The first preseason game is a delicate balancing act between being geeked up about the return of football season, while also tempering expectations. After all, it’s preseason for the players, coaches, and us here at BN Bears.
To some, preseason football is a chore. But for many players, it is an opportunity to put out some tape — if not for the team you’re playing for now, then one who could scoop you up down the line.
Expectations are high for this Bears season, with the preseason playing to role of a brief tune-up before games of consequence take place. That leaves for some light, but attainable goals: Show basic functionality within the offense or defense, make a good impression by playing fundamentally sound and penalty-free football, and come out of it healthy.
Oh, and maybe make some kicks.
Game Info
Chicago Bears (2018: 12-4, 1st NFC North) vs. Carolina Panthers (2018: 7-9, t-2nd NFC South) – FOX-TV (Adam Amin, Jim Miller); WBBM-AM 780, FM 105.9 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Mark Grote)
Site: Soldier Field
Referee: Jonah Monroe
Odds: Bears -3 (via Bovada.lv)
Game Thread
Your game thread is down in the comments, so let’s have some good, clean (safe-for-work) fun. And hopefully, we can get some good times rolling in the preseason and keep them going into the regular season.
Coaches
Bears Matt Nagy (12-4) vs. Panthers Ron Rivera (71-56-1)
Projected Week 1 Starting Quarterbacks
Bears: Mitch Trubisky: 3,223 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 66.6 completion percentage, 95.4 quarterback rating (14 games in 2018)
versus
Panthers: Cam Newton: 3,395 yards, 24 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 67.9 completion percentage, 94.2 passer rating (14 games in 2018)
Bears First-String Offense
RB Tarik Cohen
WR Allen Robinson II, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller
TE Trey Burton
LT Charles Leno Jr
LG Cody Whitehair
C James Daniels
RG Kyle Long
RT Bobby Massie
Bears First-String Defense
DT Akiem Hicks
NT Eddie Goldman
DE Bilal Nichols
OLB Khalil Mack, Leonard Floyd
ILB Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith
CB Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara
S Eddie Jackson, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Bears Second-String Offense
QB Chase Daniel
RB Mike Davis
WR Cordarrelle Patterson, Javon Wims, Jordan Williams-Lambert
TE Adam Shaheen
LT Cornelius Lucas
LG Alex Bars
C Ted Larsen
RG Jordan McCray
RT Rashaad Coward
Bears Second-String Defense
DT Roy Robertson-Harris
NT Nick Williams
DE Jonathan Bullard
OLB Aaron Lynch, Isaiah Irving
ILB Nick Kwiatkoski, Joel Iyiegbuniwe
CB Buster Skrine, Kevin Toliver II
S Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston Carson
Bears Third-String Offense
QB Tyler Bray
RB David Montgomery
WR Riley Ridley, Marvin Hall, Emanuel Hall
TE Ben Braunecker
LT T.J. Clemmings
LG Joe Lowery
C Sam Mustipher
RG Jordan McCray
RT Marquez Tucker
Bears Third-String Defense
DT Jonathan Harris
NT Daryle Banfield
DE Abdullah Anderson
OLB Kylie Fitts, James Vaughters
ILB Josh Woods, Kevin Pierre-Louis
CB Duke Shelley, John Franklin III
S Jonathon Mincy, Sherrick McManis
Bears Special Teams
Place kicker: Eddy Piñeiro, Elliott Fry
Punter: Pat O’Donnell
Long snapper: Patrick Scales, John Wirtel
Return specialists: Cordarrelle Patterson, Anthony Miller, Marvin Hall, Tarik Cohen, Eddie Jackson
Other Bears Players of Note
Running backs: Ryan Nall, Kerrith Whyte Jr.
Wide receivers: Tanner Gentry, Taquan Mizzell Sr., Thomas Ives, Joe Walker
Tight ends: Bradley Sowell, Ian Bunting, Dax Raymond, Ellis Richardson, Jesper Horsted
Offensive line: Blake Blackmar
Defensive end: Jalen Dalton
Outside linebackers: Chuck Harris, Matt Betts
Inside linebacker: Jameer Thurman
Cornerbacks: Michael Joseph, Stephen Denmark, Clifton Duck
Safety: Doyin Jibowu
NEWSLETTER
