The Chicago Bears aim to cap a three‑game primetime streak at 3‑0 before their bye week, but they face a revitalized Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football. The Bucs, coming off a 16‑0 shutout of Atlanta, have improved to 3‑5 after a 0‑4 start, boasting the league‑best defense but a struggling passing attack—only 62 yards through the air in the past two weeks. Running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell each average 5 yards per carry, while quarterback Baker Mayfield plays through a thumb injury. The Bears enter as 6½‑point favorites, but recent close losses (including a 27‑17 defeat in 2023) suggest the game could be tighter than the spread implies.
Adam Schefter indicates that Carson Wentz is likely to start for the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills, as quarterback Kyler Murray remains questionable with a hamstring injury suffered in the Week 8 loss to Detroit. Murray is 64.9% complete for 6.6 yards per attempt with five touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Wentz, who has played two games this year—a relief effort and a start—has thrown three touchdowns and no interceptions, including a 39-22 Week 1 win over Green Bay and a 9-3 victory over Chicago. The Bills’ defense will face a veteran backup in a primetime showdown.
The Miami Dolphins host the Detroit Lions in Week 9 on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. CBS will broadcast the game with Kevin Harlan and Trent Green, but only Miami, West Palm Beach, and Fort Myers viewers will see it locally; the rest of Florida gets other matchups. NFC North markets—including Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Chicago, and Toledo—will also receive the Lions‑Dolphins game. The Dolphins sit 1‑6 after a Week 8 loss, while the Lions are 5‑2 and aiming for a playoff push. Additional Florida games: Jets‑Chiefs, Broncos‑Panthers, Browns‑Saints on CBS; Cowboys‑Colts, Giants‑Eagles, Packers‑Patriots on FOX; and Buccaneers‑Bears on Sunday Night Football.
NFL.com's Nick Shook moved the Bears to No. 3 in his Week 9 power rankings. Here is why the defense drove the jump, and what still sits between Chicago and first place in the North.
The Seattle Seahawks sit at 4‑4 after a 17‑point loss to the Chicago Bears, yet their +26 point differential masks a glaring red‑zone crisis. Offensively, they rank 29th in touchdown percentage (13 TDs on 28 trips) and rely on runs on 90% of first‑and‑goal plays, limiting play‑action and big catches from receivers like Jaxon Smith‑Njigba. Defensively, they’re 32nd in red‑zone efficiency, giving up touchdowns on 15 of 18 trips and ranking last in DVOA for red‑zone pass, rush, and goal‑to‑goal situations. These situational failures threaten another playoff miss, despite an overall strong defense.
Caleb Williams delivered his most impressive outing yet in Week 8, guiding the Chicago Bears to a 34-17 victory at Seattle’s Lumen Field. Facing the NFL’s top-ranked defense that had never allowed a 200‑yard passer, Williams threw 24‑of‑34 for 247 yards, one TD and no interceptions, earning a 101.0 passer rating. The Bears amassed 363 total yards, dominated time of possession (35:03) and became only the fourth team since 2025 to post positive EPA against Mike Macdonald’s unit. Williams’ poise under pressure—joining the likes of Mahomes and Allen in positive EPA under duress—proved he can both escape rushes and make efficient throws, cementing this as a landmark performance.
The latest Bears injury report includes season-ending news for Braxton Jones and Kentavius Street, plus uncertainty surrounding Kyle Monangai.
The Seattle Seahawks face a quarterback shake‑up for Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals after Sam Darnold is ruled out with a quad injury. Coach Mike Macdonald says Drew Lock, pending clearance on his elbow, is slated to start, though rookie Jalen Milroe could see his first NFL snap if Lock remains sidelined. The move adds urgency to the NFC West rematch, with the team also dealing with lingering questions about Brian Fleury’s offensive scheme and Darnold’s contract status. Fans are urged to weigh in as the Hawks aim to rebound from their recent loss to the Chicago Bears.
Jeffery Simmons made an immediate impact in his Chicago Bears debut, recording three pressures, a sack and an 81.0 overall PFF grade against the Seattle Seahawks. His presence coincided with a sharp decline in double-team rates across Chicago's defensive line, including a drop to 6.5% for Montez Sweat.
The Chicago Bears have four intriguing cornerback trade options ahead of the deadline, including a former starter and Pro Bowler.
The NFLSU rookie check‑in for Week 9 highlights several key players and their upcoming matchups. CB Mansoor Delane returns from a Chiefs‑game benching to face the New York Jets, where he’ll test his skills against a weakened Giants receiving corps after WR Garrett Wilson’s injury. Safety A.J. Haulcy rebounds from a Jacksonville loss with the Colts, while WR Zavion Thomas sees his recent surge stall for the Bears. TE Bauer Sharp continues to excel in blocking for the Buccaneers. RB/ LB Harold Perkins records his first full career sack despite a loss, and now eyes a tough Bengals offense. QB Garrett Nussmeier sits out as Patrick Mahomes stays healthy, and EDGE Jack Pyburn remains inactive.
The Bears cruise to a 34‑17 win over the Seahawks at Lumen Field on Nov. 2, 2026, but the game’s officiating sparks intense debate. Chicago defensive end Grady Jarrett (50) challenges a first‑half call, while a fourth‑quarter delay of game wipes away a Seahawks tackle‑for‑loss, setting up Kalif Raymond’s 39‑yard lateral that brings Chicago to the goal line. The article grades each flag and no‑call on a four‑tier scale, noting that most decisions by crew chief Shawn Smith were deemed correct, though several controversial calls—like a missed hit on Sam Darnold and an offensive pass‑interference on Jaxon Smith‑Njigba—draw fan backlash. A detailed breakdown of each quarter’s key penalties and their impact is provided.
