The Bear’s Halloween Den, October 31, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Riley Ridley Needs to See the Field for Bears - On Tap Sports Net - After being drafted in the 4th round by the Bears in the 2019 NFL Draft, Riley Ridley only played in a handful of games. It's time for him to get a legitimate shot in the offensive attack.

Bears Matchup Flashback: The Saints Marched in During 2019; Walked Out with a Win - On Tap Sports Net - The Bears square off against the Saints in a Week 8 late afternoon matchup. The two teams last met nearly a year ago under completely different circumstances.

Bears' Allen Robinson doubtful vs. Saints, who won't have Michael Thomas - RSN - Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson is officially doubtful to play against the Saints on Sunday after suffering a concussion Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams.

Why Bears' problems on offense run way deeper than Matt Nagy's playcalling - RSN - The Bears' offense, since Nick Foles took over as starter, is in the worst place an offense can be: Both predictable and ineffective.

New Season, Similar Results with Bears Running Game - Chicago Audible Blog - For the second straight season, the Bears will host the Saints at Soldier Field. Even though nearly a year has passed, the Bears' run game hasn't changed.

Game Preview: Chicago Bears - New Orleans Saints (Week 8) - Chicago Audible Podcast - A comprehensive look at everything you need to know heading into the Chicago Bears Week 8 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

Saints-Bears Cheat Sheet: Key matchups for the game – The Athletic - The Bears bring little offensive firepower, but Saints QB Drew Brees will be without some weapons of his own Sunday against a tough defense.

Chicago Bears: 4 things we learned from coaches and players - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy still has no plans to surrender play-calling duties, in part because he doesn't want negative thoughts in his head — or in the heads of anyone on the team, for that matter. Speaking of morale, other players have had to fill in the feel-good vibes Tarik Cohen brought every day.

David Montgomery: Chicago Bears running back eyeing fix - Chicago Tribune - David Montgomery has averaged 3.1 yards per carry in the last five games. But the Chicago Bears running back isn't deterred. “It’s this close,” he said. “You’ve just got to keep trusting it, keep going to work every day and understanding that it’s going to pop, something’s going to happen."

Chicago Bears: 4 things we learned from coaches and players - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy still has no plans to surrender play-calling duties, in part because he doesn't want negative thoughts in his head — or in the heads of anyone on the team, for that matter. Speaking of morale, other players have had to fill in the feel-good vibes Tarik Cohen brought every day.

Hub Arkush: Need a bit of good Bears news? This year's draft class looks like it can play - Shaw Local - Listen to Bears fans these days and you’d think the Bears were one of the worst franchises in professional sports.

Bears-Saints preview: Can Chicago end its losing streak? – The Athletic - Here's what to watch for when the Saints come to town on Sunday afternoon.

Bears made Super Bowl XLI run with embattled QB Rex Grossman – The Athletic - A laid-back attitude and a cannon of an arm led to mixed opinions of Grossman, who holds an uneasy place in Bears lore.

Bears’ Akiem Hicks fueled by emotion vs. Saints - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ star defensive end appreciates the good times and cherished friendships from three-plus seasons in New Orleans, but the animosity from being discarded in 2015 still simmers. "You never forget."

Saints rule star WR Michael Thomas out for Bears game - Chicago Sun-Times - Michael Thomas, who last year caught more passes than any player in the NFL history, won’t return to action Sunday against the Bears.

Injury report: Bears WR Allen Robinson (concussion) doubtful vs. Saints - Chicago Sun-Times - The last thing the Bears’ struggling offense needs is to be without its best player. It now seems likely Robinson won’t be available against the Saints.

Drew Brees should remind Bears the benefit of being bold - Chicago Sun-Times - The rare circumstance that made the 13-time Pro Bowl quarterback a high-ceiling bet 14 years ago could repeat itself with a different passer in March.

Week 8 predictions: Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears are coming off a 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, dropping them to 5-2 and a half-game behind the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. Can they rebound against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints? Our Week 8 predictions.

Chicago Bears Week 8 storylines: The search for an offensive identity, a dispiriting anniversary and a silver lining from Monday night - Chicago Tribune - Matt Nagy won’t be handing his laminated play sheet to Bill Lazor, John DeFilippo or Dave Ragone anytime soon. That leaves the Bears to dial in on their quest to establish an offensive identity, a task that shouldn’t be taking nearly as long as it has.

David Montgomery: Chicago Bears running back eyeing fix - Chicago Tribune - David Montgomery has averaged 3.1 yards per carry in the last five games. But the Chicago Bears running back isn't deterred. “It’s this close,” he said. “You’ve just got to keep trusting it, keep going to work every day and understanding that it’s going to pop, something’s going to happen.”

Week 8 Bold Predictions - Will the Bears defense be too much to handle? - Canal Street Chronicles - Bold predictions from the Canal St. Chronicles Staff for the Saints vs. Bears game on Sunday.

670 Staff Predictions: Bears-Saints - 670 The Score - The Bears (5-2) host the Saints (4-2) on Sunday. WBBM Newsradio 780 will carry the game, with kickoff set for 3:25 p.m. 670 The Score will have pregame starting at noon.

Emma’s Tailgater: The curious case of Matt Nagy - 670 The Score - With a 25-14 record in his third season in Chicago, Matt Nagy’s .641 winning percentage is the best of any Bears head coach since George Halas. Even so, his approval rating has been dipping lately.

Bears’ Robinson questionable, Whitehair out against Saints - 670 The Score - Bears top receiver Allen Robinson is questionable to play against the Saints on Sunday as he remains in the concussion protocol and didn’t practice this week.

Chicago Bears director of player engagement LaMar “Soup” Campbell provides strong support system for players - ChicagoBears.com - Driven by the work ethic and pay-it-forward mentality he learned early in life, Bears director of player engagement LaMar “Soup” Campbell is helping Bears veterans and rookies alike navigate a challenging new world.

Chalk Talk: How has Chicago Bears kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson impacted field position? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses Cordarrelle Patterson returning kickoffs out of the end zone, the main reason David Montgomery’s production has declined and how close Lamar Miller is to being activated.

The Pick Is In: Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints - 2020 Week 8 game - ChicagoBears.com - Local and national NFL analysts make their pick for the Week 8 game between the Bears and Saints Sunday at Soldier Field. Keep track of their weekly record here on ChicagoBears.com.

Chicago Bears C Sam Mustipher proud to be viewed as intelligent player - ChicagoBears.com - Bears first-year center Sam Mustipher, who is expected to make his first NFL start Sunday, is pleased to hear that coaches and teammates have described him as “smart,” “extremely bright” and “an intellectual.”

Injury Update: Who's in, who's out for Chicago Bears in Week 8 game vs. New Orleans Saints- ChicagoBears.com - Center Cody Whitehair has started all 71 games since he was drafted by the Bears in 2016. But that streak will end Sunday against the Saints due to a calf injury he sustained last Monday night versus the Rams.

The Rise and Free Fall of the Bears Running Attack - SI.com - David Montgomery held his fingers about an inch apart. "It's this close," the Bears running back said. "It's always just that little piece and this close."

POLISH SAUSAGE

Ravens sign Ronnie Stanley to five-year, $98.75 million contract extension - NFL.com - The Baltimore Ravens have signed LT Ronnie Stanley to a five-year contract extension, the team announced Friday.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Interview with the Enemy: New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears Week 8 - Canal Street Chronicles - Will Drew Brees shred Chicago’s secondary with practice squad receivers? Or will the NFC South Hitman Nick Foles reign victorious?

Michael Thomas out again for Saints - ProFootballTalk - Wide receiver Michael Thomas returned to practice this week, but the Saints will have to wait at least one more week before he’ll return to game action.

Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle/hamstring) will not play Sunday vs. Chicago - NFL.com - Michael Thomas’ strange 2020 will continue with another absence Sunday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Householder & Berckes' Best Bets: Gambling on New Orleans Saints-Chicago Bears spread, total - Windy City Gridiron - Like the Bears, our bettors try to bounce back on a short week

Householder & Berckes' Best Bets: Gambling on New Orleans Saints-Chicago Bears spread, total - Windy City Gridiron - Like the Bears, our bettors try to bounce back on a short week

Wiltfong's Bears vs Saints Injury Report: Cody Whitehair out, Allen Robinson doubtful, 4 others questionable - Windy City Gridiron - Here’s the full injury report for the Bears and Saints in advance of Sunday’s game.

Berckes' Fantasy Forum Week 8: Time to Sell High on Todd Gurley? - Windy City Gridiron - Your place for all things fantasy football

Wiltfong: Bears’ fans are fed up - Windy City Gridiron - Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in Bears fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.

Snyder & Berckes' Bears Over Beers: Rams Headbutt the Bears, What’s Next? - Windy City Gridiron - A 3-phase beating at the hands of Los Angeles causes a little soul-searching

THE RULES

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Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; EJ also co-hosts The Bootleg Football Podcast with Brett Kollmann; R. Schmitz has a film breakdown show on YouTube titled Run Pass Opinion; and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert.

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