The Bear’s Den, October 10, 2018

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Eurich: Vic Fangio named top coordinator through first quarter - 247Sports - Bears defense has been one of the best in the NFL this season. Over at ESPN.com, Bill Barnwell took a look at the first quarter of the season to determine his early awards. When looking at the coordinator position, Fangio was the obvious choice for him.

Joniak: Different Vibe With These Bears - 670 The Score - Sitting in first place in the NFC North, the Bears feel something significant is brewing.

Gabriel: Bears’ Defensive Line As Good As Any In NFL- 670 The Score - The Bears’ defensive linemen have differing skill sets that mesh well.

Longtime NFL reporter lists Jordan Howard as possible trade candidate - NBC Sports Chicago - The good news is that they're just whispers. For now.

Chicago Bears Playoff Chances: Win over Dolphins increases odds to 78% - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears will have a 78 percent chance to make the playoffs if they defeat the Miami Dolphins in Week 6. Ken's Note: This is complete poppycock, presented only for your amusement. This is NOT how statistics work.

Mayer: Howard still an integral part of Bears offense - ChicagoBears.com - Although Jordan Howard had only 11 rushing attempts in the Bears’ 48-10 victory over the Buccaneers Sept. 30 at Soldier Field, coach Matt Nagy reiterated this week that the third-year pro remains a big part of the offense.

Kaufman: Fangio talks Dolphins prep on Coaches Show - ChicagoBears.com - During an appearance on the Bears Coaches Show, Bears defensive coordinator discussed Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Chalk Talk: Why will Bears wear orange jerseys in Miami? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses why the Bears will wear orange jerseys Sunday, the biggest concern against the Dolphins and if Vic Fangio or Adam Gase has an advantage in the contest after working together.

Lunch With Larry: 10.09.18 - ChicagoBears.com - Bears Senior Writer Larry Mayer talks about the excitement around the team, Khalil Mack's impact on offenses and the matchup between Vic Fangio and Adam Gase.

Medina: One Year After His NFL Debut, Mitch Trubisky Has Gotten a LOT Better - Bleacher Nation - The arrow is pointing up for Mitch Trubisky, who has come a long way since making his debut a year ago tonight.

Medina: Adam Gase and the Dolphins Don't Sound Too Excited to Face Khalil Mack and the Bears - Bleacher Nation - Adam Gase doesn't mince words as he describes his current state of the team.

Medina: Don't Overlook the Special Teams Impact on the Bears' Hot Start - Bleacher Nation - The new-look special teams unit led by a Dave Toub disciple is getting it done.

Wood: Pass Catchers! Everywhere! Pass Catchers! - Da Bears Blog - First I want to look at how frequently each target is playing, and how their presence on the field impacts the offense’s performance.

Potash: Playoffs? Bears need to win NFL’s war of attrition to get there - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears are three-point favorites against the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday and could be favored in four of their next five games.

Finley: George Taliaferro, first African-American player drafted in NFL, dies at 91 - Chicago Sun-Times - Taliaferro, whom the Bears made the first African-American draft pick in NFL history 69 years ago, died Monday.

Wiederer: ‘The belief is there’ - How a new vibe at Halas Hall is fueling the 1st-place Bears - Chicago Tribune - After a 3-1 start and a refreshing bye week, the Bears are back at Halas Hall this week with a refreshing new confidence that bigger things are still ahead. Coach Matt Nagy and players such as Tarik Cohen and Kyle Fuller can't help but acknowledge the new energy.

Rosenbloom: Miami Dolphins - Choking a 17-0 lead after being humiliated 38-7 - Chicago Tribune - Most recently, the Dolphins blew a 17-0 lead. That loss followed a 38-7 obliteration from the Patriots. That’s what passes for balanced football for the Bears' next opponent.

Kilgore: On 4th down, NFL coaches aren't getting bolder. They're getting smarter. - Chicago Tribune - Sean McVay and Jason Garrett showed the disparity between a sound decision and fossilized wisdom on Sunday.

Letizia: Bilal Nichols' Versatility Should Lead to Increased Workload - Da Bears Brothers Blog - Fifth-round pick Bilal Nichols is having a promising start to his NFL career. Here's why the rookie should see more playing time after the bye week.

Stankevitz: Does Andy Reid's post-off-week success matter for Matt Nagy and the Bears? - NBC Sports Chicago - Matt Nagy spent a decade coaching under Andy Reid, but that doesn't automatically guarantee him the same kind of post-off-week success enjoyed by his former mentor.

First and Final Thoughts: The Bears are back and headed to Miami - NBC Sports Chicago - We're almost on to Miami.

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL passing numbers are way, way up – ProFootballTalk - At one point in the life cycle of this media outlet, we'd periodically keep track of which quarterbacks were on the wrong side of the Kordoza Line -- the career 70.7 passer rating of mostly-mediocre-with-flashes-of-really-good quarterback Kordell Stewart. Times have definitely changed.

KNOW THY ENEMY

The Vikings’ quarterback decision looks pretty good so far - Daily Norseman - Pretty. . .pretty good.

Why are the Packers not playing safety Josh Jones? - Acme Packing Company - If he’s not good enough to play, how did the Packers believe their safeties were good enough not to add talent this offseason?

Who the hell are the Detroit Lions right now? - Pride Of Detroit - After 2 big wins and 3 bad losses, what is the identity of this team right now? Ken's Note: Lions, you are a 1-4 team that got lucky as hell that Mason Crosby missed 5 kicks. If Crosby makes 4 of the 5 (the usual percentage) you lose. That's who you are, a bad football team that got lucky once.

Detroit Lions podcast: Packers recap, Mason Crosby gift basket, NFC North analysis - Pride Of Detroit - The PODcast crew breaks down another Lions win while trying desperately not to make too much fun of the Packers kicker.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears defense tops Football Outsiders DVOA ratings for third week in a row - Windy City Gridiron - Even with a week off, the advanced numbers are very kind to the Bears.

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears Jordan Howard a sleeper trade candidate according to NFL insider - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears running back could be on the move to Philadelphia.

Whiskey Ranger's Chicago Bears Video Quick Dive: Trubisky to Gabriel, The Perfect Play - Windy City Gridiron - 7 minutes of moving pictures and the sweet, dulcet tones of WhiskeyRanger

Householder: Most surprising Chicago Bears player of the first quarter of 2018 - Windy City Gridiron - First quarter of the season check: Which player’s performance has been most surprising so far?

Kev H: Ten Thoughts on the NFL - Windy City Gridiron - Guess who’s back. Back again.

Wiltfong: NFL Power Rankings - The Chicago Bears are solidly in the top ten - Windy City Gridiron - We take our weekly trip around the NFL Power Rankings to see how the "experts" rank the Chicago Bears.

Mitchell's Cold Takes: A Look At The Chicago Bears 2018 Season So Far - Windy City Gridiron - Things look a bit different when you set emotions aside and go back and watch the tapes a couple of times...

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert Zeglinski

THE RULES

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