The Chicago Bears, now ranked #2‑#7 league‑wide under second‑year coach Ben Johnson, face a handful of opponents that still give fans pause. Rationally scary foes include the San Francisco 49ers—coach Kyle Shanahan’s powerhouse led by Brock Purdy—the elite Buffalo Bills with Josh Allen, and the Jacksonville Jaguars boasting top‑10 offense and defense. Irrationally scary rivals are division rivals: the defensively weak Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers with Jordan Love’s deep threat, and the inconsistent Minnesota Vikings despite star receivers and a solid defense. The article argues the Bears can beat all these teams thanks to newcomers Jeffery Simmons, quarterback Caleb Williams, and a strong defense, but the lingering fears keep the season exciting.
Tampa Bay is 3-5 and just won without completing a pass. Look closer and Sunday night at Soldier Field is the most dangerous game the Bears will play before the bye.
The Chicago Bears jump to No. 3 in the latest NFL power rankings after a 34‑17 road win over defending champion Seattle, improving to 6‑2. Quarterback Caleb Williams continues to fuel a high‑scoring offense, while the arrival of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has sparked a turnaround on defense, creating pressure on Seahawks QB Sam Darnold and freeing edge rusher Montez Sweat. The Bears now sit among the league’s elite, but must sustain both offensive firepower and defensive pressure to stay in the NFC race.
The Daily Norseman breaks down the Vikings’ quarterback drama after starter J.J. McCarthy (referred to as Kyler) suffers a grade‑2 hamstring strain and backup Jordan Wentz steps in. Coach Kevin O’Connell appears reluctant to bench the rookie once he’s healthy, while rumors swirl about possible trades and future targets like Justin Herbert. The piece also compares recent QB trades, noting McCarthy’s value after a 5th‑round pick versus higher‑round deals for Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones, and highlights the team’s $3.8 M cap savings for 2027. It questions media speculation and stresses that the Vikings remain “home dogs” despite the turmoil.
Fox Sports analyst Nick Wright predicts the Chicago Bears will be humbled in their Sunday Night Football showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite the Bears’ surge to a 7-2 record and a top‑five offense this season. Wright praises the Bucs’ underrated defense and downplays quarterback Caleb Williams’ performance, ignoring his three missed games. The article highlights the Bears’ recent power‑ranking climb, the impact of Jeffery Simmons’ trade, and the stakes of the matchup at Soldier Field, which could solidify Chicago’s hold on first place in the NFC North before the bye week.
The Bears face a hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers unit in Week 9, with rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter leading Tampa’s defense after posting 11 tackles, a sack, and an interception returned for a TD in Week 1. Trotter now tops the Bucs in tackles despite missing a game. On offense, wideout Tez Johnson, the team’s deep‑ball threat, averages 19.8 yards per catch and could benefit from play‑action passes behind a surprisingly strong line. If Chicago’s O‑line contains the Bucs’ run game and limits turnovers, the Bears aim to preserve their 7‑2 record before a Week 10 bye.
The Detroit Lions must shore up three defensive spots—defensive line, linebacker and cornerback—before the NFL trade deadline to stay competitive in the NFC North. Injuries, including Jack Campbell’s neck issue, and rivals’ moves like Chicago’s trade for DT Jeffery Simmons and Green Bay’s upcoming return of Micah Parsons, underscore the urgency. Coach Dan Campbell hopes safety Brian Branch returns and Kerby Joseph becomes available, but depth remains a concern. Analyst Bill Barnwell suggests Detroit pursue a rotational edge rusher, a cover linebacker, and one or two veteran cornerbacks without mortgaging future draft capital, a strategy that could tip the division race in Detroit’s favor.
The Titans trade All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons to Chicago for 2027 and 2028 first‑round picks and a 2027 fourth‑rounder, bolstering their rebuild around rookie QB Cam Ward ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline. The article argues the next move should be dealing veteran DE Jacob Martin to Detroit for a fourth‑round pick, cashing in on his 6.5 sacks in eight games—including a three‑sack effort in a 43‑36 loss to Cincinnati—while giving younger defenders more reps. The Lions, sitting 5‑2, could use Martin’s pass‑rush depth as they chase the NFC North.
Jeffery Simmons makes an instant impact for the Chicago Bears, recording his first sack in a 34-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The All‑Pro defensive tackle posted six tackles, a sack and a pass break‑up, bringing his season total to five sacks and justifying the Bears’ costly trade of two first‑round picks. Simmons’ interior pressure forces offensive lines to focus on the middle, opening lanes for Chicago’s edge rushers. He’s set to debut at Soldier Field in Week 9, and the franchise now sees him as a key piece in a realistic Super Bowl push.
Nick Wright predicts a major upset for the Chicago Bears after their recent Monday night triumph over the defending Super Bowl champions in Seattle. Wright argues the Bears, fresh from that victory, should be on high alert for a surprise win in their upcoming home game at Soldier Field. He highlights the team's momentum and potential challenges for their next opponent, suggesting a standout performance is likely.
The Ravens have cut quarterback Austin Reed, just weeks after adding him to the practice squad, NFL reporter Adam Schefter confirms. The move follows Baltimore’s trade for veteran Jacoby Brissett amid a spate of injuries at the QB spot. Reed, 26, entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears in 2024, bounced between practice squads and a futures deal, and spent a brief stint at Ravens training camp in August. He logged 14,488 passing yards and 138 TDs over 52 college games.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen declares the Chicago Bears’ 2026 defense ‘aggressive’ after the All‑Pro DT Jeremy Simmons trade. Entering Week 9, the Bears rank ninth in blitz rate (34.6%) and fifth in sacks (22) league‑wide, while sitting at 6‑2 and atop the NFC North. Allen highlights creative schemes—like sending slot corner Kyler Gordon off the edge—to complement Simmons’ interior pressure. The unit, now seventh overall in total defense (305.8 yds/game), aims to sustain its dominance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Allen’s mantra: ‘You’re never stealing second with your foot sitting on first base.’
The Windy City Gridiron revisits three iconic Week 9 Bears victories that showcase the team’s knack for clutch performances. In 1990, a dominant 26‑6 win over Tampa Bay features rookie safety Mark Carrier’s two interceptions and five total picks by Chicago’s defense, pushing the Bears to 8‑1. A decade later, backup QB Josh McCown leads Chicago to a 27‑20 triumph at Lambeau Field after Aaron Rodgers leaves with a broken collarbone; McCown throws 22‑41 for two TDs, while the defense records five sacks. In 2018, the Bears’ defense scores twice in a 41‑9 rout of Buffalo, with Eddie Jackson’s 65‑yard fumble return and multiple turnovers sealing the win. Each game underscores Chicago’s historic ability to win against rivals with defense‑first heroics.
For NFL Week 9 fantasy managers, the article pinpoints four kickers to stream. Chicago’s Cairo Santos, fresh off a perfect 4‑2 performance, and Tampa Bay’s Chase McLaughlin, who nailed three long field goals, are deemed the top choices. Denver’s Wil Lutz also shines, riding a high‑scoring Broncos offense with recent 39‑ and 45‑yard makes. San Francisco’s Eddy Pineiro benefits from a potent attack but struggles with accuracy, making him a riskier play. The piece weighs consistency and scoring chances, recommending Santos and McLaughlin as the safest bets.
In this episode, Ira Kaufman and host Joe break down the upcoming Buccaneers‑Bears clash, dissect NFC South challenges, and discuss Todd Bowles' precarious position after his recent meeting with Rob Robinson. They also review Baker Mayfield’s performance over the past year. The conversation is aired ahead of Sunday night’s game in Chicago and is available on Apple Podcasts and Podbean.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Soldier Field for a challenging Sunday Night Football matchup against the Chicago
The post Buccaneers vs. Bears: Sunday Night Showdown in Chicago appeared first on We Never Stop .
The Chicago Bears are set to work out former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jordan Elliott next week, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The 29‑year‑old, a 6‑5, 325‑lb veteran with 65 starts and 102 games, was released by the Titans on Oct. 20 after a bizarre incident on Oct. 15 in which he left practice, retrieved a gun from his car and threatened a teammate before being diffused. The NFL is investigating the breach of league rules. Bears will hold a walk‑through at Halas Hall Saturday before hosting the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, and could bring Elliott in during their bye.
