The Bear’s Den, November 21, 2024

D’Andre Swift misses practice, but Teven Jenkins returns.

WE WANT YOU!

Would you like to show your Chicago Bears spirit to the world? I’m starting a feature where Windy City Gridiron readers can share pictures of themselves and their families and friends in Bears attire. Simply email a picture to me at the following address: denmasterken at aol dot com. The pictures need to be clear, and full resolution (i.e. full size from your phone if that’s how you take them). Include any description information you like along with the photo!

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Rex Ryan: Why Bears’ Week 11 loss was the best thing that could happen – Bears Wire USA Today – On ESPN’s “Get Up,” Ryan said that the best thing that could happen to the Bears is that there was growth and development in Williams, but the team lost another game, which gets close to the head coach being fired.

Edmunds to become youngest NFL player to play 100 games – ChicagoBears.com – When Edmunds was selected by the Bills in 2018, he became the second youngest player to be drafted in NFL history at 19 years, 11 months.

Bears vs. Vikings injury report: Latest updates, news for Wednesday – Bears Wire USA Today – Running back D’Andre Swift did not participate due to a groin injury he suffered during last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers…Elsewhere, guard Teven Jenkins returned to practice on a limited basis as he works to return from an ankle injury suffered in Week 10.

Bears running back D’Andre Swift is managing a groin injury – 670 The Score – Bears running back D’Andre Swift is dealing with a groin strain, though it isn’t believed to be a serious setback. Swift sat out of Bears practice Wednesday.

D’Andre Swift Groin Injury the Last Thing Bears Need Now – Sports Illustrated Chicago Bears – The starting Bears running back has a previously unreported groin injury and missed Wednesday’s practice as work began to face Minnesota’s blitzing defense.

Braxton Jones Earns High Marks Overall Including TD Run Block – Sports Illustrated Chicago Bears – Jones had the best Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade by any Bears offensive lineman in any game this season against the Packers, an 88.2 mark. It bested the 86.7 Teven Jenkins had against the Washington Commanders.

Bears vs. Vikings: Announcers set for Week 12 game – Bears Wire USA Today – The Bears’ Week 12 game will air on FOX at 12 p.m. CT. The television commentators for the game are Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (analyst) and Laura Okmin (sideline reporter).

Caleb Williams is leading Bears through treacherous waters – 670 The Score – As the Bears have continued to struggle amid a four-game losing streak, they’re leaning on rookie quarterback and team captain Caleb Williams to guide them.

Caleb Williams Set to Make Bears Passing Game Viking-Proof – Sports Illustrated Chicago Bears – After achieving success last week in a loss, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams expects to see plenty of blitzing from Brian Flores’ Vikings defense and has a plan.

Caleb Williams lauds [Offensive Coordinator Thomas] Brown for attention to detail – ChicagoBears.com – In Thomas Brown’s first game as play caller last Sunday against the Packers, the Bears compiled 391 yards, converted a season-high 56.3% of their third downs (9 of 16) and scored on four of seven possessions.

Moreano’s Film Room: Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, Kevin Byard on passionate performance against Packers – CHGO Bears – In the Chicago Bears’ 20-19 loss to the Packers at Soldier Field, the team played with passion and it showed on the game film. Rome Odunze, DJ Moore and Kevin Byard broke down some plays against the Packers in this week’s film review.

‘King of Cover Zero Blitz’: Are the Bears and Caleb Williams prepared for Brian Flores and the Vikings defense? – WGN-TV – “He’s the king of cover zero blitz and finding a bunch of different ways to do it,” Williams said of the Vikings defensive coordinator. “They’ll switch it up and just fly [Harrison Smith] out from two yards away from me, and fly him all the way back to the safety and things like that.”

Lieser: Bears RB D’Andre Swift misses practice with groin injury, but not major concern for now – Chicago Sun-Times – Coach Matt Eberflus was “hopeful” of his availability for the game against the Vikings on Sunday and portrayed it as giving him an extra day to rest his body and recover.

Norton: Bears coach Matt Eberflus defends decision-making despite Cairo Santos’ hash preference – CHGO Bears – After the game on Sunday, Eberflus defended his decision to play the situation conservatively. “They were loading the box there. You could say you could do that for sure, maybe get a couple more yards, but you’re also going to risk fumbling and different things there.” Eberflus added, “I felt very confident where we were at that time.”

Brad Biggs Q&A: How many wins for Matt Eberflus to keep his job? – Chicago Tribune – As the heat surrounding Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus intensifies, the Tribune’s Brad Biggs reaches into a packed mailbag.

CHGO Bears Podcast: Is Matt Eberflus resigned to his fate as Chicago Bears Head Coach – CHGO Bears – Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus spoke at Wednesday’s press conference at Halas Hall. Is he resigned to his fate as the team’s Head Coach? Later Brian Baldinger joins for his weekly Baldy Breakdown.

Morrisey: What might have been had the Bears fired Matt Eberflus and hired Jim Harbaugh – Chicago Sun-Times – Imagine the former Chicago quarterback tutoring Caleb Williams.

Potsy: Bears QB Caleb Williams’ optimism rooted in solid ground this time – Chicago Sun-Times – Williams and the Bears’ offense face a big test vs. the Vikings’ fourth-ranked defense Sunday at Soldier Field. But after taking a step forward vs. the Packers’ 10th-ranked defense, the progress — however modest — seems more real than previous offensive upticks.

Biggs: Chicago Bears face stiff test vs. Minnesota Vikings – Chicago Tribune – A path to victory for the Chicago Bears starts with remaining balanced on offense. That will be a considerable challenge Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings’ No. 1-ranked run defense.

Finley: While the Bears flounder, their NFC North rivals have all found their head coach – Chicago Sun-Times – Matt Eberflus is struggling. The rest of the NFC North, though, has found long-term answers at head coach.

Mizutani: How will the Minnesota Vikings defend Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams? ‘It’s the mobility that stands out.’ – Chicago Tribune – As the Minnesota Vikings prepare for the Chicago Bears this weekend, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has already spent countless hours in the lab trying to figure out how to stop rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Vikes Views: Where Will the Bears End This Season? – Daily Norseman – When the Bears lost to the Commanders on a last second Hail Mary, I went on a podcast and said they wouldn’t win another game this season. Three games later, I am even more confident in that prediction.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Litigation over the Netflix Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fiasco already has begun – Pro Football Talk – It’s relevant to the NFL for two reasons. First, if a similar problem happens with one or both of the Christmas games to be streamed by Netflix five weeks from today, Netflix and the NFL could face legal scrutiny. Especially since the NFL now has reason to know that Netflix might not be able to accomplish the task of delivering the games to viewers.

Jim Harbaugh: Justin Herbert is one of the best quarterbacks of all-time – Pro Football Talk – Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh believes he is coaching one of the best ever to play the game in quarterback Justin Herbert.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zimmerman: NFL Toxic Differential Plus Through Week 11 – Windy City Gridiron – Tracking team health throughout the entire NFL by tracking the big plays!

Wiltfong’s Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2024: Week 11 vs Green Bay Packers – Windy City Gridiron – Only three Chicago sacks to look at this week.

Adam Jahns: There were signs of problems for Chicago Bears early in season – Windy City Gridiron – Adam Jahns joins the Bears Banter Podcast!

Bears Over Beers: Not This S—t AGAIN – Windy City Gridiron – It’s our mid-week pivot show where you drive the discussion.

Droste’s Bears vs Vikings Injury Report: Brisker Already Ruled Out, Sweat DNP – Windy City Gridiron – The Bears have released their first injury report for their week 12 game against the Minnesota Vikings.

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