Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker celebrates after recovering a fumble by Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

First & Long: Williams Makes Debut, Bears’ Defense Among NFL’s Best, Hill Arrested, Prescott Gets New Deal

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterSeptember 8, 2024

Tenn is the story today, but it is the Bears’ defense that will make or break the 2024 season. Chicago is adept at stopping the run and became a takeaway machine last year, but to get to the playoffs, they’ll need to get to opposing quarterbacks. Montez Sweat was a one-man wrecking crew after arriving from Washington, but he can’t do it by himself this season. He’ll need help from Gervon Dexter, DeMarcus Walker, and new edge rusher Darrell Taylor.

That said, Chicago’s defensive backfield, led by Jaylon Johnson, Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard III, Tyrique Stevenson, and Kyler Gordon, is about as good as it gets. The linebacking corps of Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Jack Sanborn is pretty damn good, too. The Bears are quick and aggressive on defense and will get their share of picks and fumble recoveries. If they don’t get to the quarterbacks, however, they’re at risk of giving up late double-digit leads just like the previous two seasons. I’d bet on that not happening this season.

The Bears are now considered a dark horse playoff team, and analysts are predicting, on average, 9-10 wins this season. If the Bears can pressure opposing quarterbacks, they should challenge for the NFC North title. The Packers and Lions are standing in the way, but Chicago’s arrow is pointing up for the first time in years.

Enjoy Williams and all of his offensive weapons, but just like the great teams in Chicago’s storied history, the defense will lead this team back to the playoffs.

Bears News & Notes

There’s a Flag…On the Play

Jalen Carter is getting a lot of flak on social media for taking Jordan Love out at the end of Friday night’s game. Love has a sprained MCL and could miss six weeks or more, though his recovery is expected to be quicker than that. Carter wished Green Bay’s starting quarterback a speedy recovery and was vilified by Packers fans.

Scout Team

  1. Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will play on Sunday despite suffering a torn MCL on July 31.
  2. Levis believes that he won’t make the same mistakes he did as a rookie in 2023.
  3. Former Titan and current team broadcaster Blaine Bishop said Williams is “scary to watch.”
  4. Tight end Josh Whyle plans to wear the guardian cap helmet cover this season.
  5. Tennessee hasn’t lost to a team with the No. 1 overall pick since Andrew Luck beat them twice in 2012.
  6. The Packers could call on ex-Titans QB Ryan Tannehill to replace Love.

Film Room

Johnson is arguably the best cornerback in the league. Still, he needs to build on last year and play like he’s worth that fat extension Ryan Poles gave him.

Northern Exposure

Around the NFL

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys agreed to terms on a four-year $240 million extension this morning.

Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill was put on the ground and placed in handcuffs just hours before Miami’s kickoff Sunday … although it appears he’ll still play in the game.

Bill Belichick would like to return to coaching in 2025.

Belichick is not a fan of Chicago’s rookie QB, or so it seems based on recent analysis by the former head coach.

The NFL recently sent a memo to more than 20 players and the teams that they play for, emphasizing the importance of safety and sportsmanship and warning them that they would face suspensions if there are any violations, league sources told ESPN. Among the players suspended the past two seasons for on-field infractions are Bills safety Kareem Jackson, Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman, Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, and Patriots defensive tackle Trysten Hill.

Tom Brady makes his NFL broadcast debut today. He’s covering the Cowboys-Browns game this afternoon.

Brady is also on the verge of completing a partial purchase of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Two-Minute Drill

The Bears have won six of 13 regular season contests against the Titans, but they’re 3-3 since the franchise moved from Houston to Tennessee. Chicago’s last win against the Titans came on November 4, 2012, when the Monsters of the Midway destroyed their esteemed opponent 51-20. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall connected for three scores in that game, and the Bears defense forced five turnovers, including four forced fumbles by Charles Tillman.

Three Yards & a Cloud of Dust

  1. The Panthers didn’t take a single snap with a 4th quarter lead in 2023.
  2. The last quarterback picked number one overall to lead his team to a season-opening win was David Carr in 2001. The field has been 0-14-1 since.
  3. Hill has averaged 109.9 receiving yards in eight Week 1 games, an NFL record.

Fashion Statement

Williams is sporting a new look for today’s game.

From the Podium

  • “I just couldn’t see myself anywhere else. It’s easy to say, oh, you want out of somewhere until you get it and then it’s like, ‘Ah, this may not be quite what I want.’ But I would say for me, I want to stay here, and I want to not make that transition now. I feel like we’re building something special, too, especially with the guys in the locker room. It’s something I can’t get anywhere else, [so] I would like to stay and continue to build [that], make it better. And shit, I want to win some games and get to the playoffs and make a push with the Chicago name, too.” – J. Johnson
  • “I still feel like I’m scratching the surface of everything I’m trying to accomplish in this league [and] I have high aspirations, high goals for myself. I know the type of player I am, the type of person I am, and the player I can be, especially for the team we’ve got here. I’m just excited for this opportunity.” – D’Andre Swift
  • “When you have so many different weapons on the field, you’re not going to see the ball on every play. That’s not the expectation, but I do expect to make plays and be put in opportunities to make those plays. I’m also a big fan of fighter jets, so I’ll finally get to see that. I’ll be next to my boy D.J. [Moore]  and I’ll lean over and cry on his shoulder [this was said, dripping with sarcasm]. Then I’ll get ready to play.” – Odunze
Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterSeptember 8, 2024
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