The Bear’s Den, October 22, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

How the Bears Beat the Bucs: Split Em & Hit Em - Da Bears Blog - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are favored over the Chicago Bears by anywhere from 12 to 13.5 points, depending on the sportsbook of your choice. But this is not an unwinnable game for the Bears. There’s a path. Will they take it?

Emma’s Tailgater: Let’s talk about the Bears’ culture - 670 The Score - The Bears have a team culture that seems to lack accountability, which contradicts what team president Ted Phillips pointed to and praised in January after a disappointing 2020 season had concluded.

Bears-Buccaneers: 3 matchups to watch - 670 The Score - The Bears (3-3) visit the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. If they’re to have any chance of keeping up with the Buccaneers’ high-flying offense, they’ll need to exploit Tampa Bay’s vulnerable secondary.

670 staff predictions: Bears-Buccaneers - 670 The Score - The Bears (3-3) visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) on Sunday afternoon. Here are game predictions from our 670 The Score hosts, producers and writers.

Robinson limited in practice; Nichols added to injury report - 670 The Score - Bears receiver Allen Robinson (ankle) returned to practice Thursday in a limited fashion while defensive lineman Bilal Nichols was added to the team’s injury report with a knee ailment.

Bears coordinator: DBs’ social media posts aren’t ‘too much of a distraction’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Eddie Jackson Tweeted stats about Lance Briggs’ missed tackles after the Bears’ former star linebacker was critical of his effort taking down the Packers’ Davante Adams.

Bears injury report: Defenders down, but WR Allen Robinson returns - Chicago Sun-Times - Defensive lineman Bilal Nichols was added to the injury report when he did not participate because of a knee injury. Safety Tashaun Gipson, who was limited with a hip injury Wednesday, didn’t practice Thursday, either.

Bears-Buccaneers podcast: Is a blowout coming up? - Chicago Sun-Times - Is Tom Brady preparing to take his own ownership share in the Bears?

Bucs’ defense ‘a great learning lesson’ for Bears’ Justin Fields - Chicago Sun-Times - Building confidence with big throws against a bad defense like the Lions doesn’t get you very far. The only lessons for most — if not all — rookie quarterbacks in the NFL are hard ones.

Chicago Bears preparing Justin Fields for Tampa Bay's blitz - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields will have to keep himself poised and mentally in tune with what he’s seeing Sunday. Not only do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the most formidable front sevens in the NFL, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles leans on a blitz-heavy approach to attack opposing offenses.

Bears at Buccaneers spread, odds, picks and trends: Expert predictions for NFL Week 7 game – The Athletic - See odds, expert selections and storylines for the Week 7 game between the Bears and the Buccaneers.

Chicago Bears: Q&A on proposed move to Arlington Heights - Chicago Tribune - Trying to sort out the details about the Chicago Bears' possible move from Soldier Field to the suburbs? We're here to help.

Bears rushing offense vs. Buccaneers defense presents big challenge - RSN - Matt Nagy's team has run well with David Montgomery, Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert. But this is their biggest test yet.

Bears' Eddie Jackson defended by coach despite poor tackling - RSN - Sean Desai said the highly-paid safety still makes a big impact for the Chicago Bears defense despite no interceptions.

The Bears Won't Know RB Damien Williams' Availability Until Saturday (At the Earliest) - Bleacher Nation - ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Williams, who is currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, can't be in the clear to play until Saturday.

Bilal Nichols (Knee) Joins Thursday's Bears Injury Report After Not Practicing on Thursday - Bleacher Nation - Nichols now makes for four starting Chicago defenders among their front seven whose status is in question for Sunday in Tampa Bay.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Erickson: NFL Week 7 fantasy football start 'em or sit 'em (Justin Fields is a start) - PFF - Breaking down the best fantasy football start and sit options at each position among fringe, underrated or overrated players heading into Week 7 of the 2021 NFL season.

Brandon Knight announces he needs a break from football to address mental health - ProFootballTalk - The Ravens claimed offensive tackle Brandon Knight off waivers from the Cowboys on Monday. Knight did not report to the team, and Baltimore placed him on the reserve/did not report list.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Tom Brady saw last year’s loss to Bears as an opportunity to learn from mistakes - ProFootballTalk - One of the biggest mistakes of Tom Brady‘s career happened last year in Chicago, when he threw an incomplete pass on the Buccaneers’ last offensive play of the game, appearing to think it was third down when it was actually fourth down. The image of Brady holding up four fingers with a puzzled look on his face became iconic.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Bears confidence level and thoughts on the taunting rule - 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 Chicago Bears fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears’ Justin Fields set for breakout in Tampa Bay - Windy City Gridiron - If there was ever a time for the rookie to light it up, a road battle against a contender is ideal.

Salo's Bears Fantasy Football: Allen Robinson is poised to breakout this week. - Windy City Gridiron - Trades are happening in the NFL, trades are happening in Fantasy, and everything except the Bears offense is exciting right now.

Zeglinski: Windy City Gridiron picks Chicago Bears-Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Windy City Gridiron - Every underdog has their day.

Householder: Week 7 NFL Game Preview - Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Bucs - Windy City Gridiron - Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champion Bucs host the Bears following 10 days of prep. What could go wrong?

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, Rule of 3 with R. Schmitz, Danny Meehan, and Brandon Robinson, and the occasional 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; Will Robinson II has his WhiskeyRanger YouTube channel, and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert.

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