NEWSLETTER
That pint of Ben and Jerry’s “The Tonight Dough” got me through last night, and into a better place this morning, as I groveled over a trade I don’t like. My only regret is that I didn’t get two pints.
• J.J. Watt is a real one. And his comments and perspective really speak to me. You don’t have to be a Texans fan to feel this:
J.J. Watt was asked about regrouping and finishing the season and … I'll let him take it from here. 10,000% pure unfiltered truth. pic.twitter.com/IOtsy9ELYr
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) December 27, 2020
• We saw a changing of the guard on Monday Night Football last night with the Bills trouncing the Patriots. The new AFC East champs left Bill Belichick’s squad in their dust. And more than that, provided a look at how far New England has to go in order to get back to where it was during the Tom Brady Era. On top of all that, it should have given Bears fans perspective as to how their favorite team can get to the top.
• No, I’m not going to take up a ton of space bemoaning how Josh Allen took the leap we hoped Mitchell Trubisky would take. Instead, I’d rather focus on how the pieces of that Bills team should inspire GM Ryan Pace (or whomever ultimately builds the next great Bears team) how to put together that roster puzzle. All of these pieces play off of each other. Allen’s big arm and mobility is at the heart of the scheme. As is Stefon Diggs’ down-field play-making ability. The tandem backfield of Zack Moss and Devin Singletary provides balance. Defensively, the Bills are sound at all three levels. This is a team that is built with depth and layers. I’m intrigued to see how it progresses through the postseason.
• Speaking of layers, there’s a lot that I love about this piece from The Athletic’s Adam Jahns:
What the numbers say about …
* Offensive production with No. 10
* The thriving run game
* The two areas of serious concern for the #Bears defense.And more.
We compared the stats from Weeks 1-11 to Weeks 12-16. The differences are notable.
https://t.co/ucOnAUnEWL— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) December 29, 2020
• There are obvious caveats regarding the Bears’ level of competition in recent weeks. But even with that being taken into consideration, how can you not love what the offensive line is doing at the point of attack? The lineup changes seem to have paid off. At minimum, the Bears have found usable depth on the line. Perhaps they’ve found some bridge starters until better long-term options arrive. In either case, the insertion of Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars into the lineup has been far more productive than the line’s previous iteration.
• The same can be for David Montgomery. Seeing an increase in volume (18.8 carries) and efficiency (5.63 yards/carry) has led to Montgomery rushing for 529 yards and 6 touchdowns in 5 games after running for 472 yards on 3.6 yards/attempt in Weeks 1-11. Let Monty cook!
• If you’re a fan who feels like watching Mitchell Trubisky is giving you flashbacks to 2018, then you’re probably not alone. Because while I’m not too keen on ESPN’s QBR metric, I find it interesting that Trubisky’s QBR for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars was an 81.2. As Jahns points out, Trubisky had six games with a QBR of 83 or better in 2018. The QBR number is meant to be a catch-all quarterback stat that measures what a signal caller does with his arms and legs, as opposed to the traditional quarterback/passer ratings which doesn’t factor in quarterback runs or game situation. If Trubisky has another QBR in the 80s, I’ll feel good about the Bears’ chances to win.
• Keeping eyes on that Rams-Cardinals showdown for obvious reasons:
John Wolford would be first QB to make his first start for a team in Week 17 with a playoff berth on the line since Kyle Orton for the 2013 Cowboys, per @EpKap. https://t.co/pMZx6VdmCI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2020
You’re going to like John Wolford.
Listen to my partner @nateburleson after this TD in 2019. @minakimes @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/wB6rx1l0EX
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 29, 2020
McVay: There's a possibility RB Cam Akers will be available this Sunday.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2020
• The Bears aren’t mentioned here. But then again, how can you even look that far into the future knowing how much things could change based on the result of Sunday’s game against the Packers:
Dwayne Haskins' short-lived tenure playing for his hometown team has come to an end.
Where could the former first-round pick join next? Our staff discuss the best options.https://t.co/SBzQeu1EkD
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) December 28, 2020
• Ya gotta love Darnell Mooney:
We really take no days off around here.@Darnell_M1 #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/fyLh1m7wLj
— Dr. Michael Tal Risher (@DrRisher) December 28, 2020
• Think Sean Payton isn’t nudging his old buddy Ryan Pace this week:
So the Saints can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC — and a first-round bye — with a win against the Panthers AND a Packers loss to the Bears. Plenty for New Orleans to play for on Sunday.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) December 29, 2020
• I’ll find some time to read through this at some point today:
How did a backup Bears lineman from Northwestern, and future Ph.D. and college dean, change NFL history?@readjack with the true story of George Burman: the NFL’s first specialist long snapper.
Art: @WhiskeyRanger29 https://t.co/1wlO80GaR6 pic.twitter.com/ihZGoLExRc
— Windy City Gridiron (@WCGridiron) December 29, 2020
• But seriously, check in on a Patriots fan today if you have any in your friends group:
Josh Allen has TWICE as many Pass TD (4) in Gillette Stadium this season as Cam Newton (2). pic.twitter.com/TQmjvWWx37
— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) December 29, 2020
