Tag: Chicago Bears

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NFL (American Football)

Caleb Williams endorses Kliff Kingsbury, says the Bears’ next coach needs to push the team

Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams (NFL)

The Chicago Bears are expected to ramp up their coaching search after their season finale at Green Bay on Sunday.

One possible candidate for the job has already worked with the quarterback the Bears selected with the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. Kliff Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, was a senior offensive analyst at USC in 2023 when Caleb Williams played his final year for the Trojans after transferring from Oklahoma.

“I know what type of guy he is,” Williams said on Wednesday. “I know he loves football. I know he wants to win. He’s a competitor. And so, in many different ways, I’ve been around him. So, I would say that being around him, knowing him, asking him questions and things like that, I think he fits a lot of the qualities I mentioned.”

When asked about the qualities he values in a coach, Williams explained:

“A coach that challenges myself, whether it’s an offensive coordinator or head coach, and also challenges us as players — whether it’s on the field or in terms of character, it doesn’t matter. Just a coach who challenges us,” Williams said.

“A man of his word. A disciplined coach, meaning whatever his rules are or how he’s going to control and manage the team, things like that.”

The Bears interviewed Kingsbury last year for their offensive coordinator role but decided to hire Shane Waldron instead. Waldron, however, lasted only nine games before being fired on November 12. Just a few weeks later, following a tough loss to Detroit on Thanksgiving, Chicago made history by firing head coach Matt Eberflus during the season.

Caleb Williams drops back in the 1st half of the game

Kingsbury, a former quarterback, has head coaching experience. He was the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach from 2019 to 2022, with a record of 28-37-1 and one winning season.

As Washington’s offensive coordinator, he is leading an offense that ranks among the league’s best with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Commanders are fourth in the NFL for yards per game and fifth in scoring.

Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, is also expected to be a top candidate in the upcoming coaching search. There are also reports that Pete Carroll, the former Seattle Seahawks coach, is interested in returning to coaching after a one-year break.

The Bears (4-12) have had a disappointing season, especially after coming in with playoff hopes. They started 4-2 but then lost 10 straight games, marking their second losing streak of 10 games in general manager Ryan Poles’ three seasons.

Last year, they ended the season on a 10-game losing streak, part of a franchise-record 14-game skid. The Bears have never lost more than 10 games in a row in a single season.

Team president Kevin Warren has stated that Poles will remain as the “point person” in the coaching search and will have the final say if there’s disagreement on the hiring decision.

Williams mentioned he’s open to giving his input if asked but also respects that management may make decisions without him.

“I know I’m a rookie and a young guy, so if they make decisions without me, that’s their job to make those decisions,” Williams said. “If they make a decision like that, I just hope and believe they make the right decision. If I’m a part of it, great.”

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NFL (American Football)

The Bears intend for Caleb Williams to start in their season finale against Green Bay

Caleb Williams drops back in the 1st half of the game

The Chicago Bears plan to have Caleb Williams start in their season finale against Green Bay, rather than sitting him out.

Interim coach Thomas Brown rejected the idea of Williams not playing in Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field, saying it was never discussed by him or the team management. He also mentioned that other healthy starters will play as well.

“As far as Caleb goes, as far as dialog about him not playing, that’s never come up or been talked about at all,” Brown said Monday.

The Bears (4-12) have lost 10 straight games. Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, has been sacked a franchise-record 67 times, which is the most in the NFL. However, the Bears believe the benefits of having him play against the Packers are greater than the risks of injury.

“Obviously, part of the evolution of him being his best is to try to continue to find ways to help him continue to grow and be at his best week in and week out, part of it is going to be able to protect himself and also be better,” Brown said.

“There’s an opportunity that’s not guaranteed. And I take it very seriously because opportunities aren’t guaranteed. And one thing I hate more than anything is wasted time. When time is going, you don’t get it back. So I’m gonna maximize every moment I have. And so it’ll be the same process as far as this team for this game on Sunday.”

The Bears have never lost more than 10 games in a row in one season. They lost their final 10 games in 2022, when they were tanking, as part of a franchise-worst 14-game losing streak that included the first four games of last season.

