NEWSLETTER
It’s finally here! Game day. In Chicago. Well, kinda.
The preseason kicks off for the Bears in earnest today, and there is some type of buzz filling the air. And, no, it’s not just Pat Mannelly’s Long-Snapper IPA, either. The time has come for Justin Fields, Chicago’s prize first-round pick, to make his Bears debut. Sure, Andy Dalton is, too, but it’s the Fields pick that has us on the edge of our seats.
Not just because of the obvious being what it is. But because now Fields goes, so go the Bears moving forward. Should Fields play to his potential, Chicago’s football team could max out with a QB on his rookie contract. There is so much flexibility that comes with this pick. But none of it can be realized until Fields hits the turf. And while this is just an exhibition, these are Fields’ first steps in a larger life. Let’s embark on this journey together.
Game Info
Chicago Bears (2020: 8-8, 2nd NFC North) vs. Miami Dolphins (2020: 10-6, 2nd AFC East) – FOX-TV (Adam Amin, Jim Miller, Lou Canellis); WBBM-AM 780, FM 105.9 (Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, Mark Grote)
Site: Soldier Field
Referee: Brad Rogers
Odds: Bears -3.5 (via DraftKings Sports Book)
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 (28-20) vs. Dolphins Brian Flores (15-17)
Projected Week 1 Starting Quarterbacks
Bears: Andy Dalton: 629 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
versus
Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa: 3,928 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
Projected stats via ESPN projections
Bears Offense
RB David Montgomery
Reserves: Damien Williams, Khalil Herbert, Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce, C.J. Marable
WR Allen Robinson II, Darnell Mooney, Marquise Goodwin
Reserves: Chris Lacy, Justin Hardy, Dazz Newsome, Damiere Byrd, Rodney Adams, Jon’Vea Johnson, Riley Ridley, Javon Wims
TE Cole Kmet
Reserves: Jimmy Graham, Jesse James, JP Holtz, Jesper Horsted, Scooter Harrington
LT Elijah Wilkinson
LG Cody Whitehair
C Sam Mustipher
RG James Daniels
RT Lachavious Simmons
Reserves: Teven Jenkins, Larry Borom, Badara Traore, Arlington Hambright, Daurean Parker, Alex Bars, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
Bears First-String Defense
DT Akiem Hicks
NT Eddie Goldman
DE Bilal Nichols
Reserves: Angelo Blackson, LaCale London, Mario Edwards Jr., Daniel Archibong, Khyiris Tonga, Mike Pennel
OLB Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn
Reserves: Trevis Gipson, James Vaughters, Charles Snowden, Jeremiah Attaochu, Ledarius Mack, Sam Kamara
ILB Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith
Reserves: Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Alec Ogletree, Austin Calitro, Christian Jones, Josh Woods, Caleb Johnson
CB Jaylon Johnson, Kindle Vildor
Reserves: Artie Burns, Thomas Graham Jr., Tre Robeson, Desmond Trufant, Duke Shelley, Xavier Crawford, Dionte Ruffin
S Eddie Jackson, Tashaun Gipson Sr.
Reserves: Deon Bush, Marqui Christian, Jordan Lucas, DeAndre Houston-Carson, Teez Tabor, Michael Joseph
Bears Special Teams
Place kicker: Cairo Santos, Brian Johnson
Punter: Pat O’Donnell
Long snapper: Patrick Scales
Return specialists: Khalil Herbert, Chris Lacy, Jon’Vea Johnson (kicks); Damiere Byrd, Darnell Mooney, Dazz Newsome, CJ Marable (punts)
