Kicking Upside, Defensive Identity, Offensive Growth, and Other Bullets

Jul 26, 2018

Back home after a few days away in Vegas. Nice to press the reset button, get a few good nights of sleep in a hotel bed, and prepare for the football season that is on the horizon.

Fun little wagering nugget I stumbled across this week: The Bears are the second-biggest moneyline underdog in Week 1. A $100 bet on the moneyline against the Packers (on the road) would pay $330. Only the Buccaneers (+350) going up against the Saints are a bigger underdog. If you believe there is value in the sneak attack, it’s out there for you.

Also, Caesar’s Palace had some interesting odds on fun prop bets. Mitch Trubisky was 60/1 to lead the league in passing, Jordan Howard was 12/1 to lead all rushers in ground yards, and Allen Robinson was 50/1 to pick up the most receiving yards. Howard leading the NFL is probably the most realistic of the bunch. He finished behind Ezekiel Elliott just two years ago, while his new offense produced the league’s leading rusher last season. Just some thoughts on some things that could further spice up a season that already has a fair share of worthwhile storylines to follow.

I did not seek out any Kevin White futures during my recent getaway, but Larry Mayer discusses how the 2015 first round pick has performed early in camp. White appears to be in good shape and good spirits, so it should probably come as no surprise that he is also looking good on the practice field. Sure, White still has a long way to go before he can prove it on the field in a game of consequence. But that he’s working his way toward that goal without any early setbacks is a good thing.

If Trubisky, Howard, and Robinson flirt with being among the league leaders among their respective positions, the Bears are going to be in position to score a ton of points – even if they don’t score touchdowns. That’s because Cody Parkey represents an upgrade from Connor Barth. Robert Zeglinski of The Rock River Times writes about the Bears’ new kicker who is getting to blaze his own path in Chicago. Parkey has been a solid kicker who has succeeded in some low-profile situations and arrives in Chicago after a successful season in Miami and just a few years removed from making a good impression on Special Teams Coordinator Chris Tabor, when the two were together in Cleveland.

John Mullin of NBC Sports Chicago offers up a predictable story with an unforeseen twist. Mullin writes about the Bears’ defense (predictably) being ahead of the offense right now, but simultaneously notes that the offense is already challenging their defensive counterparts. A top-10 defense that returns a vast majority of its starters should be a step ahead of an offense led by a new head coach, coordinator, and for all intents and purposes, a new quarterback. Trubisky will certainly struggle, but he is talented enough (as are some of the new pieces around him) to make some insane plays.

Over at 247Sports, Zack Pearson writes about Eddie Jackson discussing the Bears defense creating its own identity. It would definitely be neat to see the 2018 team channel some of the great defenses that anchored Bears teams in the past, but I’d be more curious to see this group forge its own way into greatness. It won’t be easy, especially not with that schedule of tough-as-nails quarterbacks. But the Bears should be putting positive thoughts into the wild and try to speak excellence into existence (you know, on top of the hard work and what not).

Deon Bush is angling to make a bigger impact as a defender, writes Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune. Bush is one of the Bears with a clean slate who probably takes a backseat to others in a similar situation because of where he is on the depth chart right now. The Bears are loaded at safety, so Bush isn’t top of mind as of right now. And it’s not as if he’s done much to earn premier placement in the minds of fans. Still, Bush is a talented former fourth-round pick who simply hasn’t had much of an opportunity to make a name for himself. He didn’t start at all in 2017 after starting six of the 11 games he appeared in as a rookie in 2016. On the surface, this looks like a situation where Bush needs to make some big plays on special teams to catch someone’s eye.

written by

Luis C. Medina

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Chicago Bears

Ryan Poles Had the Best Quote From Draft Night

I'ma let Jim Harbaugh finish, but Ryan Poles had the best quote from Night 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles was beaming last night. Could you blame him? Poles just pulled off the ideal...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Bears

WATCH: The Moment Caleb Williams Found Out He Was Going to the Chicago Bears

Unless you were off the grid last night, then you already know that we are officially in our Caleb Williams era. Even if you were off the grid last night, anyone with even the smallest amount of sense knew this...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Bears

It’s a Calebration! Rome and Caleb’s Meet-Cute, NFL Draft Thoughts, and Other Bears Bullets

There have been several moments this morning where I've pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. It turns out last night wasn't a dream. The Chicago Bears are so, so, sooooo back. Here it is. The moment Caleb Williams...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Bears

Diagnosing the NFL Draft: Michael Penix in ATL, Bills Help KC, Raiders Surprise & Other Random Draft Thoughts

Last night's Round 1 of the NFL Draft started out fairly chalky. That was until we got to 8th overall. The Falcons stunned the world and took a quarterback. The Bills helped out their biggest AFC nemesis. The Raiders drafted...