Chicago started the season with hopes of making the playoffs but things fell apart after a 4-2 start.

Chicago Bears players celebrate after an interception

The Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after a loss to New England in Week 10. They also fired head coach Matt Eberflus for the first time in franchise history the day after a tough loss to Detroit on Thanksgiving, following a series of poor late-game decisions. Under Brown, the team has gone 0-4.

This is far from what the Bears expected after adding several big-name players in the offseason, including Williams. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from Southern California has impressed at times with his ability to avoid defenders and make strong throws.

Williams has started every game, throwing for 3,393 yards—fifth on Chicago’s single-season list—with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also set a rookie league record with 353 consecutive passes without an interception before being picked off by Seattle’s Riq Woolen late in a 6-3 loss on Thursday.

However, his habit of holding onto the ball too long has contributed to the hits he’s taken. The Bears’ previous record for sacks allowed was 66 in 2004, when they used four different quarterbacks.

Williams plays in a division where all the other teams have at least 11 wins and experienced quarterbacks.

“Caleb is super talented and he’s got all the tools that you need for a quarterback in this league,” tight end Cole Kmet said. “But that being said, you can’t replace experience, and all of those teams, they’ve got experienced guys and guys who have kind of been through it, so they definitely got a jump-start in that regard on him.

But I do think you see the biggest jumps in guys from Year 1 to Year 2, and I’m sure Caleb is gearing up for that as well.”

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NFL (American Football)

The Bears’ defense shines, but the offense falters in a 6-3 defeat against the Seahawks

Chicago Bears players celebrate in the 2nd half

The defense played well for the Chicago Bears, delivering one of their best performances of the season.

But it wasn’t enough.

“I guess we should have held them to three points or zero points at the end of the day,” said safety Kevin Byard.

Byard and the rest of the defense shut down the Seahawks on Thursday night, limiting quarterback Geno Smith and the team to just 265 yards and two field goals from Jason Myers. However, Chicago’s offense only gained 179 yards, leading to a 6-3 loss.

The Bears (4-12) became the first NFL team to lose after allowing only six points or fewer since the Raiders lost 3-0 to the Vikings on Dec. 10, 2023. It was only the fourth time in the last 90 years that the Bears lost while giving up six points or fewer.

The previous instances were a 6-3 loss to Tampa Bay on Oct. 24, 1999, a 6-3 loss to Denver on Dec. 5, 1971, and a 3-0 loss to the New York Giants on Nov. 17, 1935.

The defense was expected to carry the team, especially after selecting quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the draft. But the defense had been struggling recently, contributing to the team’s 10-game losing streak since a 4-2 start.

In their previous five games, the Bears allowed an average of 31 points and 422.6 yards per game.

“Our defense has a certain standard, and we’ve shown it,” said defensive back Kyler Gordon. “Obviously sinking a little bit; just getting back on the guys to obviously get back right. It’s just important to know what we can do. Just go in there and execute. We did way better today.”

Seattle Seahawks celebrates after an interception in the 1st half

Gordon made a big play with the Bears trailing 6-3 late in the third quarter. He stripped the ball from Pharaoh Brown after a 4-yard reception. Gordon emerged with the ball and ran up the field, briefly chased by Tyler Lockett. Lockett then turned back in confusion.

The play was originally called a 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown, but after review, the officials determined Gordon had been down at the Chicago 38-yard line.

“Apparently someone touched my leg,” Gordon said. “I don’t know. They got to show me a replay before I believe it.”

The Bears gained one first down before quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked for a 14-yard loss, and the drive ended.

Seattle had a chance to finish the game in the fourth quarter. Smith completed a 23-yard pass to DK Metcalf to get the Seahawks to their own 40-yard line. But on third-and-6, Smith’s pass to Zach Charbonnet gained just 2 yards, and Seattle punted the ball back to the Bears with about five minutes left.

The Bears sacked Smith three times, and Seattle converted only 5 of 13 third-down attempts.

“I think we played our brand of ball today,” Byard said. “Guys flew around. Ky got the turnover. Wanted to get a little bit more, but I think we flew around. We played hard. We know we’re a resilient group, but I just think that the execution was a lot better.”

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NFL (American Football)

Detroit Lions Had A Crazy Trick As They Secure Win Over Bears

Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears (Photo: NFL)

Earlier this week, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson approached veteran quarterback Jared Goff with an unusual idea following their tough loss to the Buffalo Bills.

“It started on Monday with Ben asking me if I thought I could actually fumble on purpose and pick it back up,” Goff recalled. “I was like, ‘I don’t know about that,’ and we kind of moved off it pretty quickly.”

By Sunday, however, the purpose behind Johnson’s request became clear as the Lions secured their first 13-win season with a commanding 34-17 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. During the third quarter, Goff flawlessly executed Johnson’s cleverly devised “stumble bum” trick play.

On the play, Goff received the snap under center and feigned a stumble, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs mimicked diving for a fumbled ball.

Bears safety Jonathan Owens hesitated, reacting to the fake, which allowed Goff to deliver a 21-yard touchdown pass to an uncovered Sam LaPorta. The score, with 12:18 remaining in the quarter, extended Detroit’s lead to 34-14 and effectively sealed the win.

Gibbs, who tallied 154 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown during the game, revealed that the Lions initially called the play earlier but adjusted due to the Bears’ defensive alignment. They revisited the play a few drives later, executing it to perfection.

“I didn’t know if it was going to work or not, but I was hoping,” Gibbs admitted.

The inspiration for this clever maneuver came from a moment Ben Johnson witnessed last season.

On September 10, 2023, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love accidentally dropped a snap against Chicago, recovered it, and completed a 37-yard pass to tight end Luke Musgrave. That pivotal play contributed to the Packers’ 38-20 victory over the Bears.

Detriot Lions (Photo: NFL)

Sunday’s trick play was one of several innovative calls made by Johnson, who is reportedly a strong candidate for the Bears’ head coaching vacancy. The win marked the Lions’ most decisive road victory over the Bears since a 32-7 triumph in September 1997.

“The genesis of the play was that it’s a good fit for that scheme,” explained Goff, who completed 23 of 32 passes for 336 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

“But their defense is so sharp that it’s hard to execute against them because those linebackers are so good at recognizing plays as they develop.”

The Lions practiced the play multiple times throughout the week, ensuring it would look convincing. Running back Craig Reynolds shared how the team embraced the theatrics on the sideline, shouting “Ball!” as Goff and Gibbs sold the fake.

“Sell it 100 percent,” Reynolds emphasized.

Gibbs expressed admiration for Johnson’s creativity, noting that he’s no longer surprised by the offensive coordinator’s inventive play designs. Johnson’s ingenuity has made him a respected figure within the organization and a likely head coaching candidate in the offseason.

Under head coach Dan Campbell, Johnson has been instrumental in leading the Lions’ offense to impressive achievements, including surpassing 400 yards in three of their past four games and setting a franchise record for most points in a season (493).

“The stuff he comes up with every game is crazy,” Gibbs said of Johnson. “You don’t see things like that much, except maybe in college, where they have all those explosive plays.”

Johnson’s “stumble bum” is just another example of his offensive brilliance, as he continues to drive the Lions toward their Super Bowl aspirations.

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NFL (American Football)

Packers Edge Bears 20-19, Extend Dominance in Historic Rivalry with 11th Straight Win

Packers Edge Bears 20-19, Extend Dominance in Historic Rivalry with 11th Straight Win
Packers Edge Bears 20-19, Extend Dominance in Historic Rivalry with 11th Straight Win

The Green Bay Packers narrowly defeated the Chicago Bears 20-19 in their 209th meeting on November 17 at Soldier Field. The game’s dramatic finish came with the Packers blocking a last-second field goal attempt by the Bears, preserving their 11th straight victory in this storied rivalry. Dating back to 1921, the Packers and Bears have faced off nearly every season, with only two exceptions: 1922, due to scheduling, and 1982, during the NFLPA strike. The Packers’ win further cemented their recent dominance in this historic series.

