The Bears Get Flexed and Other Bullets

BearWave

Good morning! I’m writing this in fear of my upcoming morning commute, which is projected to occur in the midst of a snowstorm. In my experience, there are two kinds of snow drivers (besides me): those who drive way, way too fast for the conditions, thereby endangering countless lives, and those who drive way, way too slowly, apparently thinking that they’ll lose all control at any speed above 11 MPH. As if Ford and Goodyear hadn’t considered the possibility of a slightly slick surface under a half-inch of snow when they designed their products. Frankly, I prefer the former. I hate long commutes.

  • The Bears are 4-0 in prime-time games this season, and they’ll have a chance to move to 5-0 in two weeks when they travel to Philadelphia. The NFL announced yesterday that the Bears-Eagles game will be flexed to Sunday Night Football, replacing the previously scheduled Ravens-Patriots contest. Considering the potential playoff implications, as well as the (probably more important) market sizes of the teams involved (Chicago and Philadelphia are the third and fourth largest TV markets, respectively), the move makes a certain amount of sense, despite the NFL’s longstanding tradition of putting Tom Brady on national television as often as possible.
  • Ravens-Pats is still an attractive game, though, and it will now air in the late afternoon window on CBS, which has the national double-header that day. Part of me wonders if a possible appeasement of CBS might be a factor, as the NFL had leaned on CBS to give up the first meeting between Kansas City and Denver in Week 9, despite CBS having originally protected it from being flexed to NBC. This move would give CBS a much better national window game, as the previously scheduled Pittsburgh-Green Bay contest doesn’t seem nearly as appealing as it probably did when the schedule was made. There’s a complex machination involved with flex scheduling; each network gets to protect a game (in theory), and there was a great article explaining it all, and giving great behind the scenes detail, that I couldn’t find despite copious searching. If you know what I’m referencing, feel free to share. The rules will only get more complex next year, when a new flexing system might mean some AFC games on FOX, and some NFC games on CBS.
  • Pro Football Talk speculates that the Bears or Eagles might be flexed again in Week 17, since they could both very well be playing for a playoff spot; I’d think the Eagles have a much better shot at that one, since they’re slated to face the Cowboys, and that game could be a direct play-in game. The Bears and Packers might be as well, of course, in a scenario I touched on yesterday, but if the Bears are competing with Detroit, I think it’s much less likely that they get flexed, and much more likely that both the Bears and Lions kick at the same time. That prevents any appearances of cheating; not that I would expect the Packers to lay down, but what if (for example) Aaron Rodgers is a game-time decision and the Lions lose an early game? That means a Bears win on Sunday Night Football gets them into the playoffs. What if the Packers then decide to sit Rodgers? Even though all of those things would probably be happening independently of each other, I doubt the NFL wants to leave themselves open to conspiracy theorists.
  • No updates yet on the status of Jay Cutler’s recovery, but SI’s Doug Farrar had a rundown of Marc Trestman’s post-game assurances that Cutler will be the Bears starter when he returns from injury. He includes Brandon Marshall’s statements of support for Cutler, and ESPNChicago has some quotes from McCown in a similar vein. (Personally I think Cutler should start, but I do appreciate the class that McCown has displayed, both on and off the field.)
  • Also, I don’t want to pick on Doug too much, but in that piece he somehow comes up with this line: “Cutler is in the last year of his contract, and general manager Phil Emery has said that he will not place the franchise tag on the eight-year veteran.” That’s simply not what Phil Emery said (in his online chat from last week) at all. He was alluding to the salary cap burden that comes along with having a quarterback play on a one-year deal under the tag. It is a very, very large jump to “We will not be tagging Jay Cutler” and in fact, Emery goes a long way to ensure that he doesn’t expressly commit to anything, contract-wise. But it’s fun how these things get misconstrued so easily, isn’t it?
  • With all of the Eagles talk at the beginning, it might be easy to overlook the Bears trip to Cleveland next Sunday. If you were hoping the Bears would get to face our old friend Caleb Hanie, you’re out of luck; Cleveland released Hanie Tuesday after just one week on the roster. Instead, the Browns will likely turn to our other old friend Jason Campbell, who actually played very well in Cleveland’s one-point loss to New England on Sunday.
  • Grantland’s Bill Barnwell had much nicer things to say about Marc Trestman this week in his Thank You for Not Coaching column; not kicking a field goal on second down helps, I guess. He named Trestman’s decision to go for two late in the third quarter as the third-best coaching decision of the week, and he also noted that in his opinion, Trestman is “unquestionably” the best NFL coach in terms of knowing when to go for two throughout the game. He cites the Bears near-comeback against Detroit in Week 4 as a prime example. Dallas coach Jason Garrett’s third quarter decision to punt on 4th and 4 from the Bears 41, while trailing by 13, was his selection for the third-worst. Barnwell always does solid work analyzing coaching decisions and their effects, and aside from last week, he’s been unwavering in his praise of Trestman’s game management this year. Pretty cool. (Note: he was not such fan of Lovie Smith; I know that shocks you.)
  • 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

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    Latest News

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

    Suns vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The matchup begins at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The point total is set...

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22) are 6.5-point underdogs when they host the Denver Nuggets (51-22) in a battle between the top two teams in the Western at Ball Arena on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET on ALT. The...

    Knicks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The New York Knicks (44-28) will try to continue a three-game win streak when they visit the San Antonio Spurs (17-56) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at AT&T Center as big, 10-point favorites. The game airs at 8:00 PM ET...

    Kings vs. Mavericks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Dallas Mavericks (43-29) will look to Luka Doncic (first in the league scoring 33.9 points per game) when they try to beat De'Aaron Fox (eighth in the NBA with 26.5 PPG) and the Sacramento Kings (42-30) on Friday, March...

    How to Watch Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    On Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks (1-0) take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies (0-1), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Cleveland Guardians (1-0), led by Jose Ramirez, visit Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Cleveland-Oakland matchup below.When is Guardians vs. Athletics and when does...

    more bears news