The college football playoff system is like a bizarro world version of Fight Club, where the first rule of the college football system is to make sure everyone is talking about the college football playoff system. We’re going to get quality games that will determine which school takes home the coveted national championship, it’s just that a deserving contender (or two … or three) is going to be left on the outside looking in.
Let’s deal in some optimism, shall we? Bears starting QB Mitch Trubisky did some light throwing prior to to today’s game. And while Chase Daniel is still expected to start, knowing that Trubisky was able to put in another throwing session is reason enough to feel better about his immediate future … after today’s game, of course.
But hey, I get it. A throwing session on game day is going to spark some thought in the back of your mind that No. 10 could return to his role as QB1 immediately. But it’s still not something I see happening today, even if I was at my most optimistic:
Speaking of optimistic perspectives, NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo tries to predict the future and his crystal ball sees something special for the Bears once the postseason picture shakes out:
Matt Nagy was already a hot candidate for the NFL’s Coach of the Year honors leading into the team’s Week 13 matchup against the Giants. But if the Bears were to snag the No. 2 seed in the NFC and the first-round bye that comes with it, that makes him a virtual lock, right? OK, so there is still a ton of time that will decide who earns that prestigious award and I’m looking forward to it being decided by some of the most exciting teams going. But as Connor Orr of SI.com points out, it’s a loaded field of candidates.
So if the Bears were to finish the season with the second best record in the NFC behind the coaching prowess of the league’s Coach of the Year winner, that means GM Ryan Pace should get his share of love for the NFL’s Executive of the Year award. NFL.com writer Chris Wesseling believes Pace leads a strong group of front office head honchos in the Executive of the Year race. To this point, it looks like Pace hired the right coach, made the correct moves on draft weekend, and added the ideal mix of free agents to turn a team that had finished in the NFC North’s basement for the last four years. Even Pace’s toughest critics have to give credit where it’s due. Because even if you acknowledge the short-comings early in his stint as Bears GM, that things have turned around this season should be viewed as a sign that he has learned from past mistakes.
This has me hyped:
As would the idea of starting Tarik Cohen on my fantasy team this week:
I don’t have Cohen in any fantasy leagues because Bears fans were really buying into him before I could draft him in a reasonable spot. Still, the Yahoo! league I’m in notes that the Giants have allowed the 11th most fantasy points to the running back position this season. New York allowed three receiving touchdowns to running backs in the first five games and has allowed at least two touchdowns to backs three times. It would be nice for both of the Bears’ top backs to break out, especially on a day when QB2 is getting the call again.
Keep in mind that the elements could play a factor in Sunday’s game:
Ryan Wooden of BetChicago.com re-visits the skepticism that came with the Bears signing Chase Daniel, a move that looks quite savvy with Trubisky sidelined. Because even though the Bears offense wasn’t as explosive as it had been in previous games, Daniel’s veteran leadership and knowledge of the offense proved to be valuable enough to lead the Bears to a road win against a division opponent. You know how many road wins against divisional foes Aaron Rodgers has at this point of the year? Zero. Take that for data.
The #MyCauseMyCleats movement is at the intersection of creativity, awesome fashion, and a greater awareness for charitable causes. This Taylor Gabriel profile will get you right in the feels:
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.
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