The Packers came into the game with confidence but remained focused on the challenge at hand. Quarterback Jordan Love spoke of the team’s mindset, emphasizing the expectation of a tough, four-quarter battle. Despite not playing their best game, Love praised the team’s determination and ability to fight through adversity. The Packers overcame several obstacles, including a red-zone interception, to emerge victorious in a game that exemplified grit and resilience.

Packers Edge Bears 20-19, Extend Dominance in Historic Rivalry with 11th Straight Win
Packers Edge Bears 20-19, Extend Dominance in Historic Rivalry with 11th Straight Win

Christian Watson delivered a standout performance, hauling in 150 receiving yards on four catches, including two critical receptions of 48 and 60 yards. Watson’s contributions were instrumental in the win, and both Love and Head Coach Matt LaFleur praised his resilience and work ethic. After a challenging start to the season, Watson’s breakout performance highlighted his potential as a key offensive weapon. LaFleur emphasized the importance of making the most of opportunities, and Watson did just that.

The game’s turning point came in the final moments, with the Packers’ special teams stepping up to block the Bears’ field goal attempt. This marked the team’s second field goal block of the season, showcasing their defensive readiness in clutch situations. The play not only secured the victory but also underscored the team’s ability to excel under pressure, a hallmark of their current winning streak against Chicago.

This victory, the latest in a series of 11 consecutive wins against the Bears, began during LaFleur’s debut as head coach in 2019. It’s a streak that holds special significance for the Packers and their fans, reflecting their sustained dominance over their rivals. The team’s ability to find ways to win, even in hard-fought and imperfect games, continues to define their approach to one of the NFL’s most enduring rivalries.

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NFL (American Football)

Bears QB Williams admits his frustration and recognizes how losing is affecting him

Caleb Williams in the 1st half

Caleb Williams admitted the frustration he’s feeling and how losing is affecting him. This is not how the talented quarterback or the Chicago Bears expected the season to go.

“You talk to yourself,” Williams said Wednesday. “You motivate yourself, you encourage yourself. You have positive affirmations that you say to yourself. With that, it makes the days better, it makes when you’re going through a tough patch, it makes those days a little bit easier rather than pulling yourself down, telling yourself you’re this and that.”

The Bears (4-10) began the season with hopes of making a playoff push after a busy offseason. They drafted Williams with the No. 1 overall pick, hoping the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner would become their franchise quarterback and solve their long-standing quarterback issues.

They also added six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and drafted Rome Odunze with the No. 9 pick, giving them a strong group of wide receivers alongside star DJ Moore.

But instead of moving up in the NFC North, they’ve fallen to the bottom of the division with eight straight losses. Williams has struggled, especially in recent games, and things won’t get easier with Detroit (12-2) coming to Soldier Field on Sunday.

Even though the Lions have dealt with injuries and are coming off a loss to Buffalo that ended an 11-game winning streak, they are still tied for the top spot in the NFC. They haven’t lost two games in a row in over two years.

Williams, on the other hand, looked worn out both physically and mentally in Chicago’s 30-12 loss to Minnesota on Monday night. He threw for only 191 yards, after passing for just 134 the week before against San Francisco. He was sacked twice, bringing his total to 58 sacks, a league-leading and franchise-record number.

Caleb Williams scrambles in the 1st half

Williams has seen the Bears fire offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and then let head coach Matt Eberflus go after Thanksgiving due to a string of bad late-game decisions. He already had as many losses in his rookie season as he had in an entire year at Oklahoma and two at Southern California.

Given all this, it’s easy to understand why he turns to positive affirmations. Still, it’s not all negative for Williams.

He has shown some good moments and has done well at protecting the ball. He has gone eight games and set an NFL rookie record with 286 passes without an interception—the longest streak by any Bears quarterback.

But in a city where former high draft picks Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields didn’t succeed, the punishment Williams is taking is raising more concerns. He rushed through his progressions and seemed off against Minnesota, just as he did the week before.

