JJ McCarthy. Then crushed by the Lions.

    He sucks!

    “We’ll see.”

    Later Caleb goes off on toothless Dallas.

    He’s great!

    “We’ll see.”

    Tyler Huntley comes off the Practice Squad and outduels him.

    Heck, often this rollercoaster spins us through loops in a single game.

    Bear games should come with the same warning: do not ride if you have a heart condition or abnormal blood pressure.

    Jaxson Dart, a rook on an awful team with a walking-dead HC, looked better than Caleb. Blame drops, BJ, wind, Tall Whites…don’t matter, Dart still looked sharper passing and running than Caleb [Flacco didn’t look too shabby in comparison either].

    Then Comeback Caleb dons his cape, and we know the rest.

    So where does that leave us?

    “We’ll see.”

    One thing is certain: through 10 weeks, the Bears have played some of the softest defenses.

    Jared@CinnamonJared
    ·
    The bears strength of schedule is .351 (next closest is Buffalo at .407) and their strength of victory is .272 (next closest is the jets at .278)

    Both easiest in the entire league

    Our very own Zombie posted this in-depth commentary:

    —————
    I know we’re all excited about being relevant this “late” in a season. Perhaps some perspective?

    Here are the records of Bears opponents thus far, not including the games against the Bears.

    The teams that beat the Bears
    Detroit: 5-3
    Minnesota: 3-5
    Baltimore: 3-5
    Aggregate: 11-13 (.458)

    Teams the Bears beat:
    Cowboys: 3-4-1
    Bengals: 3-5
    Commanders: 3-6
    Raiders: 2-6
    Saints: 2-7
    Giants: 2-7
    Aggregate: 15-35-1 (.304)

    Grand aggregate: .353

    In other words, bottom feeding. If you add the Bears games, the winning percentage of the opponents is 29-54-1, a mighty .351.

    Of course, you can only play who is on the schedule.

    But, clearly we ain’t done nothin’ yet.

    ———-
    Zombie is not alone. Twitter is brimming with [illiterate] doomers:

    Needless to say, the future SOS doesn’t get easier.

    “Front-runners” is a word floating around the Bears like Drakkar Noir at a gaudy discotheque.

    The other standard ‘slander’ on Caleb is that he wouldn’t need to be Captain Comeback if he actually played well for the other 3 QTRs.

    Or that despite the D spotting him 3 extra possessions, he still barely beats horrendous defenses.

    Common counters – Caleb only in his sophomore season, new to BJ-system, LT is some Canadian walk-on, he’s cut down his sack rate from 10.8 to 4.6 , unfair to compare to Maye, ‘this is a hit piece!’…

    And round-n-round we go.

    A lot of us may live in a Bear echo-chamber, but perhaps the sole good thing about Twitter is that one can see the haters from every echo-chamber!

    So what does this all mean?

    Simple. Caleb must prove the doubters wrong down the stretch.

    It won’t be about stats, comp %, EPA, “4K!” or other nerdanomics.

    Maybe not even about wins and losses.

    Caleb’s rating could hit 158.3 the rest of the way, and it won’t matter in the win column if the defense gets lit up by SB contenders like the Lions, Eagles, 9ers, Pack [2X]…while Specials continue to struggle as flags fly.

    Of course, we’re all going to be pulling for Caleb. How awesome would it be for him to rise above the criticism – to grow before our eyes and totally dominate from anthem to fade to black…

    To transfigure into that mythical elite QB we’ve all been waiting for so long…

    The franchise-messiah to finally lead us to the SB Promised-Land…

    Will he deliver?

    “We’ll see.”

  • Overtime Giants

    Overtime Giants

    Update. Bears are now tied for #1 with the Lions in the NFCN!

    Few additional take-aways from Sunday.

    1. Bears seemingly always get shafted with penalties.

    The refs didn’t hesitate to throw a roughing passer on Sewell when it was basically against the laws of physics for him to avoid the hit.

    Yet same refs, same games, didn’t throw the flag on Giants’ defender doing his best Sagat Tiger Knee to Caleb’s head.

    The crowd let the refs know it too. Think it was collectively getting the red-headed step child treatment for seemingly forever. I don’t know what Ben Johnson can do without getting fined, but SOMETHING must be done about this apparent unfavorable treatment. This game was relatively flag-less for Bears, but history says It could cost the Bears a playoff spot, or even a WC win down the line.

    2. Caleb scrambled more

    Cbear said he’d like to see Caleb run it more when it’s not there [+ to get down quickly], and BJ must’ve heard as Caleb seemed to scramble more.

    It wasn’t accidental either.

    Courtney Cronin
    DJ Moore on why the Bears are seeing an increase of critical scrambles from Caleb Williams: “I think he got the green light to go ahead and use his legs more because teams are playing 2-mans, quarters and man-to-man, so he can just be able to get out with his legs and be another weapon.”

    In other words, unlike Trubisky and Fields, Caleb‘s arm is forcing Ds off the LOS which opens up runlanes for him and the HBs. It’s also worth noting that they’re scrambles not designed Dart-runs which gets him killed every week. Caleb seems to only really resort to scrambles when absolutely necessary [unlike Fields].

    3. BJ needs to cut Olamide Zacchaeus‘ snaps and give them to Burden and Loveland.

    • Find some alternative to Sewell. Teams are just gonna keep attacking him in the pass which also stresses the run D
    • Jarrett snaps also need to be reduced. Seems like every time he’s in, a big play pops. Problem is Chris Williams ain’t it either. Bears may just be stuck here.
    • More run por favor, BJ

    Game balls.

    1. Caleb Offense
    2. CJ Gardner-Johnson Defense

    Shot out to Montez Sweat for his 4.5 sack in last 4 games; he’s absolutely not Dayoing it.

    On that note some are saying Ryan Poles needs to revamp the D. I’m not sure he’s CAPABLE of it. Dayo and Jarrett are going to cost the cap in ’26 $20M/$19M respectively.

    The wind was a big factor in the game. It forced both teams to go for it instead of settle for FGs.

    Result? They were a combined 2-8 in successfully converting a 4rth down which I think is least efficient 4rth down conversion rate in a few years. They essentially turned it over a combined 6 times on downs alone.

    Maybe Darnell Wright needs to start a political podcast named, “No Spin Zone”!

  • Bears Escape a Giant Upset: 24-20

    Bears Escape a Giant Upset: 24-20

    Giants were 2-7. They lost like 10 in a row on the road. Skattabo-less, beat-up with a rook QB in a snowy windy Soldier Field and an HC on the hot-seat.

    So naturally, the Bears nearly blew it!

    The key word is “NEARLY.”

    If you missed the game, here’s a concise “Re-Kap.”

    Kap is citing 8 drops, but for what it’s worth, PFF credits 6. Either way, 6 would be the most drops by any team through ten NFL weeks, and that doesn’t even include close misses.

    However, the drops were only part of the offensive disfunction. I have no clue why Ben Johnson went so quick-rhythm passing for the first half. Giants’ D were ranked 31st vs run, and dead last vs defending parameter runs [Swift specialty]. Now maybe he was trying to zig instead of zag, but result?

    7-points.

    Didn’t help that Jaxson Dart was dealing.

    Through 3 QTRs, he looked like the superior QB while Brian Daboll looked like the superior playcaller continually targeting LBs[esp Sewell] as the Gmen bullied the Bears’ Dline.

    Then this happened.

    Up 17-7 and already close to FG range, I wouldn’t doubt if many Bear fans hit the parking lot to beat traffic. The whole game just felt off – not exactly low energy, but like a David Lynch flick that just made the whole experience a little uncomfortable.

    Then the Bears’ D rises to the occasion. Some may have wondered why I didn’t grade the Bears’ D lower. Moments like these are why. Despite getting pawned for most of the game, giving up a bunch of yards, and essentially losing in every metric… they almost always find a way to force a TO or a big stop [see the CJ blitzes, Dexter contain, Sweat sack]. After the Cowboys’ game, I was dubious they could maintain it, but they have, and this is who they are; it’s no small part why the Bears are 6-3. Will they keep forcing TOs against a brutal 2nd half gauntlet? Stay tuned, but relish it and a winning record for the time being.

    Courtney Cronin

    C.J. Gardner–Johnson on what was going through his mind in the 3rd Q when he forced Jaxson Dart to fumble: “I got tired of him running the ball. No disrespect. It’s just aggravating when he breaks for 20, 50 yards and you’re playing great coverage. So I had to find a way to get off the field to get the ball out of his hands eventually.”

    This dude just joined the club! Yet he’s already talking like a Dennis Allen ballhawk.

    This play completely turned the game around particularly since it also knocked out Jaxson Dart. After Dart went out, Daboll turtled with Russ Wilson. He definitely wasn’t going let Russ cook; heck, he wasn’t going to allow Russ to even enter the kitchen.

    Then it was Caleb Clutch time!

    In fact, the Bears scored TOO quickly, and gave what seemed like an eternity back to the Giants.

    Despite the struggling D, they still finished the game with a key CJ Gardner blitz which the Gmen totally blew in blocking [a 2nd time]. Ya know Allen was saving that blitz for a crucial moment, and it was for the final Giants’ drive.

    Bears 24, Giants 20. Fade to black…

    [Fly Eagles, Fly!]

  • Giants@Bears Thread

    Giants@Bears Thread

    So to continue with my mid-term grades, I’ll make it short.

    The D is schizo. Allowing 6.4 YDs per play. Tied for worst with Bengals.

    However, Bears’ D also leads the NFL in TOs! Apparently the last D to allow the most yards per play AND lead in TOs was the 1995 Cardinals [4-12]. It’s unsustainable to say the least.

    Bears Dline lacks a pass rush, and can get gashed on the ground albeit Sweat is starting to heat up, and maybe Austin Booker lives up to the hype. Add in INJs and allowing 28.4 PPG [25th]…

    Defense: C

    As for specials, it’s been up and down year for FGs, and Bears actually haven’t punted much. Regardless, Tori does look better.

    That being said, the KO coverage is straight azz and has allowed teams to keep hanging around; it’s nearly impossible to mess up an onside kick, yet the Bears managed it. Hightower should be fired, and Moody maybe needs to replace Santos.

    Bears Specials: D

    As for the Giants, what’s to say?

    Bo Nix stats vs Gmen:

    Passing: 27-of-50, 279 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 83.7 quarterback rating 

    Rushing: 5 rushes, 48 yards, 2 touchdowns, 21-yard long run 

    Fourth Quarter Performance: In the final quarter, Nix recorded two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns, becoming the first player in NFL history to do so in a single quarter

    Bears SHOULD win the game, esp in “Bear weather” which means they’ll make it much closer than it should be.

    Same as it ever was…

  • Mid-Term Grades ’25

    Mid-Term Grades ’25

    It’s halfway through the Bears’ 2025 season; as such, it’s enough of a sample size to grade.

    TLDW2R:

    A dynamic team on O and D with subpar specials.

    Now, “dynamic” doesn’t necessarily equal “excellent.”

    1. Dynamic:(of a process or system) characterized by constant change, activity, or progress.


    Offense:

    The Bears score 26.9 PPG [6th]
    YDs per game. 378.4 [4rth]
    Rush Yds per game. 144.4 [2nd]
    Sacks allowed. 14 [T-6th fewest]

    For me scoring [and preventing scores] are weighted heavily. I don’t care if they run 60 times a game, pass it 60 times, operate a wishbone/rpo/statue of liberty offense.

    This ain’t the Olympics. No style points. Results are results.

    Grade: B+

    Nevertheless, Bears need to absolutely clean up the presnap penalties.

    We should also keep in mind the strength of schedule [SOS] as it’s going to get significantly harder down the stretch.

    Caleb Williams’ watch:

    He looks to be improving even if marginally. I’ll share a bunch of stats on him, but my take thus far –

    Caleb seems more comfortable in the pocket [esp with the opening scripted plays]but still needs to improve with ball placement, anticipation, and decision making.

    A reg posted Caleb in wins/losses, so here’s what I found.

    I was also curious what Caleb’s rating is vs Dallas/Cincy and what it is vs every other team. It’s important because both Dallas and Cincy are historically awful defensively.

