DENMASTER’S NOTE: In case you missed it, my tolerance for posters beating dead horses is now at zero. Make your points, say whatever you like, but don’t harp on one thing over and over. I expect to be handing out no-expense vacations from WCG today if things don’t change. The apostrophe in the Bear’s Den title is not a typo, it’s where it is for a reason, and this Bear is getting surly.
BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!
BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY
Leming: Baby steps - as long as they keep growing, Mitch Trubisky and the Bears offense will be okay - The Blitz Network - For the first time in almost four years, the Bears find themselves at .500 with a 1-1 record as they dominated their way into a 24-17 victory against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.
Zeglinski: Thanks to Khalil Mack, the Bears defense finally has staying power - The Blitz Network - There are two types of people in life. Those who set goals and falter by the end due to limited ambition, and those who set goals and wildly exceed expectations by shooting for the stars.
Thompson: Bears-Seahawks Studs and Duds - the Bears defense goes to work - The Blitz Network - As much as you might have hoped for a rout against the Seahawks last night, a Bears win will suffice. The Bears rode a dominant defensive performance and had enough offense from Mitchell Trubisky and Co. to pull out a 24-17 win on Monday Night Football, putting them at 1-1 in the 2018 season.
Jahns' Bears vs. Seahawks: Five takeaways, including a better second half for QB Mitch Trubisky - Sun Times - Thoughts and observations from the Bears' victory, including a look at coach Matt Nagy's trust in QB Mitch Trubisky.
Finley: Bears RB Jordan Howard figures to get more carries - Sun Times - Through two games, 11 NFL players boast more carries than Jordan Howard’s 29. Eleven also claim more rushing yards per game than his 58.5.
Bears Matt Nagy: Experience the difference for quarterback Patrick Mahomes versus Mitch Trubisky - Sun Times - Nagy, who tutored Mahomes last season and is overseeing Trubisky’s development, pointed to Mahomes’ experience in the offense being a key difference.
Finley: Bears Allen Robinson posts lead-receiver stats - Sun Times - The Bears signed Allen Robinson to be their lead receiver. Monday night, for the first time, his stat line made him look like one
Finley: Bears feeling Khalil Mack's presence on both sides of ball - Sun Times - Coach Matt Nagy admitted his play-calling has been changed by the impact Mack has had on the Bears’ defense.
Bears vs. Seahawks: Hoge & Jahns Podcast - Sun Times - Who stood out on Brian Urlacher Night for the Bears' defense? How erratic was quarterback Mitch Trubisky?
Finley: How the Bears fared in Week 2 vs. Seahawks - Sun Times - Here's how three Bears fared in Monday night’s 24-17 home win against the Seahawks:
Bears vs. Seahawks: CB Prince Amukamara makes 49-yard pick-six - Sun Times - Amukamara came up with his first interception since 2015.
Wiedman: Bears defeat Seahawks but have glaring questions - Our Turf Football - OTFB’s Chicago Bears reporter, Wanda Wiedman, tell us how even in victory, there are still some questions plaguing the Chicago Bears.
Mullin: Bears, Mitch Trubisky stay out of any shell, overcome early mistakes in win over Seahawks - NBC Sports Chicago - It wasn't pretty at times, but the Bears found a way to win on Monday night.
Chicago Bears - Seattle Seahawks Postgame Show: Defense Dominates as the Offense Shows Progression - Da Bears Brothers - Listen as Da Bears Brothers share their comprehensive game recap with their instant analysis and insight on the Bears Week 2 victory against Seattle.
Meet the Arizona Cardinals (The Rise Up, See Red Podcast) - Da Bears Brothers Podcast - Da Bears Brothers kick off their Week 3 preview by gaining a firsthand scouting report with everything you need to know about the Arizona Cardinals.
Rozner: Bears' Long still fighting good fight - Daily Herald - Six years in the NFL is an eternity, but the Bears' Kyle Long is no less passionate about fighting for yards than he was as a rookie.
Biggs: Assessing the pass rush and Mitch Trubisky's play in Week 2 - Chicago Tribune - Film review of Monday's 27-24 victory over the Seahawks showed the Bears got more creative with their pressures this week and had much more success sending more than four defenders after the quarterback.
Wiederer: Prince Amukamara's pick-six put the finishing touches on the Bears' defensive masterpiece - Chicago Tribune - Cornerback Prince Amukamara helped seal the Bears' first victory of the season Monday night with an interception return for a touchdown that punctuated a 24-17 defeat of the Seahawks. It was Amukamara's first interception in nearly three years.
Biggs: 10 thoughts on the Bears' 24-17 win over the Seahawks - Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs offers his 10 thoughts after the Bears' dominant defensive effort in the home opener gave Matt Nagy his first victory as the team's coach.
ESPN tunes out Brian Urlacher's halftime ceremony: 'That was a miss,' producer admits - Chicago Tribune - While 95-year-old Virginia McCaskey, daughter of NFL forefather George Halas, gave Brian Urlacher his Hall of Fame ring at halftime of "Monday Night Football," ESPN was showing a music performance. Not even a clip was included in the telecast. "That was a miss," producer Jay Rothman said.
Kane: Matt Nagy takes a page from Joe Maddon’s book with a celebratory dance party — and disco ball - Chicago Tribune - Matt Nagy credited Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Tuesday with the idea to add something special to the Bears' victory celebrations.
Rosenbloom: Where does Mitch Trubisky belong on the QB-O-Meter? - Chicago Tribune - What counts as improvement for Mitch Trubisky? More than one TD pass? More than one TD drive after the scripted plays in the first quarter? Not choking against the Seahawks in Soldier Field on Monday night the way he and the Bears gagged against the Packers in the opener? Ken's Note: I wonder if Rosenboom writes his columns in crayon and somebody transposes them. I’ll bet when he was a kid, his parents made him go to school with off-brand crayons instead of Crayola, too.
Hughes: A Dominant Defense - Bears Beat Seahawks on Monday Night Football - Da Bears Blog - The offense is a work-in-progress. The defense is the most exciting unit the Bears have fielded since 2006. The Bears evened their season record at 1-1 and quieted some of their Week One demons. Here’s a rapid fire recap of Monday night’s events.
Medina: Roquan Smith Was Quietly Awesome in His First NFL Start - Bleacher Nation - Roquan Smith wasted little time making an impact on the Bears defense.
Medina: Mitch Trubisky Had the First Two-Passing TD Game of His Career … But is He Making Progress? - Bleacher Nation - Progress can be a slow process, but there were signs of growth from Mitch Trubisky on Monday.
Mayer: 3 things that stood out in Week 2 win - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer identifies three things that stood out in Monday night’s 24-17 win over the Seahawks, including a dominant performance by Danny Trevathan and the Bears defense.
Mayer: Bears become first team to maximize new NFL initiative - Sun Times - The Bears on Tuesday announced that players have committed more than $250,000 to local social justice initiatives, which the organization will match, for a total donation of more than $500,000.
They Said It: Week 2 - ChicagoBears.com - Following the Bears' 24-17 win over Seattle Monday night, take a look at what writers around the country are saying about the team.
Lunch With Larry: 09.18.18 - ChicagoBears.com - Bears Senior Writer Larry Mayer talks offensive consistency, Brian Urlacher memories and looks at just how dominant the defense has been in his weekly Q&A with fans.
Bears Grades: Defense shines, Trubisky struggles in win over Seahawks - NBC Sports Chicago - Here are J.J. Stankevitz's grades from the Bears' Week 2 victory over the Seahawks at home, led by an impressive showing all around from Vic Fangio's defense.
Ellis: Seahawks defensive end calls Mitchell Trubisky "average quarterback" after loss - NBC Sports Chicago - Frank Clark wasn't mincing his words after the Seahawks' 24-17 loss. Ken's Note: Many of our own fans are calling him much worse.
Stankevitz: Bears defense knocks it out of the park to drive win over Seahawks - NBC Sports Chicago - While a planned baseball celebration didn't materialize after Prince Amukamara's pick-six, the Bears defense proved just how good they can be on Monday night.
Bears' Prince Amukamara On 10-Interception Goal: 'I've Really Just Embraced It' - 670 The Score - Prince Amukamara helped the Bears win Monday with a pick-six.
Emma: Bears Players, Ownership Commit More Than $500,000 To Social Justice Projects - 670 The Score - Bears players and ownership will each contribute $250,000-plus.
Bears open as 6.5-point favorites over Cardinals - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears head into Week 3 favored for the second week in a row.
Matt Nagy drew inspiration from Cubs skipper Joe Maddon - 247Sports - Matt Nagy found inspiration in Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Monday night.
Bears vs. Seahawks notebook: Game MVP, stats, top plays - 247Sports - The Chicago Bears took a step in the right direction in Week 2.
Dickerson: Mitchell Trubisky makes positive steps, still work in progress - ESPN - Mitchell Trubisky was taken eight picks ahead of Patrick Mahomes but hasn't progressed as quickly. Still, Matt Nagy sees his new QB making strides.
Seahawks' Frank Clark: Trubisky 'nothing special' - NFL.com - Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears may have defeated the Seahawks on Monday night, but not everybody was impressed with the Bears second-year passer, including Seahawks DE Frank Clark.
Gabriel: Is Too Much Being Expected Of Bears' Mitchell Trubisky? - 670 The Score - Comparisons of Mitchell Trubisky to Patrick Mahomes are missing the point.
Pompei: Observations From Bears-Seahawks - 670 The Score - The Bears defense is good -- really good.
Bernstein: Dominant Bears Defense Covers For Mitchell Trubisky's Issues - 670 The Score - The Bears did well to earn the win, but Mitchell Trubisky was too often erratic.
KNOW THY ENEMY
Film breakdown: What’s wrong with the Detroit Lions’ run defense? - Pride Of Detroit - A look at what’s ailing the Lions’ run defense through two weeks.
Breaking down the Detroit Lions’ running back usage through 2 games - Pride Of Detroit - How is the new Lions running game looking so far and what can expect going forward.
Despite 0-2 start, I’m buying in on Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions - Pride Of Detroit - Why the Lions are right there and we should all just calm down.
Report: Vikings sign DT Tom Johnson - Daily Norseman - It’s another poison pill, this time with a Johnson thrown in. Wait...
Packers should explore trading for disgruntled Seahawks safety Earl Thomas - Acme Packing Company - With Mike Pettine’s safeties struggling and the Seahawks looking at a rebuild, there could be an opportunity for Green Bay to add an All-Pro player at a position of need.
Brett Favre calls Clay Matthews’ penalty on Kirk Cousins a “textbook hit” – ProFootballTalk - Everyone, it seems, has an opinion on the roughing penalty Clay Matthews received Sunday for his hit on Kirk Cousins. Nearly everyone agrees it was a questionable call aside from NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Al Riveron...
Vikings thwart Seahawks’ plan to re-sign Tom Johnson - Field Gulls - The Seattle Seahawks pretty much signed Tom Johnson to be a cheaper replacement for Sheldon Richardson, who went to the Minnesota Vikings on a much more expensive one-year deal than Johnson’s.
Why I’m not panicking about the Seahawks - Field Gulls - Yes, the Seattle Seahawks are 0-2, which doesn’t give them good odds to make the playoffs. Given what I know from my experiences of being a fan and being around fans for awhile, I’m guessing at...
Cigar Thoughts, Game 2: Seahawks stagnate, curdle in loss to Bears - Field Gulls - The Chicago Bears overmatched a depleted Seahawks team on Monday night, beating them 24-17 and sending Seattle to 0-2.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON
Wiltfong: Ten Thoughts on the NFL - Windy City Gridiron - Come for my Thoughts, stay for the Brian Urlacher halftime video!
Bears vs Seahawks: Snap counts, stats and more - Windy City Gridiron - We’ll list out the complete playing time breakdown, and spotlight a few individual and team statistics from the Chicago Bears in their prime time win against the Seattle Seahawks.
Infante: Bears have PFF’s No. 1 defense through two weeks - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears have been impressive on defense so far this year, so much so that PFF has ranked them as the best unit in the league.
Householder: Week 2 Stock up, stock down: Chicago Bears-Seattle Seahawks - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears toughed out a win last night in front of the home crowd.
Wiltfong's NFL Power Rankings: Bears win ugly, but it’s still a win - Windy City Gridiron - Let’s take a look at what the NFL power rankers think about the Chicago Bears this week.
Leming: Week 2 game balls after their first win of the season - Windy City Gridiron - Following the Bears first win of the season under the lights, we highlight the team’s two best players on the field.
Infante: Notes from a triumphant 24-17 victory - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears picked up the win on a night that honored Brian Urlacher and set the tone for a new era in Chicago football.
Infante: The Bears are still a work in progress, but that’s just fine - Windy City Gridiron - Chicago isn’t a polished team yet, but there is more talent and upside on their roster than any other team in years.
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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The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes, and any posts that do this will be deleted and the poster will be admonished. We do not allow comments posted where the apparent attempt is to cause confrontation in the community. We do not allow gender-directed humor or sexual assault jokes. The staff of WCG are the sole arbiters of what constitutes “apparent attempt to cause confrontation”. We do not allow the “calling out” of other members in any way, shape or form. Posts that do this will be deleted on sight. Bottom line, it’s fine to debate about football, but personal jabs and insults are strictly prohibited. Additionally, if you keep beating the same dead horse over and over and fail to heed a moderator’s warning to stop, you will be banned.
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