Why Do I Like the Chicago Bears this Week?
I.
Always.
Like.
THE.
Chicago.
Bears.
Welcome to Garbage Time
Last week I cared very much about the outcome of the Chicago Bears game.
This week I don’t.
This team, the 2023 edition of the Chicago Bears, has no business being outside the playoffs. If they don’t blow three double-digit, fourth-quarter leads, they would be 8-6 and sizing up a winnable first-round matchup in Detroit come January. But because they don’t have it at quarterback, and they don’t have it at head coach, they are 5-9 and playing out the string.
This is not my casting a verdict on either Fields or Flus. I don’t care anymore, honestly. When it comes to Fields, it is the most boring discourse I’ve encountered since starting this project in 2005. Never has so much debate centered around a mediocre player. Chips down, I would likely move on from both men immediately after the season. But a strong finish, winning out, would give the Bears an 8-9 campaign, and that is exactly what I expected from this season. So, if this group reaches my preseason expectations, what rationale do I have for advocating their removal?
But that’s all these stretch games are, a chance for Fields and Flus to make something of a closing summation. They’ve called their witnesses, presented their evidence, and done their cross examinations. The trial is effectively over. Home Cardinals, home Falcons, at Packers are an opportunity for the coach and quarterback to restate their case to the jury – Ryan Poles, Kevin Warren, George McCaskey – one final time. And that is operating under the assumption that this particular jury has not already reached their decision. (Which, let’s be honest, would be hard to believe.)
This is garbage time. Draw conclusions from the results at your own peril.
Top Ten Christmas Songs (Updated 2023)
10. The Christmas Song, Nat King Cole’s iconic rendition
9. Back Door Santa, Clarence Carter
8. It Feels Like Christmas from Muppet Christmas Carol, Paul Williams
7. Donde Esta Santa Claus, Augie Rios
6. Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy, David Bowie and Bing Crosby
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Mel Torme’s rendition on the Home Alone soundtrack
4. December the Twenty Fifth from Scrooge, Leslie Bricusse (Correct!)
3. Hard Candy Christmas, Dolly Parton
2. Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis, Tom Waits
1. Fairytale of New York, The Pogues (RIP Shane)
Dick Butkus Video of the Week
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQSYASVT-zg?si=h4drf8xCrrXk2WOM]
The Only Stat of Import
This game is going to be won on the ground.
The Bears have the league’s best run defense. The Cardinals have the league’s 31st ranked run defense.
But the Cardinals ran it effectively against the 49ers a week ago. James Conner averaged 6.1 yards per carry and Kyler Murray added another 50 on the ground. The only way the Cardinals win this game at Soldier Field is if both these men are churning out yardage.
Game Prediction
The Bears beat bad defenses.
Chicago Bears 29, Arizona Cardinals 20