    It’s like Trubisky facing the Bucs twice that season and could totally throw off reality in such a short sample size.

    vs CIN/DAL. Pass Rtg=131
    vs Others. Pass Rtg=81.5

    [the latter is worse than Fields, Penix, Tua, Rattler, Wentz, and Flacco…]

    One MAJOR difference between Caleb and his predecessors [Trubisky/Fields] is that I don’t turn-off the TV if the Bears need a final 2-minute drive. Caleb seems to thrive in the crunch, and that can’t be quantified by stats.

    Eli, Flacco and Hurts aren’t exactly first ballot HOFers, but they were money when it counted and now own SB rings; heck, if Grossman and Cutler were that clutch, they would own SB rings too. So arrow pointing up.

    I’ll post the D/Specials manana.

  • Welcome, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka!

    Welcome, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka!

    DE Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is now a Bear.

    Details.

    I honestly never even heard of Shoyinka, so I’m not going to pretend to be a Shoyinka expert. Here’s what cold hard stats and some scouting eyes input.

    I’m relieved Poles didn’t throw a 2nd for Jermaine Johnson. The ‘rumors’ were about him, but apparently the Jets stuck to demanding a 2nd, and Poles didn’t cave.

    Nevertheless, why didn’t Poles offer a 3rd, which would’ve been higher than an Eagles’ 3rd, for Jaelan Philips?

    It also appears that Poles’ #1 target was Jeffery Simmons; however Simmons had a shortlist Bears weren’t on. I don’t fancy the rejection, but I very much like that Poles coveted Simmons. Shows he’s active and eagle-eyed.

    All-in-all?


    Shoyinka is merely a Dennis Allen [6’5 260 + wingspan] body. A young former first rounder with upside who cost practically nothing.

    His stats are actually eerily comparable to Dayo Odeyingbo but at least he’s not costing the Bears $48M.

    This feeling is like being at a car dealership. You’ve done all your research, calculated your budget, cross-priced, and settled on buying a used Toyota Camry.

    You get to the lot and right next to your Camry is a spanking brand new cherry red convertible sport’s car with plush leather bucket seats, electric everything and glowing…

    You drive off with your beige Camry telling yourself, “I didn’t overspend…I didn’t overspend…”

  • Trade Deadline ’25

    Trade Deadline ’25


    Deadline: Tues, 4:00 PM ET
    Bears’ current cap space: $6.7M

    Poles’ 3rd RDers: Velus Jones Jr. (2022), Zacch Pickens (2023), and Kiran Amegadjie (2024)

    It’s no secret the Bears are hunting for Dline and CB, especially since Dayo Odeyingbo has torn his achilles [again]. For me, achilles is worse than an ACL/MCL, etc.

    It can sometimes take two seasons to regain the same explosion. Dayo isn’t getting any younger, and it’s not as if he was Lawrence Taylor to start with. Hard to envision this ending any better than the Claypool fiasco.

    There’s too many trade targets to name. So here’s some possible options.


    Bears EDGE trade targets:

    Trey Hendrickson (CIN)
    Danielle Hunter (HOU)
    Jermaine Johnson (NYJ)
    Kayvon Thibodeaux (NYG)
    Bradley Chubb (MIA)
    Josh Sweat (ARZ)

    No clue if J. Sweat even available, but he looked great on MNF

    DTs:

    [You really trust Jarrett or Billings? Dexter, like Shemar, can spell Booker/DomRob though I understand if Poles prioritizes DE]

    Jeffery Simmons (Titans) Supposedly had a short list he OKed. Washington was one of those teams, but now that Jayden Daniels is out, I wonder if he’d pencil in Chicago…

    Quinnen Williams (Jets)

    Mazi Smith (Cowboys)
    Dre’Mont Jones (Seahawks)[now a Raven]

    CBs:

    [CJ Gardner-Johnson did ok. Gordon eventually set to return. Maybe JJ later]

    Riq Woolen (Seahawks)
    Alontae Taylor (Saints)
    Cam Taylor-Britt (Bengals)
    Rasul Douglas (Dolphins)

    HBs:[No longer such a high-priority]

    Breece Hall (Jets)

    Devon Achane (Dolphins)

    Jerome Ford (Browns)