“Every player’s different, so I’m not sure exactly who you’re referring to in the past — you don’t have to tell me,” interim coach Thomas Brown said. “I do believe him when he says that he doesn’t see ghosts.”

One thing Williams does admit? He’s frustrated.

“Losing is one of those things that really affects me,” he said. “It’s tough. But I do have the understanding of where I’m at in my career and where I’ll be at. Having that understanding is important for me.”

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NFL (American Football)

Quarterback Thompson-Robinson is eager for his start this week and believes he has the potential

Dorian Thompson throws in the 1st half

Dorian Thompson-Robinson doesn’t want just to be a temporary solution to Cleveland’s quarterback issues. He wants to be a permanent part of the team’s future.

With the quarterback position uncertain for the Browns, Thompson-Robinson, who will start against Cincinnati this week, sees the next few games as his chance to prove he can be the Browns’ starting QB in 2025 and beyond.

When asked if this is an audition, Thompson-Robinson didn’t hesitate: “Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah,” he said with enthusiasm on Wednesday. “Best believe we’re trying to take full advantage of it, too. We’re going to go out there, and we’re going to try to win these games.”

The second-year quarterback from UCLA will make his fourth career start on Sunday after coach Kevin Stefanski benched Jameis Winston. Winston had revived Cleveland’s offense over seven starts but struggled with eight interceptions in his past three games.

While Stefanski said he is making decisions “week to week” on the starting quarterback, Thompson-Robinson appears to be looking at it from a longer-term perspective.

Kevin Stefanski and Deshaun Watson in the 2nd half

Though this might be a temporary role, Thompson-Robinson is treating it like a full-time position.

“I’m focusing on the Bengals,” said the 25-year-old. “That nickel scheme. That base scheme, and trying to break down that coverage right now. I’m not worried about anything other than this week.”

Thompson-Robinson went 1-2 in three starts last season. His first start was unexpected when he replaced Deshaun Watson after Watson couldn’t play due to a shoulder issue.

His other two starts went better, and Thompson-Robinson credited much of his success to having a full week of practice with the first-team offense. In his second start, he led the Browns to a 13-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers with a game-winning drive.

Stefanski has praised Thompson-Robinson’s development in his second year. He noted his improvement in areas like study habits, attention to detail, and preparation for games. Now, the Browns will see if these improvements show up on the field.

“I can go back to when we first got Dorian and some of the things were different in terms of calling the plays in the huddle and some of the cadence stuff at the line of scrimmage,” Stefanski said.

“So, he’s done a very, very good job of getting up to speed on all the nuance of the position. He’s done a very good job of keeping himself prepared for when a moment comes that he’s being put in there. He’s really taken to the preparation part of this really well.”

Thompson-Robinson learned last season that there are no guarantees in the NFL, and any snap can have lasting consequences. After his win over the Steelers, he suffered a concussion against Denver. That injury led the Browns to sign Joe Flacco, who helped them reach the playoffs.

Chicago Bears players celebrate after an interception

As he gets ready for another chance, Thompson-Robinson knows he can’t take anything for granted.

“When your leash is kind of short, every play matters, and so I know that,” he said. “It’s not like I’m in here walking on eggshells or playing conservative, but I know that I have to get this team up and down the field.

It starts with the first play and it ends with the last. … Ball security is job security, and making sure that the other team doesn’t touch it is probably my main concern.”

This was the problem for Winston, who a few weeks ago threw for 497 yards but also had two interceptions returned for touchdowns in a loss to Denver. Winston had energized the Browns after Watson’s Achilles injury but may have lost his chance to be the starter in Cleveland after his struggles with turnovers.

Winston took the demotion like a professional, though he admitted it was difficult.

“Do I like it? Of course not,” he said. “I know I’m a starting quarterback in this league. However, what you may say, you have to go out there and produce. And you got to get wins for your team. You got to have elite ball security, and you have to do what’s required to be that starting quarterback.”

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NFL (American Football)

Quarterback Caleb Williams struggles with a sluggish offense as the Bears’ losing streak extends to 8 games

Caleb Williams leaves the game after the game

The Chicago Bears are still seeing the same result no matter how they approach each game.

