Packers Problems, Hyping Up the Fans, Shaheen’s Role, the Best Secondary, and Other Bullets

If you were looking forward to a snowy night game on Sunday, it’s probably time to re-calibrate your expectations. Granted, it looks like we’ll get snow in Chicago tomorrow and I suppose that could always linger into the next day … I just wouldn’t bet on it.

  • We’ll dive deeper into what Thursday’s Packers loss at Seattle means later, but just know that last night’s result was a game-changer. Looking back to our playoff odds post earlier in the week, Green Bay entered action with a 23 percent shot at making the postseason. But Thursday’s loss pushed their odds to 14 percent, via FiveThirtyEight (and that’s before the Bears play). Seattle is still hanging around (37 percent), but the Seahawks have the seventh best playoff odds of NFC teams – which would put them on the outside looking in.
  • As for the Bears, their postseason odds ticked up to 71 percent after Thursday’s result. Thanks Seattle, we never doubted you for a minute!
  • Head Coach Matt Nagy through down the gauntlet and I think the challenge will be accepted:
  • View this post on Instagram

    Challenge extended.

    A post shared by Chicago Bears (@chicagobears) on

  • The positive energy surrounding the Bears has built up to a moment like this one where a first-place team is out to defend its home turf and hold on to its spot at the top of the division. Bears fans have been aching to cheer for something worthwhile since Week 17 in 2013 … and this might be the team that could ultimately be worth it.
  • That being said, this opens up a new challenge for Nagy to conquer. Getting riled up fans at a raucous Soldier Field is one thing. Making sure your players harness the energy and emotion of the moment, while ensuring it doesn’t get too big for them, is another. Maintaining focus in the locker room and on the field will go a long way toward the Bears picking up a second win against a divisional foe.
  • Have you ever wondered what makes Andy Reid’s assistants so special? I figured I wasn’t the only one. Albert Breer of SI.com’s The MMQB talks to the assistants who have been promoted to head coach status elsewhere to get the scoop.
  • You’ll want to read all of the perspectives in Breer’s piece, but this snippet from the Bears’ head coach piqued my interest: “He leads by example, he’s not afraid to call you out if you screw up, he’ll hold you accountable and he’ll make sure there’s ownership, but he’ll protect you too. He’s going to take care of you, and you have to learn from it and not make the same mistake twice. That’s what you see from all these guys.” There goes that thing about not making the same mistake twice!
  • Smooth transition into how there is some Reid-related flavor on this list:
  • And some familiar names here, too:
  • Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton lists Mitch Trubisky as the Bears’ most improved player because … well, duh. The Bears young QB is having a nice year and has thrown multiple touchdowns in six of nine games. And when he’s not throwing, he’s used his mobility as a weapon, forcing teams to account for multiple avenues of attack.
  • We’re still waiting for Trubisky to get one of his favorite targets back into the mix as Adam Shaheen continues to work back from a preseason foot/ankle injury. Over at 670 The Score, Greg Gabriel highlights what the big-bodied tight end can bring to a group that has playmakers throughout the lineup. The timing of Shaheen’s injury was unfortunate on so many levels. Not only was he just starting to get a grasp of his new playbook, the Bears appeared to be clearly willing to use him in more than just red zone situations. Using Shaheen between the 20s (in addition to volume usage inside the red zone) was expected to create a dynamic the offense simply didn’t have last year. It will be a challenge to slide Shaheen into a big role right away, but there’s potential there for the second-year tight end to make his mark down the stretch.
  • If you’re a believer in the idea of steel sharpening steel, then maybe you think Shaheen practicing against the NFL’s best secondary will get him up to speed quicker. Pro Football Focus’ Ben Cooper explains why the Bears’ defensive backfield is in the running for the league’s best. Ranking first in passer rating allowed (73.8) and having the second most pass breakups + interceptions (34) just scratches the surface. Bryce Callahan (88.3) and Kyle Fuller (88.1) have two of the top four PFF coverage grades among cornerbacks, while Eddie Jackson’s 91.0 coverage grade is tops among safeties. Both Jackson and fellow safety Adrian Amos have run defense grades among the top-10 at PFF, too. This group is as well-rounded as it gets.
  • Maybe the secondary will team up and get Akiem Hicks something wonderful for his birthday. After all, pressure up front makes the life of a DB that much easier:
  • https://www.instagram.com/p/BqPxIM5noA3/

  • The Bears are rocking with their alternate orange uniforms this week, but this set of alternative alternates has me thinking about power rankings:
  • My rankings: 2, 3, 5, 4, 1. I can’t let the hilariously fun-bad alternates finish dead last. I just can’t.
  • The Bears and the other Chicago professional sports franchises are pitching in and donating another $1 million with the hope of decreasing violence in the city. This marks the second year of the Chicago Sports Alliance, which links the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, and Bulls and puts them in a position to make the city a better place. Here’s hoping this continues to be something that moves us (as a city) in the right direction.
  • written by

    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

    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...

    The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

    Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

    Latest News

    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...

    Braves vs. Phillies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves take on Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch Atlanta...

    Jonas Valančiūnas Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Bucks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    On Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, the New Orleans Pelicans play the Milwaukee Bucks, and Jonas Valančiūnas' 3-pointer prop for this clash requires just one trey.Jonas Valančiūnas' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the BucksJonas Valanciunas' over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

    Top 25 College Basketball Picks and Best Bets: March 28

    The Illinois Fighting Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones hit the court in one of four games on the college basketball slate on Thursday that include a ranked team.How to Bet on Top 25 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Top 25 Games for...

    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...

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Arizona Diamondbacks look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-226) in a season-opening matchup with the Colorado Rockies. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on ARID, live from Chase Field.Arizona's Zac Gallen...

    Mariners vs. Red Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-155) in a season-opening matchup with the Boston Red Sox. First pitch is on Thursday at 10:10 PM ET on NESN, live from T-Mobile Park.Luis Castillo...

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians begin their season as -156 favorites in a road tilt against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday at 10:07 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA.Cleveland's Shane Bieber gets the start, and he'll go against Oakland's Alex Wood.Guardians vs. Athletics...

    Damian Lillard Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    Will Damian Lillard make four 3-pointers when the Milwaukee Bucks face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Damian Lillard's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansDamian Lillard's over/under for...

    Brook Lopez Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Pelicans – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, Brook Lopez needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Milwaukee Bucks meet the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET.Brook Lopez's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the PelicansBrook Lopez's...

    more bears news