ESPN reports the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears are both searching for cornerback help ahead of the November 10 NFL trade deadline. Could they pursue the same players?
After a daring deal that sent two first‑round picks to Tennessee for Pro Bowl DT Jeffery Simmons, a veteran NFL executive urges the Chicago Bears to emulate the Los Angeles Rams' "mortgage picks" approach and chase another marquee player before the Nov. 10 deadline. With the Bears sitting 6‑2 but trailing the 6‑1 Vikings in the NFC North, the exec suggests the Bears could still swing a trade for former star Khalil Mack—if the Los Angeles Chargers finally move him—though the Las Vegas Raiders’ hold on edge rusher Maxx Crosby may stall the market. The article debates whether Chicago should risk a 3rd‑ or 4th‑rounder to secure a game‑changing defender.
The Chicago Bears upset the Seattle Seahawks 34-17 on Monday Night Football, improving to 6‑2 and climbing the power rankings. The win, featuring franchise quarterback Caleb Williams, helped ESPN record its most‑watched ESPN‑only game since November 2019, pulling 16.4 million viewers across its networks. Coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles receive praise for building a young, talent‑rich roster, while added stars like Jeffery Simmons boost the defense. Upcoming primetime slots include games against Tampa Bay, Detroit on Thanksgiving, Buffalo, and a Christmas Day matchup with Green Bay, fueling hopes of a playoff—and perhaps Super Bowl—run.
The Chicago Bears are clearly enjoying watching as Caleb Williams goes on an undeniable revenge tour as the quarterback has been consistently
Quarterback Jordan Love earns his second FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week honor this season after a 288-yard, three‑touchdown performance on Thursday night versus the Carolina Panthers. Love’s 30‑of‑41 passing line helped the Packers improve to 5‑3, keeping them in the NFC playoff hunt despite ranking last in the league with just 60.6 rushing yards per game. His first award came in Week 5 against the Bears, when he threw for 367 yards and completed 80.6% of his attempts. The FedEx award also triggers a $2,000 donation to a local Feeding America charity.
The Chicago Bears dominate games by controlling the clock, posting a league‑leading 35:26 average time of possession. A 17‑play, 80‑yard opening drive against Seattle on Nov. 2 consumed 8:32, illustrating their extended‑drive skill. Coach Ben Johnson credits relentless third‑down drills, noting the Bears convert 44.3% of third‑down attempts (5th NFL) while the defense allows just 23.8% (best in the league). Star QB Caleb Williams highlights the mix of explosive plays—like his laser throw to Odunze and Luther Burden III’s 24‑yard TD on 3rd‑and‑17—that keep drives efficient. This blend of efficient possession and big‑play capability defines Chicago’s tempo‑setting approach this season.
With the NFL trade deadline just days away, the Detroit Lions (5-2) and Chicago Bears (6-2) are eyeing the same defensive backs to solidify their secondary. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reports both clubs are probing cornerback options—Lions still need a No. 2 after missing out on Joey Porter Jr., while Bears struggle with low‑rated starters Jaylon Johnson and Malik Muhammad despite acquiring Jeffery Simmons. Potential targets include Riq Woolen (Eagles), Mike Sainristil (Commanders), JuJu Brent (Dolphins) and Donte Jackson (Chargers). The NFC North race intensifies as both teams scramble for upgrades before Tuesday’s deadline.
The Chicago Bears, sitting at 6‑2, are weighing trade‑deadline options for their backup quarterbacks after Caleb Williams missed three games with a hamstring strain. Case Keenum and rookie Tyson Bagent stepped in, posting a 2‑1 record, but the team's depleted draft capital and empty war chest have sparked speculation that Chicago might move one of them for future value. ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes that teams in need of QB help could target Keenum or Bagent, especially with the Ravens struggling at the position. A potential deal could hinge on offers before the deadline.
The Los Angeles Chargers haven't won a game this season, yet they insist on holding on to potential Chicago Bears trade target Khalil Mack.
The Arizona Cardinals, sitting at 3‑5 and just one win behind second place in the NFC West, are weighing a trade of edge rusher Josh Sweat ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline. Sweat posted 12 sacks last season but is down to three this year, prompting interest from the Cowboys, Bears, Bengals and others, while the Cardinals reportedly demand a Day‑2 pick plus a mid‑rounder. GM Monti Ossenfort says Sweat is available but may be retained if his production rises, especially after the Cardinals’ recent comeback win over Dallas and a potential quarterback shuffle featuring Gardner Minshew. The decision hinges on whether Arizona can afford to lose its sole consistent pass‑rusher for future draft capital.
Josh Jacobs reacts to the Chicago Bears’ trade for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, acknowledging the veteran’s immediate impact—six tackles, a sack and a pass breakup in a 34-17 win over Seattle—but stressing that Green Bay also has a “very special player” returning. Jacobs hints that Micah Parsons could bolster the Packers’ defense, setting up an intensified NFC North rivalry as both teams vie for division positioning.
Jeffery Simmons is emerging as the new leader of the Chicago Bears' defense after a strong performance against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2, 2026. The Bears, now 6‑2, face a key Sunday night matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but lose offensive tackle Braxton Jones to season‑ending knee surgery and defensive lineman Kentavius Street to IR. With Simmons stepping up and the team riding momentum, Chicago hopes to sustain its early‑season surge despite the mounting injury concerns.
Vita Vea weighs in on swirling trade rumors as the NFL trade deadline approaches next Tuesday. He hints that the outcome of the Buccaneers' Sunday night matchup against the Chicago Bears could force Tampa Bay to make tough roster moves. Vea’s comments suggest the team is monitoring its defensive line depth closely ahead of the deadline.