Bears running back Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) returned to the practice field for the first time since Week 4 on Friday!
He is officially QUESTIONABLE for Sunday night against the Buccaneers.
Why is this a big deal?
In four games with Monangai this season, the Bears have averaged 196.3 yards per game on the ground.
In four games without him? Just 105.3.
Perhaps the Bears hold Monangai out until after next week’s bye. Either way, it’s a great sign of what’s to come.
Let’s dive into Week 9.
WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS
Adam Hoge (5-3) | Bears 27, Buccaneers 17
The Bucs’ running game and defense are legit, but this is also a 3-5 team that hasn’t exactly played a gauntlet of a schedule. Baker Mayfield struggled before his injury and they haven’t asked him to do much since he returned. The Bears have a huge advantage at quarterback, and Jeffery Simmons makes all the difference when it comes to slowing down Tampa’s run game.
Adam Jahns (6-2) | Bears 30, Buccaneers 16
Todd Bowles has the Buccaneers defense playing at a top-10 level. They’re No. 1 in takeaways, too. But Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams should still be able to handle everything that Tampa throws at the Bears offense. The Bears’ defense, though, should have a distinct advantage against the Buccaneers offense, which has run the ball well against bad teams and struggled through the air. This could be a tight game into the third quarter but the Bears eventually pull away.
Mark Carman (3-5) | Bears 27, Buccaneers 16
Tampa’s strength is to run the football. Jeffery Simmons might have something to say about that. I like that the Bears are 4th in the NFL, allowing only 86.8 rushing yards per game, with only one Simmons game. Meanwhile, Kyle Monanagai has appeared at practice.
Patrick Norton (5-3) | Bears 30, Buccaneers 16
Remember the old segment on WFLD’s pregame show with Tom Waddle and Corey McPherrin where Waddle would give the edge to either the Bears or their opponent in each category (offense, defense, special teams, coaching, intangibles)? Give the Bears the edge in all five categories against the Bucs on Sunday night.
Greg Braggs Jr. (5-3) | Bears 34, Buccaneers 17
Caleb Williams is inevitable. Jeffery Simmons is inevitable. Ben Johnson is inevitable. If last week wasn’t proof that this offense will score 30 on anyone, maybe this week will be.
Joey Christopoulos (5-3) | Bears 27, Buccaneers 17
National media fading the Bears? I just don’t buy it on the lakefront. Bucs can run the ball, but is that enough vs. Orange Sleeves? Hot take: Caleb throws for 320-plus yards, three touchdowns and walks into the bye week firmly in the MVP conversation.
Stephen Nicholas (4-4) | Bears 38, Buccaneers 13
Why would a Buccaneers defense that’s allowing the fifth-fewest points per game in the NFL suddenly allow a 38-point outburst? Because they’re playing Caleb Williams in a prime time window where he thrives. The last time Tampa Bay faced a QB of Caleb’s caliber was in Week 1 when Joe Burrow’s Bengals dropped 33 points on them. Stopping Bucky Irving will be a team effort. His yards after contact per rush (3.4) is fourth in the NFL, as is his broken tackle percentage (24.5). Group tackling will be key.
Corey Wootton (5-3) | Bears 34, Buccaneers 17
Offense is in their groove. Burden, Odunze and Loveland all get going again, and the defense continues to play well with Simmons on board!
