Waiting All Day For Sunday Night and Other Bullets

Nov 18, 2018

You know the Bears are playing in an important game when people you had no idea had any interest in football ask you what you’re doing for said game.

This video narrated by linebacker Danny Trevathan has ready to run through a wall:

Tonight… obsession meets opportunity.#DaBears pic.twitter.com/PDUfQTYZxG

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 18, 2018

“You attack those opportunities as a team, as a city, as a family.” Oh, man. Let’s get this game on right damn now!

This is the type of matchup Trevathan has been thirsting for since he arrived in Chicago. The Bears struggled to put competitive teams on the field during Trevathan’s first two years with the team. And if you tack on the fact that he missed 11 games in the first two years, you can see why Trevathan would be primed for primetime. Trevathan hasn’t played in a high-stakes game since Super Bowl 50, so I’m pumped up for him.

Narratives surrounding the teams might be different, so you might be surprised how similar the Bears and Vikings are entering this matchup. Beyond the nearly identical records, both teams rank in the top half in a bunch of important statistical categories and oftentimes are near each other in the rankings. Take offensive yards per game (Vikings 12th, Bears 16th), defensive yards allowed per game (Bears 4th, Vikings 5th), yards per rushing attempt (Bears 17th, Vikings 19th), scoring defense (Bears 4th, Vikings 11th), and points per game (Bears 5th, Vikings 15th). And while the Vikings have an edge in passing yards per game (Vikings 8th, Bears 20th), the Bears have the better showing in yards per attempt (Bears 9th, Vikings 18th).

So yeah, the Vikings are the defending NFC North champions and participated in the NFC title game a year ago. That’s nice and all, but the Vikings’ success in 2017 has no bearing on the outcome of a game taking place later tonight. Zero. Zilch. None. Nada. I suppose the only advantage is that Minnesota has players and coaches who were in a big-game environment as recently as 11 months ago. Experience matters … unless it doesn’t.

Also, last year’s Bears didn’t have this year’s Mitch Trubisky:

https://twitter.com/StaceyDales/status/1064177627529912321

I love roundtable discussions about football:

Vikings vs. Bears: Can Chicago take down the team that made it to the NFC Title game last season? pic.twitter.com/WSLU0vyXcL

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) November 18, 2018

I know it’s been a while, but I still haven’t totally embraced Dave Wannstedt, the football analyst, when I so vividly remember Dave Wannstedt, the football coach who led some pretty disappointing Bears teams.

Vegas seems to think these teams are evenly matched. I found it worth noting that – including tonight’s contest – Minnesota will have been an underdog in four games this year. The Vikings are 1-2 as an underdog, but their win came on the road against the Eagles. On the other side of the coin, Chicago has been favored in eight of 10 games this season and are 5-2 when installed as the Vegas favorite entering tonight.

I tend to be wary of expert pickers and the likes who do it for publications, but the folks who have backed the Bears this year have been more successful than not. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

There has been some buzz around the Bears not having beaten anyone this year, which is why some are leaning toward picking the Vikings. I suppose there are valid reasons to choose Minnesota to be victorious, but I’m not sure the Bears’ opponents record has anything to do with it. The teams Chicago has defeated are a combined 19-38. As for the Vikings, the teams they have beaten are 14-33. So what was the point of this exercise again? You know what, pretend anyone even brought it up.

So what are the keys to victory? Ex-NFL executive Charley Casserly breaks it down:

Huge NFC North clash this Sunday! #MINvsCHI

What are the 🔑🔑🔑 to victory for the @Vikings?

One thing is for sure: they'll have to slow down that Bears front seven…

(via @CharleyCasserly)#UpToTheMinute https://t.co/J4gI6tI1AJ

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) November 17, 2018

Bears Radio play-by-play voice Jeff Joniak chimes in with what he thinks will be the most important factors. The team’s official website offers up some players to watch who could be game-breakers. NBC Sports Chicago’s JJ Stankevitz name-drops four players on the rise who could spark a win. There are so many factors and angles to keep an eye on tonight, which essentially confirms why this game was flexed into primetime in the first place.

This is a neat factoid:

A Vikings QB hasn’t won their first start at Soldier Field as a member of the team since Tarvaris Jackson in 2007. Kirk Cousins will have a chance to make history tonight in a huge battle vs. the Bears for first place in the NFC North.
— J Reid (@JReidNFL) November 18, 2018

Because it’s a nationally televised audience, we’re probably going to get some big-picture themes every casual football fan is familiar with. So we’ll probably hear some thoughts on the Khalil Mack trade. As if we could ever get enough of that!

