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

    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...

    I Don’t Hate Trading Up, Cairo Reaches Out, Jed Chimes In, and Other Bears Bullets

    Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...

    The Bears Had Eyes on Illini DT Johnny Newton Today

    Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....

    Latest News

    Nick Foligno Calls Out Blackhawks Teammates, Says Changes Are Needed

    The Blackhawks put the worst regular season of more than 70 games in the history of the franchise to bed on Thursday night in a manner that sums up the season fairly well. Connor Murphy was banged up and Nikita...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Mavs vs Clippers Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    It's a first-round matchup with a history of fireworks! The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers lock horns once again in the NBA Playoffs. This year marks the third time in five years these two teams meet in the opening...

    2024 NBA Playoffs Odds: Pacers vs Bucks Odds to Win Series, Spreads, Lines

    The NBA Playoffs are here, and the Eastern Conference first-round ignites with a clash of styles. The Indiana Pacers, boasting the league's top-scoring offense, bring their high-octane attack to Milwaukee to face the experienced Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's status adds further...

    Pirates vs. Red Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Quinn Priester will take the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) when they host starter Brayan Bello and the Boston Red Sox (10-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 6:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you...

    Padres vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday at 9:40 PM ET, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (11-10) face George Springer and the Toronto Blue Jays (10-9) at PETCO Park.The article below will give you everything you need to watch San Diego play...

    Giants vs. Diamondbacks: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Blake Snell will take the ball for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) when they host starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:15 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading...

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Mets: Live Stream or on TV

    Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the ball for the Los Angeles Dodgers (12-9) when they host starting pitcher Sean Manaea and the New York Mets (10-8) on Friday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.If you're planning on watching this game,...

    Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit Tigers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    On Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET, a three-game series featuring the Minnesota Twins and the visiting Detroit Tigers will begin.Twins vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Twins Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:10 PM ET Twins Starting Pitcher:...

    St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series featuring the St. Louis Cardinals and the visiting Milwaukee Brewers will begin on Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET.Cardinals vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Cardinals Time: Friday, April 19 at 8:15 PM ET Cardinals Starting...

    Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles Series April 19-21: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Baltimore Orioles will be on the road, opening a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET.Royals vs. Orioles Series Info Orioles @ Royals Time: Friday, April 19 at 7:40 PM ET...

    more bears news