Quarterback Caleb Williams appeared physically and mentally exhausted at the end of Monday night’s 30-12 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, marking the Bears’ eighth consecutive loss.

With only three games left and no chance to make the playoffs, the coaching staff still uncertain about next season, it’s now about players finding personal motivation for the final games. For Williams, this means gaining more experience as an NFL quarterback.

“Obviously, there’s still a ton to play for when it comes to just the overall personal pride, to grow up, and development,” Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown said. “And your (game) tape is your resume. So understanding that we still have a great opportunity and privilege to be in this business. It’s not guaranteed. And so trying to find ways to continue to keep battling.”

For Williams, this won’t be easy with the offensive line allowing a league-high 58 sacks. The Bears are just eight sacks away from breaking their team record for sacks allowed, and Williams already holds the individual record for most sacks taken.

The offense has failed to score in the first half of the last three games, with Williams averaging just 40 passing yards in those halves. Monday’s game marked his best first half in the past three games, with 59 yards passing.

Chicago Bears players celebrate after an interception

“I think mentally he’s in a good spot,” Brown said about Williams. “Of course, he’s frustrated like we all are from the standpoint of just not getting the result. But confidence isn’t shaken.

Kind of looking at some of those last night, he did have some pressures, they only had two sacks. So (we) continue to find ways to find answers to get the ball out of his hands faster and also to shore up protection.”

In 13 of the Bears’ 14 games, opponents have scored first, highlighting the offense’s struggles to start strong.

With the situation looking tough, Brown says the focus will not be on evaluating young backups in the final three games.

“Not at all,” he said. “I think the focus every week is trying to find ways to put the best roster together and have the best schemes in all three phases and find ways to be productive and win football games.”

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NFL (American Football)

The Vikings put on a strong defensive display that ultimately exhausted the Bears

Minnesota Vikings players celebrates in the 2nd half

Caleb Williams had just walked off the field after being chased by Minnesota’s Jonathan Greenard during another failed third-down play for Chicago. He sat down on the bench, leaning his head back in exhaustion.

Williams had taken a hard hit to the midsection from Jihad Ward just before throwing an incomplete pass early in the fourth quarter. He leaned to his left, looking like he needed a place to lie down, showing signs of tiredness, pain, and frustration.

The Vikings can have that kind of effect on a young quarterback.

“We were really disciplined, but it just felt explosive, guys flying off the edges,” said coach Kevin O’Connell after the 30-12 win over the Bears on Monday night. “When that thing is moving, it just felt like it was relentless.”

Though the Vikings only had two sacks, they kept Williams under pressure all night. The first overall pick in the draft used his athleticism to avoid some of the pressure, but he often started scrambling earlier than needed, leading to several inaccurate throws.

Williams only completed three passes over 15 yards, all in the second half when the Bears were down by two or more scores.

Jonathan Greenard reacts in the 1st half

Williams finished 18 for 31 for 191 yards and one touchdown, with a passer rating of 86.9, his worst in six weeks. His streak without an interception extended to eight games, with 286 consecutive passes, an NFL rookie record.

But the Vikings showed the kind of dominant defensive play they had been missing in recent games, leading to their seventh straight win and a 12-2 record that ties them with Detroit for first place in the NFC North. Greenard’s sack in the first quarter forced a fumble that led to their first touchdown. Dallas Turner’s sack in the fourth quarter caused a punt.

Three weeks ago in Chicago, Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns in Minnesota’s 30-27 overtime win.

“We watched the film from the last game, and he looked like a magician out there, so today we said, ‘Let’s not let him look like that again,’” said safety Cam Bynum. “He still escaped a few times and made it tough on us in the secondary, but they were still chasing him down up front.”

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NFL (American Football)

Week 15 MNF: Bears vs. Vikings Preview, Betting Odds, and Prediction

Minnesota Vikings players celebrate in the 2nd half

The Chicago Bears didn’t see much improvement under interim coach Thomas Brown.