Speaking of trades, I found myself digging this read from SI.com’s Chris Mannix, who catches up with former Nets GM Billy King, who you might remember as the executive who pulled the strings on a trade that altered the fate of two franchises. King pulled the trigger on a deal that landed Brooklyn Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Jason Terry for a franchise that was hungry to take media spotlight from the Knicks and create its own legacy as title contenders. Instead, the deal crippled the franchise because the Nets sent first-round picks in 2014, 2016, and 2018, and the option to swap picks in 2017. As a neutral observer, re-visiting this was a treat. But if you happen to be a Nets fan, you’ll probably want to skip out on this one.

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

Joe alt notre dame bears offensive line target NFL Draft

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Offensive Linemen

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Stadium Stuff, Rome and Caleb, New Bears Hires, and Other Bears Bullets

The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away. Soon, we'll get to hear those magic words: "The Chicago Bears are on the clock." And they'll mean something! ICYMI: The Bears, who are set to have a press conference at...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Ian Cunningham is Getting an Extension From the Bears

Ian Cunningham is set to stick around for a little while longer. The Chicago Bears assistant general manager is getting some years tacked on to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. No details on how many more years are...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

Bears GM Ryan Poles Isn’t Necessarily Looking to Trade For More Draft Picks

Ryan Poles has done well in creating a bevy of picks in each of his first two NFL Draft classes as Chicago Bears general manager. And even though the Bears have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft,...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: 4.0

We’re just over 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and all I can say is finally. Finally, we’re done with the speculation. I’ll never forget the Bears Twitter Civil War of 2024 centered around the Caleb Williams vs. Justin Fields...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

There is a Growing Consensus on How Bears Will Use the No. 9 Pick

As part of his latest NFL Draft notebook, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones shares what he has heard about the Chicago Bears plan on doing with the No. 9 pick. "Sources around the league seem to believe the Chicago...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Bears 2024 NFL Draft Rome Odunze Bears 7-Round Mock Draft

Chicago Bears

Things You Love to See: Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams are Already Getting Along

Caleb Williams will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears next season. We've known that for some time, and it will become official on Thursday. The only question that remains is who's joining him? There's a strong chance that...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 23, 2024

marvin harrison jr bears 2024 NFL draft target

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Bears

What Happened to Bears’ Arlington Move? Watch Out For Cards, New and Texans Unis, and Other Bears Bullets

This afternoon's forecast in Chicago calls for afternoon rainstorms, which means I need to tweak my schedule to get my regularly scheduled walk in without getting soaked. Wish me luck! The Chicago Bears are reportedly set to announce lakefront stadium...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 23, 2024

Picks

Blue Jays vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Expect a display of power when Daulton Varsho (6 HR) and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) take on Salvador Perez (6 HR) and the Kansas City Royals (14-10) at Kauffman Stadium at 7:40 PM ET live on BSKC. Varsho and...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Chicago White Sox (3-20) hope to avoid their sixth straight defeat when they visit the Minnesota Twins (9-13) Wednesday at 7:40 PM ET on BSN. The Twins are listed as -199 favorites, while the White Sox are +167 underdogs...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Cubs vs. Astros Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Chicago Cubs (14-9) are favored on the moneyline (-115) in Wednesday's contest against the Houston Astros (7-17). First pitch is at 7:40 PM ET on SCHN. The Astros, with +159 odds, are favored against the spread (1.5).Jameson Taillon will...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Rangers vs. Mariners Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Seattle Mariners (12-11) serve as underdogs on the moneyline (+102) in Wednesday's contest against the Texas Rangers (12-12). First pitch is at 8:05 PM ET on BSSW. The Mariners are favored against the spread in this one (1.5) with...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Jaylen Brown Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Heat – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Jaylen Brown must make three 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Boston Celtics play the Miami Heat on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Jaylen Brown's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Jayson Tatum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Heat – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Jayson Tatum must make three 3-pointers to beat his prop when the Boston Celtics play the Miami Heat on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs.Jayson Tatum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Derrick White Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Heat – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Boston Celtics play the Miami Heat on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Celtics' Derrick White makes three 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Derrick White's Three-Pointer Prop...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Bam Adebayo Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

At 7:00 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Miami Heat versus the Boston Celtics -- with Bam Adebayo needing to score only once from beyond the arc to...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Duncan Robinson Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – NBA Playoffs Game 2, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The Miami Heat meet the Boston Celtics at 7:00 PM ET on Wednesday, in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this matchup requires two triples from Duncan Robinson.Duncan...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 24

The Colorado Rockies (6-18) play the San Diego Padres (13-13) at home in Denver on Wednesday. The game starts at 8:40 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Padres will send Matt Waldron (0-2) to the mound, while...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Waiting All Day For Sunday Night and Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular