With all the trade talk taking over the week we are at Fri with no game thread for this Sun against Miami as of yet.  

Health-wise we are getting better.  Whitehair is not only returning to the 53 but is on track to start.  Jenkins struggled with some back issues earlier in the week but has had 2 full practices and is off the injury report.  Borom is off concussion protocol but might not start.  My guess is Reiff played well enough to keep Borom as backup since he's had just one practice.  

https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/news/bears-cody-whitehair-larry-borom-good-to-go

Stopping the Fins WRs is going to be a problem and with us relying more on backups at LB and DE.  Their running game has not been good so that at least plays into our strength in pass coverage somewhat if we can generate a pass rush.  

Their run defense has been good but they are bottom 5 giving up a lot of yards in pass defense.   

3 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Their run defense has been good but they are bottom 5 giving up a lot of yards in pass defense. 

Their pass rush defense got a shot in the arm when they traded for former Denver pass rusher Bradley Chubb.  This trade took place about the same time the Bears got Claypool.  Gonna probably need outside help from the TEs.  
 

 

I think to have any shot in this game, it's going to be about our defense getting pass pressure, which is something they haven't done at all this year.

We have a screen and draw game as well as a running QB to punish pass rushers for being too agressive, but without the Bears generating any pass pressure, we will get blown out again.

And for this year, if our offense keeps putting up 30+ points for the rest of the on good defenses, I dont mind losing the games because the defense cant get pressure. That almost sounds ideal for this year.

Then again, if someone on the Bears D line starts to flash, so much the better.

Its about controlling the clock and keeping mistakes to a minimum. I heard they are the worst team in the league making penalties. We have to keep the chunk plays in front  of us and let them make mistakes. It may give us a shot.

Can you imagine Vildor trying to defend Hill or Waddle? McDaniels clearly saw what Dallas did. Throw and run at Vildor all day. Nothing else will matter. I feel like Vildor will be good for at least 4 TDs against. I am figuring this will be a high 30s to low 20s scoring game, 38-22 due to a failed 2pt conversion. 

Claypool is too new to really contribute outside of some Go routes, but it will be nice to see him out there. 

The line of +4.5 for the Bears is surprising. Compared to recent lines and the loss of Quinn and Smith, I figured the line would be closer to 6 or 7.

 

EDIT:

I really thought Miami was dominating teams, but their biggest win was opening week with a 13 pt win against NE. In their last 5, they are 2-3 with losses to CIN (by 12), NYJ (by 23), and MIN (by 8), then wins against PIT (by 6) and DET (by 4). So with that knowledge, I think it will be more like 31-27 or something like that. 

I think we keep the score close but dont win this game. I think Gordon will be playing on the corner instead of in the slot CB spot. I think we see Cluikshank playing in the slot C spot, good against TEs. Miami 27-23.

 

Vildor is literally responsible for 3 losses for the Bears. And on queue makes a PI penalty in the end zone. 

Offense has some pep today. 

14 minutes ago, adam said:

Vildor is literally responsible for 3 losses for the Bears. And on queue makes a PI penalty in the end zone. 

I have seen CBs that turn their head like he did and not get any calls

Watch the O score every time they touch the ball. The best way to beat a good O. 

24 minutes ago, adam said:

Vildor is literally responsible for 3 losses for the Bears. And on queue makes a PI penalty in the end zone. 

Insert Jaylon Jones... not much better.  CB might be another high pick...sigh 

Apparently Vildor has come back in wearing Jaylon Johnson’s uniform.  You 

21-17 at half, Miami only scored 14 on offense. Bears scored 17. 

Fields rating the last 4 games: 71.5, 85.2, 120.0, and 128.9 so far today. Talk about improvement. That doesn't even take into account his rushing. 

Kmet and Mooney both with TD catches. Bears with over 100 yards rushing and on their way to another 200 yard rushing day.

Fields just ripped off a 61 yd TD run. Dude is insane. 

If the defense can do anything, the Bears can actually win this. Offense has outscored Miami's 25-21 so far. The difference is that blocked punt TD. 

Rodgers just threw his 3rd INT and none of his receivers have 3 receptions yet. 

 

GB losing 8-0, Detroit with ball. 

14 minutes ago, adam said:

Rodgers just threw his 3rd INT and none of his receivers have 3 receptions yet. 

 

GB losing 8-0, Detroit with ball. 

My two favorite teams: Bears and anyone playing the Puckers.

They need to move him out of the pocket and they need to stop throwing that sideline screen. It must be 15 times today.

We have now turned into a Offensive team, welcome to the new era.

1 minute ago, Stinger226 said:

They need to move him out of the pocket and they need to stop throwing that sideline screen. It must be 15 times today.

There is always that play we see over and over that never works. I wish we could run the slant like GB that chips away  5 to 10 yds per play.

The Claypool pass the DB was hugging him.

4 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

We have now turned into a Offensive team, welcome to the new era.

What kind of bs excuse was there not to get the PI call at home.

Refs hand the game to the Dolphins, a phantom call on Jackson that swings the field position and then the no call on Claypool. They need to make PI reviewable. Game changing penalties. 

I couldn't be more disappointed in the officiating.

11 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

I couldn't be more disappointed in the officiating.

That's a very low bar but I have to agree.   Aside from the PI miscues there were a few obvious holding calls against our pass rush that weren't flagged.   I'm just going to look at the silver lining here and take that as the NFL helping us with a better draft pick.   

Going in I was hoping for another 30pt game from the offense and would be ok with the L.  So I'm stuck owning the L.   We can point to a lot of plays as always but giving up 7 on a routine blocked punt is completely unacceptable.  Herbert can't completely miss on a simple block like that.  

Oline was just ok today for most part but run blocking wasn't the best we've seen.  Braxton Jones gave up some pressures late as usual being bull rushed but it's hard to say they got their $110mil worth from Chubb when a 5th Rd rookie LT contained him for most of the game. 

Claypool will improve this offense quite a bit.  Hopefully Pringle gets back soon because he's a more dynamic route runner than either ESB or Pettis.   There is no chance I'd take Tua and all those underthrown passes over Fields in any draft.   In fact the few times we did get pressure on Tua he melted down.  I was impressed by their WRs but not the QB.  Time will tell but they've gone all-in on Tua for the near future.     

Now it's time for me to get back to scouting Dline for the draft.   Get an interior pass rusher or two and this game would have been a win.   

31 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Now it's time for me to get back to scouting Dline for the draft.   Get an interior pass rusher or two and this game would have been a win. 

I was going to post the exact same thing.  In my anger, I kept it short and to the point.  Yes, we are weak up the middle.  For DL, I can see 2 drafted and 2 as FA for sure.