Your Monday Night Football Game Thread (Now with Alshon GIF)

Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico
Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico

Here’s everything you should know about tonight’s game. (Well, I mean, you probably need some background knowledge in the sport of football, among other things, but I can only do so much.) I’ll be Tweeting heavily throughout; if you’d like to join in, you can follow me @BearsBN. Feel free to say hi. I’ll also be monitoring the comments, if you’d like to talk about the game here, you should feel free to do so!

Who: Cowboys (7-5) at Bears (6-6)

When: Coverage starts at 8:30 on ESPN; Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden (pictured) will have the call.

Where: Soldier Field, Chicago; it’s a dry forecast, but temperatures are expected to be in the teens with wind chills near (possibly below) zero.

Notes:

  • Whichever team wins moves into a tie for first in their respective division; a loss for Chicago would be more damaging, due to their lack of a tiebreaker over Detroit. (Dallas currently retains an outside shot at a wild card berth as well, although a loss tonight would very much jeopardize that path.)
  • Dallas is just 2-4 on the road this season, while the Bears are 4-2 at home.
  • The teams have met four times since 2004, splitting those games, but the Bears have won the previous two meetings, including  a win in Dallas on Monday Night Football last season.
  • The Bears will retire Mike Ditka’s iconic #89 jersey at halftime. How could they lose with Coach Ditka in attendance?
  • Apparently Jay Ratliff will be under “no limitations” tonight, which makes sense; there’s only four games left, and all are basically must-win. No point being overly protective now.
  • Bear Down!

    GIF via SBNation (@SBNationgif)
    GIF via SBNation (@SBNationgif)

    Update: Holy…man. Alshon may have just topped his catch from last week with this crazy play to give the Bears a 24-14 halftime lead.

     

    written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more bears news

    Sounds Like Caleb Williams and the Bears Are Already Hashing Out His Rookie Deal

    The latest from NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero is QB-heavy. And if you're a fan of the Chicago Bears, you will want the section dedicated to Caleb Williams. There is all sorts of good stuff about his play style, background,...

    QB Friendly Bears, New Lions Threads, Tottenham-bound, and Other Bears Bullets

    I'll say this about Taylor Swift: Surprise dropping a double album (with the second installment dropping at 1 a.m. CT) prepared me for how to best piece together Bears content at an unholy hour next week while simultaneously trying to...

    What About Byron Murphy II as a Bears Target With the No. 9 Pick?

    I'm starting to wonder if maybe University of Texas star Byron Murphy II fits the bill as a Chicago Bears draft target.. In his latest at NBC Sports Chicago, Bears insider Josh Schrock wonders if Chicago's football team could be...

    One Pundit Thinks Trading Up to Draft Joe Alt Makes Sense For the Bears

    The idea of the Chicago Bears drafting a butt-kicking offensive tackle is something that continues to pop up. Perhaps Notre Dame's Joe Alt is something on the team's radar. NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah opines Alt could be someone...

    Chicago Bears 3-Round Mock Draft: Exploring Potential Picks To Surround Caleb Williams

    The winds of change are howling through Halas Hall. After years (decades) of searching, the Chicago Bears appear set to finally land their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the top overall pick. This signals a new era for the Bears, but the...

    Draft Day is Coming, NFC North QB Prospect Watch, Crews, Warren, and Other Bears Bullets

    The Chicago Cubs finished a winning road trip with a series win against the defending NL champs. Taylor Swift has a new album that drops at 11 p.m. CT. And the Chicago Bears will usher in a new quarterback era...

    2024 NFL Mock Draft: How Will Quarterback Chaos Unfold In First Round?

    Only one week remains until the biggest event of the NFL offseason — the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams is going first overall unless something totally unexpected happens. But outside of that, there are still so many questions left to...

    Chicago Bears Mock Draft Trade Proposals Seem to Target One Particular Position

    I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...

    Sounds Like the Bears Will Consider Taking Brock Bowers If They Stay at No. 9

    For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...

    Bears Hire Ted Crews as Special Advisor to President Kevin Warren

    The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Astros vs. Nationals: Live Stream or on TV

    The Houston Astros (6-14), led by Jose Altuve, visit C.J. Abrams and the Washington Nationals (8-10) at 4:05 PM ET on Saturday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Houston square off...

    Phillies vs. White Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Saturday, Trea Turner and the Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) begin a series versus Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-15) at Citizens Bank Park, with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything...

    How to Watch Pirates vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    On Saturday, Mitch Keller will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) against Kutter Crawford and the Boston Red Sox (10-10), with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM ET at PNC Park.If you're intending to watch this game, keep...

    Timberwolves vs. Suns Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Phoenix Suns are slight 1.5-point underdogs in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Saturday, tipping off at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN. The matchup has an over/under...

    Knicks vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers are slight 3-point underdogs in Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, beginning at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN. The over/under is set...

    Cavaliers vs. Magic Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 1 – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic take the court to begin the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Cavaliers are favored by 4.5 points in the contest, which will be broadcast on ESPN at 1:00 PM ET. The...

    Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

    In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

    Pre-Gamin’: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat (6:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

    The Bulls and Heat go at it for the last spot in the NBA Playoffs. Let's get it. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1781299357574213738 Game Info Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls – 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Chicago Bulls Coby White...

    Scottie Pippen’s Youngest Son Will Play at Michigan

    A familiar last name will be in the Big Ten next season. Scottie Pippen's kid, Justin, has committed to the University of Michigan, according to Krysten Peek of Yahoo Sports. The youngest son of the Chicago Bulls legend, Pippen started...

    Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

    With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

    more bears news