New OC, who dis?
Shane Waldron is out, Thomas Brown is in. While players vowed to keep their frustrations “in-house” just two weeks ago, there was plenty to say about the Bears’ ex-offensive coordinator.
Keenan Allen referred to Waldron as “too nice”, saying, “I think during OTAs, training camp, he kind of fell into a trap of letting things go, not holding people accountable. Obviously, those things lead to a slippery slope.”
On Thursday, quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph noted Thomas Brown’s “command” of the room and his attention to detail – notably, not strengths of Waldron’s.
But the offense won’t be the only phase on the field on Sunday. Chicago’s run defense lost Andrew Billings for the season two weeks ago and has also missed Jaquan Brisker, who has been in concussion protocol since October 7 and was added to injured reserve on Thursday.
Why does this matter for Chicago? Green Bay’s biggest difference-maker on offense is running back Josh Jacobs, who’s averaging 98.9 all-purpose yards per game out of the backfield.
Will Chicago be able to stop Jacobs on Sunday? Can Brown get the No. 1 overall pick back on track? Can Chicago finally end the ten-game losing streak to the Packers? Will the offensive line be able to protect the quarterback without Teven Jenkins?
On to an incredibly important Week 11.
Adam Hoge (4-5) | Packers 28, Bears 24
While I expect to see improvement from Williams and the offense, there are two glaring problems that will be hard to overcome: 1. The Bears’ run defense vs Josh Jacobs, and 2. Matt Eberflus vs Matt LaFleur.
🔎 GO DEEPER | Check out Adam Hoge’s latest ‘Bears Things’ newsletter on why Sunday is Matt Eberflus’ Super Bowl.
Nicholas Moreano (5-4) | Packers 27, Bears 17
We all know how Sunday ends. Isn’t it obvious at this point? The Packers are coming to Soldier Field to play a Bears team that is on a three-game losing streak and earlier in the week, fired their offensive coordinator after failing to score a touchdown in back-to-back games. The writing is on the wall. I think the offense will be more efficient with Thomas Brown calling plays, but it’s still not enough to beat the Packers. This hectic week for the Bears ends with Matt LaFleur out-coaching Matt Eberflus to make him 11-0 against Chicago.
🎥FILM ROOM | Nicholas Moreano talks to D’Andre Swift and Coleman Shelton about the fight for extra yards.
Corey Wootton (5-4) | Packers 28, Bears 10
Packers are a better coached team. Bears Offense still struggles. Eberflus still here? Packers winning streak continues
Mark Carman (7-2) | Packers 24, Bears 20
I have been trying to get myself to pick the Bears all week. Braxton Jones is back. Darnell Wright will join him. Thomas Brown is going to make us forget the Shane Waldron experience ever happened. Caleb Williams has to play better. Jaylon Johnson and Cole Kmet are both 0-8 against the Packers. They have had this game targeted. The Packers have allowed their last 3 opponents to score 22 or more. It’s time. I think the Bears keep it close-ish.
Greg Braggs Jr. (5-4) | Packers 52, Bears 17
No way they can’t move the ball vs a bad Washington defense. Wrong. No way they can’t score points vs a bad Arizona defense. Wrong. No way they can’t beat a bad New England team. WRONG!
No, it’s the Bears who are the bad team. The Titanic just sunk after it hit the iceberg. The Bears hit the iceberg weeks ago and now 3 meteors are about to blast us into oblivion.
Who’s ready for another beat down vs the Packers at Soldier Field?!! I’ll see you there. We can cry together.
(For the record I wrote this on Monday and I’m not revising. Thomas Brown in and Shane Waldron out? That’s cool. You’ll have to prove to me on Sunday that’s something has changed.)
Patrick Norton (4-5) | Bears 24, Packers 20
I’ve been to one Bears-Packers game in my life – Week 15, 2018. Hmm. Maybe I’m the good luck charm the Bears need in the building to pull off a win against their biggest rival that has dominated them for my entire life.
At Halas Hall this week, we finally heard some admissions that the team struggled to move past the Hail Mary loss in Week 8. We didn’t need to hear it to know it was the case, but we needed to hear it to know the team could ever move on. Firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron earlier in the week helps shift the narrative and change the energy.
But what happens if, after all the talk in Lake Forest about a boost to the offense because of Thomas Brown’s presence, Green Bay scores a touchdown on the first drive and the Bears go three-and-out? Things could get ugly and out of hand very quickly if the offense isn’t able to build a little confidence behind Caleb Williams.
I feel like Lee Corso slowly putting on a cheesehead during College GameDay before whispering an expletive and donning a full Bearman suit. Thomas Brown said earlier in the week that he’s looking for long-term fixes, but Caleb Williams has a message to send this week. I like DJ Moore and Cole Kmet to be heavily involved in the passing game, and let’s hope we’ve seen the last of the offense’s unblocked screens to the sideline. Enough.
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Stephen Nicholas (5-4) | Packers 30, Bears 10
Pain. Misery. Sadness. The biggest soap opera on turf continues this week against the Packers. Josh Jacobs, a guy I adamantly petitioned AGAINST the Bears signing this offseason, makes me eat my words with 2 TDs. A silver lining? Jordan Love will be one day closer to retirement at the conclusion of the game. #sadmath