Since returning from a hamstring strain, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has led Chicago to a 3-0 stretch, completing 74% of his passes for 860 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. The 18‑year‑old Heisman winner says his top focus is being more decisive—a mantra he honed with USC coach Lincoln Riley and now brings to the NFL. Williams credits meticulous rehab and a mindset shift for his sharper accuracy and pocket‑escaping ability, which coach Ben Johnson says are key to the Bears’ Super Bowl hopes. His emotional comeback underscores how vital his health and decisiveness are to Chicago’s playoff ambitions.
For NFL Week 9 fantasy managers, streaming D/ST options hinge on matchups more than marquee names. The Seattle Seahawks rebound from a 34‑point, one‑sack loss to the Bears and face the Arizona Cardinals, offering a bounce‑back chance. The Houston Texans, coming off a 27‑point, 420‑yard night against the Chiefs, could exploit the winless Chargers but remain inconsistent. Denver’s Broncos, despite a modest 24‑point, 399‑yard effort versus Kansas City, showed a clutch fourth‑quarter stop and now meet the Panthers, keeping them viable. Lastly, the New York Giants, after a solid 21‑point, 237‑yard week versus Houston, target a struggling, injury‑hit Eagles squad for potential turnover upside. Each defense presents a distinct risk‑reward scenario for weekly streaming.
Former Colts All‑Pro guard Quenton Nelson, traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third‑round and 2028 fifth‑round pick, will undergo minor cartilage cleanup surgery on his already‑injured knee. The procedure sidelines him for a few weeks, but Seattle avoids placing him on injured reserve, hoping he returns after the team’s upcoming two games and a Week 11 bye. Nelson, who aggravated the issue during Seattle’s 34‑17 loss to the Bears, has missed only four starts in his career.
The Chicago Bears, fresh off a trade for Jeffery Simmons, are eyeing another former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman as they cope with injuries. Defensive tackle Kentavius Street lands on IR after a knee injury in the 34-17 win over Seattle, potentially ending his season. Insider Jordan Schultz reports the Bears will give ex‑Titans DT Jordan Elliott a workout next week. Elliott, a 2020 third‑round pick with 65 starts, 159 tackles and 5 sacks, was released by the Titans in October after a gun‑related incident, though Titans coach Robert Saleh defends his character. The Bears may add Elliott to bolster their run defense.
The Chicago Bears have scheduled a workout for former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jordan Elliott next week, despite his recent release after a gun incident at the Titans’ training facility. Elliott, a 65‑game starter with 159 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, could provide interior defensive depth for a Bears team that sits 6‑2 and just beat the Seattle Seahawks 34‑17. The NFL continues investigating the incident, and Elliott’s future hinges on the outcome.
Former Titans GM Ran Carthon praises new Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons as a “Disciplined Asshole with Grit,” saying his size, strength and attitude make him a defensive leader. Simmons logged six tackles and a sack in Chicago’s 34‑17 win over the defending champion Seahawks, and he’s already mentoring a 16‑year‑old prospect off the field. With head coach Ben Johnson’s creativity and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams’ elite play, the Bears aim for an NFC North title and a deep postseason run.
The Chicago Bears may finally be close to securing a new home after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Bears executives Kevin Warren and George McCaskey. The meeting focused on a proposed stadium in Arlington Heights, with two Illinois parcels already scouted. If the state legislature quickly approves a stadium authority, the project—tax‑exempt for the facility but funded by the Bears and the NFL—could move forward, keeping the team in Illinois. Failure to approve could push the Bears toward the alternative sites in Hammond, Indiana, a contingency they’re still weighing.
The Chicago Bears may finally get a backfield boost as Kyle Monangai returns to practice after a toe injury that sidelined him since Oct. 4. Monangai, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns before his injury, participated in a limited session on Friday, offering hope that he can share the heavy workload shouldered by D’Andre Swift, who has carried the ball 49 times in the past two games. With Tampa Bay’s chaotic, single‑high safety defense looming Sunday night, restoring the Monangai‑Swift tandem could be crucial, though his availability remains uncertain.