In returning to Carbondale for the first time in I don’t know how long, I was greeted with a bunch of flashbacks. I’m sure more will come to me while I’m out at a wedding this afternoon and evening. In the meantime, let us power through some Bullets.
Put this on a motivational poster and stick it in every cubicle in America:
Khalil Mack on facing on Dalvin Cook and the #Vikings rushing attack: “You know it’s going to be a physical battle. Pop ya Advils and get ready. It’s going down.” #Bears
The Bears’ rush defense is stout. That unit has allowed the fifth fewest total rushing yards, the third lowest yards per carry average, and has yet to yield a ground score through three weeks. The Vikings’ run game is chewing up ground yards like it is nobody’s business. That group ranks second in total yards, third in yards per carry, has the scored the most rushing touchdowns, and has the third most rushing attempts. Strength against strength. Power against power. The winner of this head-to-head battle probably wins the game.
Be advised, Vikings: Do *NOT* try to tickle Khalil Mack this weekend:
The highlight of Halas Hall today …@JJStankevitz: “You’re a big basketball guy, does it still tickle you that LeBron James gives you shoutouts on Twitter?”
Khalil Mack: “Whatcha you say? Tickle? I’m a grown man.”
I don’t want to get lost in the details, but good luck pinning Mack to one position. Because while he is listed as a linebacker above, he also played some defensive end. And with the evolution of defense being what it is, it is difficult to put guys like Mack and Von Miller in a box like that and call it a day. In the end, I suppose that is what makes them great. They are playmakers. Put them at any position and they help your team win.
Injuries could impact both teams on Sunday. Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel has been ruled out. Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and right guard Kyle Long are considered to be game-time decisions. That’s an impact receiver, and two key cogs on the line of scrimmage on the injury report. And on the other side of the field, Minnesota could be without their starting guard Josh Kline. I am starting to feel like this is one of those games where the grittiest guys survive.
Get to know first-year Bears running back Mike Davis a little better after watching this installment of Inside the Bears/Big Guys in a Benz:
One of the challenges the Bears are facing with finding the running game has been the struggle find playing time and carries for everyone. There has also been issues in piecing together personnel groupings, as the challenge there is putting packages out on the field without tipping your hand as to what your offense is about to run. Davis hasn’t had much of an opportunity to show what he can do to this point, but the feeling out process is still happening.
Speaking of running backs, the one the Bears drafted in the seventh round last spring is back with the team:
#Bears roster move: We have signed RB Kerrith Whyte Jr. to the practice squad.
Kerrith Whyte Jr. still has speed to burn, but has a steep learning curve to tackle as a rookie running back who played at a smaller school. The practice squad seems like the right place for him.
Tony Romo was this close to not being on the call Sunday for Bears-Vikings:
Tony Romo missed the 2-under cut after following his 70 on Thursday with a 78 on Friday at the Safeway Open. He had planned to skip Sunday’s NFL broadcast in Chicago between the Bears and Vikings if he had made the cut.
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.
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...
The Bachelor's season-finale had a couple of jaw-dropping moments. Once the group chat catches up, it is going to be lit. What better way to start Bears Bullets than with breakfast anecdotes? I think I'm going to enjoy D'Andre Swift's...
NFL owners ratified a sweeping overhaul of the kickoff play on Tuesday, embracing a format inspired by the XFL following three days of deliberations at the league’s yearly gathering. Essentially, the new format relocates the bulk of both kicking and return teams...
The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...
Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...
The Texas Rangers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a home game against the Chicago Cubs (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will give the nod to Nathan Eovaldi versus the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers...
The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks take the court for one of two exciting matchups on the NBA slate today.Looking for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so take...
We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...
The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...
It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...
You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...
The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...
Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...