Brown replaced the fired Matt Eberflus right after Thanksgiving, but instead of boosting the team’s performance, the Bears went to San Francisco and were beaten badly by the 49ers.

Minnesota (11-2) will host Chicago as the Bears enter Monday night’s game with a seven-game losing streak. The Vikings, on a six-game winning streak, are close behind the Eagles and Lions in the race for NFC homefield advantage. Minnesota has already secured a playoff spot, clinched when the Seahawks lost on Sunday night. Most recently, the Vikings scored 42 points at home against Atlanta in Week 14.

Few stadiums can get as loud as U.S. Bank Stadium when the Vikings are playing well.

The Vikings are expected to get off to a strong start against a Bears team with a rookie quarterback and a coaching staff that is still in a state of change this late in the season.

–It’s the coaching, stupid

The Bears firing their head coach midseason for the first time in franchise history shows just how bad things had gotten at Halas Hall.

Eberflus made a big mistake in the Bears’ game against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day, which became obvious to everyone.

With 36 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Chicago trailing 23-20 at Detroit’s 41-yard line, Eberflus decided not to call a timeout after a sack on quarterback Caleb Williams.

Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams (NFL)

Instead, the Bears wasted 30 seconds trying to get organized before throwing an incomplete pass as time ran out. This meant they couldn’t try for a game-tying 58-yard field goal.

After the game, Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen subtly blamed the coaching staff, saying, “We did enough as players to win this game.” In other words, the players did their part.

The loss to the Lions wasn’t the first time Eberflus made a costly mistake. Two weeks earlier, the Bears had a chance to win against the Packers, but instead of calling a play to make the field goal attempt shorter, Eberflus let 27 seconds run off the clock, and Green Bay blocked a 46-yard kick.

–Prop pick: Vikings pass-catchers

In the first meeting on Nov. 24, Jordan Addison had a great game against the Chicago defense with eight catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. He followed that up by catching 8 passes for 133 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Falcons last week.

With Eberflus no longer calling the defensive plays, the Bears could make some changes, but they still face a tough task with Justin Jefferson and Addison on the field. Tight end T.J. Hockenson also had 7 receptions against the Bears last month and had 11 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in two games against them last season.

Quarterback Sam Darnold is likely to spread the ball around, with Jefferson and Addison both getting around six receptions, and Addison going for more than 60 yards.

Prop: Two bets combined: Addison six or more receptions, Addison 60 or more receiving yards (+248 FanDuel)

–Bears’ coaches are ill-prepared

Before the Bears fired Eberflus, he had already fired his offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron. Last season, he also fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

Matt Eberflus in the 1st half

Thomas Brown, who replaced Waldron, is now the interim head coach.

While the Bears’ struggles on the field made changes necessary, the constant changes in coaching roles are not helping their rookie quarterback.

There are real concerns about the coaching staff’s ability to prepare for games and come up with plans early in games.

The Bears average the third-fewest points in the first half of games, with only 7.4 points per game. On the road, that number drops to just 4.7 points.

With so many staff members moving into new roles to fill gaps, it’s possible the Bears are lacking experience and quality coaching.

The Bears haven’t covered the first-half spread in any of their six road games this season, so it’s hard to see them changing that trend on Monday night against the strong Vikings.

Best bet: Vikings 1H -3.5 (-115 DraftKings)

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NFL (American Football)

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams says he continues to have confidence in general manager Ryan Poles

Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams (NFL)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams emphasized that he still believes in general manager Ryan Poles.

Despite the team being on a seven-game losing streak, Williams is confident that Poles is the right person to help the team succeed.

“The amount that he cares about us, the Chicago Bears and wanting to win is why my faith is in him and believing in him and making sure that we get it right,” Williams said Thursday. “That’s my short answer to it.”

The Bears (4-9) didn’t expect to be in this position when they face Minnesota (11-2) on Monday night. At the start of the season, they hoped to compete for a playoff spot, especially after making big moves, including drafting Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. However, a team that entered its bye week with three straight wins and a 4-2 record has now lost every game since.

After a 19-3 loss to New England in Week 10, Chicago fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and promoted Thomas Brown from passing game coordinator. While Williams seemed to improve after some tough games, the losses kept coming.

The Bears made a historic move by firing their head coach midseason when they let go of Matt Eberflus after a loss to Detroit on Thanksgiving. They had run out of time for a potential game-tying field goal, even though they still had one timeout left. This was just another example of poor decision-making in late-game situations.

Caleb Williams drops back in the 1st half of the game

Under Brown as the interim coach, the Bears were defeated 38-13 by San Francisco last week. Williams threw for only 134 yards, with two late touchdowns, and was sacked seven times. This marked a big drop in his performance from the first three games with Brown calling the plays, and the tough schedule continues.

The Vikings are on a six-game winning streak, including an overtime win at Soldier Field in Week 12, where the Bears managed to score 11 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation.

During his time at Oklahoma and Southern California, Williams’ teams lost just 10 games in total. The Bears could match that total this week.

“There’s belief — belief, hope and faith — that we’re going to get this right and however it may happen, that’s how it’s going to happen,” Williams said. “That’s kind of where I’m at with it. They drafted me here to go win games.”

Williams said his relationship with Poles has grown stronger, and he remains confident in the general manager. He highlighted the successful offseason moves, including the addition of two wide receivers: six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen and the No. 9 overall draft pick Rome Odunze, as well as running back D’Andre Swift.

“Keep going on with a list of people. He’s done a good job,” Williams said.

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NFL (American Football)

The Vikings’ passing game remains highly effective, thanks to Addison’s recent breakout, as the Bears get ready

Jordan Addison in the 1st half

Last month, while the Chicago Bears focused on keeping Justin Jefferson quiet, the Minnesota Vikings turned to Jordan Addison to take the spotlight.

With Sam Darnold’s strong passing, stopping the Vikings’ passing attack has become a tough job. The Bears will face this challenge again on Monday night in Minnesota.

“We always say that we’re the best duo in the entire league,” Jefferson said after he and Addison achieved a new milestone in the Vikings’ history.

In their 42-21 win over Atlanta last week, they became the first duo in the franchise’s 64 seasons to both record at least 100 yards receiving and two touchdown catches. Addison scored three touchdowns in that game, bringing his total to 17 touchdowns in just 28 career games. Only a few players, like Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski, have scored more touchdowns before turning 23.

Addison, who was drafted in the first round last year, has had a rough start to his career off the field with a couple of driving incidents that might lead to punishment from the NFL.

After a humble start to his season, dealing with an ankle sprain before the opener and then injuring the opposite foot, Addison has now found his rhythm alongside Darnold, with the Vikings (11-2) on a winning streak.

Kevin O’Connell (NFL)

In the last four games, Addison has caught 23 passes for 410 yards and five touchdowns, contributing to the Vikings’ six-game winning streak. This success comes despite opposing teams focusing on double- or even triple-covering Jefferson.

“Especially with how Justin gets defended, normally the player that’s defending Jordan or even in zone coverages, they know they need to cover him or he will be wide open, and that’s proven true,” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. “He’s shown that he can play through contact and down the field.”

Addison’s catch in the third quarter of the game against Chicago on Nov. 24 showed his ability to keep balance and control, despite being smaller at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds. Darnold threw a perfect pass into the gap between linebacker T.J. Edwards and safety Jonathan Owens. Owens attempted to tackle Addison, but Addison broke free for a 69-yard catch and run.

“That’s exactly what we saw in Jordan, knowing he had elite quickness, great separation skills, hands, and ball tracking,” O’Connell said. “As he’s gotten stronger, his work is showing in his play.”

In their 30-27 overtime win over the Bears in Week 12, Jefferson had just two catches for 27 yards. However, Addison made a huge impact with eight catches for 162 yards, while tight end T.J. Hockenson added seven receptions for 114 yards. Aaron Jones also rushed for a season-high 106 yards.

“We expect them to focus on stopping Justin, but we never know what will happen. So, everyone just needs to be ready,” said Jones. “I think we have one of the best skill groups in the league now.”