Matt Rooney

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams Already Set His First Record In A Bears Uniform

Well, that didn't take very long! Less than 24 hours after being drafted by the Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams is already setting records. According to Adam Schefter, Caleb Williams broke the Fanatics draft-night merchandise record for any draft pick in...

Matt Rooney

Apr 26, 2024

Chicago Bears

Jim Harbaugh Just Had The Quote Of Draft Night

See. It's stuff like this that makes me sad Jim Harbaugh isn't the head coach in Chicago. We're missing out on press conference GOLD. Though, if Harbaugh is calling the shots then we might not be talking about Rome Odunze...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

2024 NFL Draft Tracker: Live Updates, Every Pick, Instant Analysis, More

We've made it. The NFL Draft is finally here. If you're watching the NFL Draft tonight, you can use this 2024 NFL Draft Tracker to keep up with every pick in the first round, which will include instant reaction and...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 25, 2024

potential bears NFL Draft target Texas wr Xavier worthy

Chicago Bears

Xavier Worthy Drafted By Chiefs After Trade Up With The Bills?!

The Kansas City Chiefs made a move up in the first round from 32nd overall to 28th overall. While it's not necessarily shocking to see the Chiefs move up, seeing the Bills be their trade partner is a little bit...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions Trade Up & Draft Terrion Arnold With 24th Overall Pick

The Detroit Lions became the second NFC North team to move up in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft - much to the pleasure of the hometown fans in attendance in Detroit. They moved up from 29th overall to...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

WATCH: Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze Become Instant Friends

The Caleb Williams-Rome Odunze tandem is going to be must-see TV when the Chicago Bears take the field this season. However, Week 1 of the NFL season isn't for another 136 days (give or take). This is where I remind...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pacers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

Brook Lopez must make two 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Milwaukee Bucks face the Indiana Pacers on Friday at 5:30 PM ET, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Karl-Anthony Towns Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Suns – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

On Friday at 10:30 PM ET, the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and Karl-Anthony Towns' 3-pointer prop for this matchup requires two treys.Karl-Anthony Towns' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Kevin Durant Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Kevin Durant needs to make three from downtown on Friday, when his Phoenix Suns play the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Kevin...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Anthony Edwards Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Suns – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Anthony Edwards must make three from downtown on Friday, when his Minnesota Timberwolves face the Phoenix Suns in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET.Anthony Edwards'...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Devin Booker Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

Devin Booker needs to make three 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Phoenix Suns meet the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at 10:30 PM ET, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Devin Booker's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Giants vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 26, 2024

The San Francisco Giants (12-14) host the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-13) on Friday to begin a three-game series, with the first pitch at 10:15 PM ET from Oracle Park. The Giants are listed as -143 favorites, while the underdog Pirates have...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Diamondbacks vs. Mariners Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 26, 2024

The Seattle Mariners (13-12) enter Friday's matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks (12-14) following their 2-1 series victory over the Rangers. The Diamondbacks, coming off of a series loss against the Cardinals, are listed as -130 favorites for Game 1. The...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Angels vs. Twins Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 26, 2024

The Los Angeles Angels (10-15) and Minnesota Twins (11-13) meet Friday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET on BSN. The Angels are -115 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Twins are favored against...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Padres Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, April 26, 2024

Coming off of a 2-2 series split with the Reds, the Philadelphia Phillies (16-10) are -114 favorites to pick up the win in Game 1 of a three-game series against the San Diego Padres (14-14). The series begins at PETCO...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Picks

James Harden Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Friday, April 26, 2024

James Harden must make three 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Los Angeles Clippers meet the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at 8:00 PM ET, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.James Harden's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

Data Skrive

Apr 26, 2024

Kicking Upside, Defensive Identity, Offensive Growth, and Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular