The Bear’s Den, October 16, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Wood: Bears at the Mini-Bye Volume III - Defense & Playoff Odds - Da Bears Blog - I already looked at a variety of statistics for the offense, including QB performance, run game woes, and explosive plays, and explored how Chicago has deployed their skill position players. Today I want to look at advanced defensive statistics from Pro Football Reference and think about Chicago’s playoff odds.

How Nick Foles can help Bears coach Matt Nagy become a better play caller – The Athletic - Don't read too much into Nick Foles and Matt Nagy's apparent sideline disagreement last week.

Game Preview: Chicago Bears - Carolina Panthers (Week 6) - ChicagoAudible.com - Listen to our weekly in-depth Chicago Bears game preview episode as we discuss how the Chicago Bears matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

Red Zone Control Defines a Changed Bears Defense - SI.com - Bears defensive players talked extensively about dominating opponents two years ago and then did.

Behind Enemy Lines with Schuyler Callihan of AllPanthers - SI.com - What key part or parts of Carolina's play are far better in three straight wins than in the two season-opening losses?

Bears Offense Nowhere Near as Hot as Sideline Exchange - SI.com - Bears quarterback Nick Foles thinks the offense will benefit from self-scouting coaches accomplished during last weekend's mini-bye.

Nick Foles has some strong opinions, and Matt Nagy loves it - Bears Wire - One of the reasons why Nick Foles feels like such an upgrade over Mitch Trubisky: His tenure in the NFL has had its down moments, but he’s also put together some of the game’s most memorable performances, like defeating Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

Nick Foles continues preaching patience for Bears offense - Bears Wire - If Bears quarterback Nick Foles was as consistent on the field as he's been off the field when talking about Chicago's offense, this team would have a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl run.

Chicago Bears reserves Brent Urban, Barkevious Mingo, James Vaughters, DeAndre Houston-Carson making key contributions to defense - ChicagoBears.com - The biggest stars on the Bears defense have helped fuel the team’s impressive 4-1 start. But lineman Brent Urban and other under-the-radar backups have also made key contributions this season.

Chicago Bears QB Nick Foles putting his stamp on team's offense - ChicagoBears.com - Veteran quarterback Nick Foles is working to establish trust with coach Matt Nagy and build an offensive identity.

Choosing Sides: How many points will the Chicago Bears score in Week 6 game against Carolina Panthers? - ChicagoBears.com - Our panel of experts, including guest celebrity Matt Forte, predict how many points the Bears will score in Sunday’s road game against the Carolina Panthers.

670 staff predictions: Bears-Panthers - 670 The Score - The Bears (4-1) visit the Panthers (3-2) on Sunday. WBBM Newsradio 780 will carry the game, with kickoff set for noon. Check out our 670 staff predictions here.

Cairo Santos leading Bears’ uncertain kicker position - 670 The Score - The Bears are moving forward with Cairo Santos as their kicker, but the possibility remains that Eddy Pineiro could take over the position once he’s deemed healthy.

Chicago Bears surprise nurse battling breast cancer - ChicagoBears.com - Laura Welker, a 33-year-old wife, mother of two young boys and pediatric nurse, received a welcome surprise from the Bears and her health care team Wednesday evening just a month after undergoing a double mastectomy for breast cancer treatment.

Chalk Talk: Will Chicago Bears LG James Daniels be able to return this season after being placed on IR? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the likelihood of James Daniels recovering from his pectoral muscle in time to return to action late this season, why the Bears signed kicker Kai Forbath to their practice squad and what impact having no fans or limited

5 things you may not know about Chicago Bears C Cody Whitehair - ChicagoBears.com - Here are five things you may not know about Bears center Cody Whitehair.

New kid on the block: Cole Kmet still on target for impact in 2020 - Chicago Sun-Times - The rookie tight end has one catch for 12 yards — and just three targets — in his first five games. But the Bears are confident he’ll become a bigger weapon. “Everyone is on the Cole Kmet train.”

Matt Nagy: Bears ‘love our running back situation here right now’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Hours before Le’Veon Bell decided to join the Chiefs on Thursday, Bears coach Matt Nagy repeated that he’s content with his running back room — even without pass-catcher Tarik Cohen, who is out for the season.

The Bears decided Mike Davis wasn’t good enough — now he’s a ‘beast’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Since the Panthers put Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve, Davis has totaled 45 carries for 219 yards and two touchdowns. His 30 receptions for 206 yards this season trails only the Saints’ Alvin Kamara among running backs.

Bears’ investment in Robert Quinn pays off for Khalil Mack - Chicago Sun-Times - It also helps to have Akiem Hicks healthy and back in the middle of the defensive line. The combination of the three, who account for more than one-fourth of the Bears’ payroll, is beginning to erupt.

Bears podcast: Predicting Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers - Chicago Sun-Times - What’s needed to improve the Bears?

Bears’ Eddie Jackson: Just try to throw the ball my way - Chicago Sun-Times - On Friday morning, safety Eddie Jackson took to Twitter to point out how many times the ball was thrown his way in the Bears’ 20-19 win against the Buccaneers: zero.

Lamar Miller: Can running back help Chicago Bears offense? - Chicago Tribune - The dreams that many Bears fans had of Le'Veon Bell coming to Chicago to ignite a stagnant running game are gone. But the Bears feel optimistic about what veteran running back Lamar Miller eventually can bring: If Lamar’s healthy, he’s an explosive player.”

Chicago Bears: High praise for Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater - Chicago Tribune - Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has been impressed with what he has seen from Panthers running back Mike Davis. “We all know he was here, so there’s going to be extra motivation. Like he needs it. He’s a damn beast as it is.

Chicago Bears: Week 6 storylines vs. Carolina Panthers - Chicago Tribune - It clicked and it clicked at the right time. After a full night of tormenting Tom Brady last week, can Khalil Mack remain in that groove going forward?

Chicago Bears: 'Crash course' for offense with Nick Foles - Chicago Tribune - Nick Foles said the Chicago Bears have emphasized communication and execution in meetings and practices this week. If the players can clean up the details, Foles believes it will build currency with Matt Nagy and help the two get on the same page.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Le’Veon Bell chooses the Chiefs - ProFootballTalk - PFT has confirmed that the Chiefs will sign Bell, who was released by the Jets on Wednesday.

Ravens’ DC yelled at Bengals’ coach for last-minute field goal down 27-0 - ProFootballTalk - Trailing the Ravens 27-0 on Sunday, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor sent his field goal team on the field with 37 seconds left to avoid a shutout and lose 27-3. Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale was not amused.

NFL CMO Dr. Allen Sills: Players will be held out of practice, games due to flu-like symptoms - NFL.com - Symptoms such as coughs, sore throats and stuffy noses will be reasons to send someone home for the day, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

RIP

Vaughn McClure: Former Chicago Tribune reporter dies at 48 - Chicago Tribune - ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, a former Chicago Bears reporter for the Chicago Tribune, has died at 48.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Panthers vs Bears: The Panthers defense has a chance to look really good - Cat Scratch Reader - The Bears are probably the least potent offense the Panthers have faced so far, which is a welcome sight.

The Panthers are slight home favorites over the Bears in Week 6 - Cat Scratch Reader - After two straight upset wins the oddsmakers have taken notice of the Panthers.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Zimmerman: The offense under Nick Foles- hope or hype? - Windy City Gridiron - There were some new wrinkles in the Bears offense vs Tampa, is that a sign of things to come?

Infante's 2021 NFL Draft: Top 100 big board after first 6 weeks of college football - Windy City Gridiron - With the first six weeks of the college football season in the books, Lead Draft Analyst Jacob Infante shares his top 100 prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Infante: Bears facing favorable odds to make playoffs after 4-1 start - Windy City Gridiron - Bettors see the Bears’ 4-1 start to the 2020 season as a launching pad into a potential postseason appearance.

Householder's NFL Week 6 Game Preview: Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears hit the road to face a surprisingly upstart Panthers team.

THE RULES

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