October 24, 2025 • 46 mins
The Chicago Bears will try to win their fifth straight game when they travel to play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar give the latest news from Halas Hall and preview Sunday's game.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello, and welcome to the Shaw Local Bears Insider podcast.
I am Chicago Bears report of Michael Duo Jack here
with the Northwest Heralds Joe Aguilar as we join you
guys on Friday morning. The Bears are traveling back to
the mid Atlantic, where they'll play the Baltimore Ravens on
Sunday afternoon, a good test for the Bears. Who you know, Sure,
(00:24):
the the Ravens are one and five, but let's not
pretend like these are the Ravens, and let's just say
the sayings from last week. These are two different teams,
especially with Joe. If you know, the Ravens are getting
a bunch of guys back, but then the major guy
is Lamar Jackson looks to be coming back here on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yeah, that's that's everything we talk about going forward here
in this podcast. Is Scully the final score and keys.
It's all revolving around him, the two time MVP of
the league. So yeah, it looks like he's gonna play
all right. He participated a little bit this week, probably
just being cautious, right and probably like a game time decision,
(01:07):
I would assume. But if he's good to go, when
he wakes up Sunday morning, if he's feeling good, he'll
he'll be a goal. Then the question is how effective
is he's missed the last two games for them, and
you know, will he be a little tentative with the hamstring.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Yeah, we'll break that all down here as we kind
of look forward. Thanks to everyone who's joining us on
the live stream. Appreciate it. Make sure you guys give
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to do this every Monday and Friday morning just to
(01:46):
kind of break down and preview the game. But if
you want to be part of the conversation, make sure
you join us on the live stream like some of
our our regulars usually do so.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Joe, obviously a big game.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Bears have won four straight games, a lot of momentum
on their side, But this really feels like a gay,
like a prove it game. I feel like, you know,
I think the spread is still at what six and
a half at this point, and that's with the with
the understanding that I think I think the sportsbooks think
that Lamar is gonna play. But Joe, this, you know,
(02:19):
this really feels like a game where the Bears, you know,
need to go to Baltimore and show that they are
there for a game winning streak.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
I feel like this is a really big test for
them to prove, you know, whether they win this game
or make it a close game, at least prove that
they've taken a step here under Ben Johnson.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
I agree. Now, if Lamar doesn't play, you know, they
gotta beat Cooper Rush or Tyler hunt lea quarterback. But
if Lamar plays, even if it's not one hundred percent
of Lamar, you know, that would be huge. And I think,
especially after we talked after the Saints game, board didn't
feel like a route even though they won by double digits.
(02:58):
It just, you know, Caleb Bush great, maybe his worst
game of the season, so I think he needs to
have a good game. And certainly if they and they're
starting out, the national media is starting to buy in
a little bit, right Ben Jonson. All the hype videos
after victories, and you know, they've won four in a row,
and they deserve some accolades now or some praise nationally
(03:20):
especially and now people are starting to notice them a
little bit. But if they go here in lant A
and LeVar you know, shows his health and he throws
for three hundred and rushes for fifty or something, it's
not going to look good. So it is an important
game for them, especially on the road.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
All right, let's look at the injury report here. We're
recording this or we're you know, we're joining you guys
Friday morning. We'll get the final injury report here Friday
afternoon with designations. But it was a it's a packed
injury report. Let's start off with Cole Combat and Tyreek Stevenson.
Those guys have not practiced all week. Cole's got it
(03:56):
back and Tyreek has a shoulder, and those two guys
seem you know, if I had a guess at this point,
I don't think they're playing on on on Sunday. You know, obviously,
you know, either one of those guys can come back
on Friday and maybe, you know, maybe they'll be a
little bit more questionable. But you know, when Ben was
asked about it on Monday, you know, he called it
(04:17):
a day to day, week to week thing. So my
interpretation of that being I would say anytime you throw
a week to week I think you probably miss at
least one game. We haven't seen Cole this week at
practice or in the locker room. We haven't seen Tyreek
at practice, and I think maybe someone saw him for
a moment in the locker room. But listen, Joe, I
(04:37):
mean this really for both Cole and Tyreek. I mean
those are big holes to fill. Obviously, with Cole you
have Colston, who you know, a lot of guys have
been looking forward to kind of seeing if he can
take the next step, and he's the obvious guy who's
gonna take over. But for Tyreek, I mean, if Tyreek
doesn't play on Sunday, you already have a depleted cornerback
(04:58):
room with Jalen Johnson see out for the indefinite time.
How do you approach this? I get or I guess,
how would you approach this? I mean, Kyler Gordon has
shown you that he can play a little bit outside.
Maybe you just put Nick McCloud there. Do you put
Josh Blackwell there? You know they have good depth to
be there, but to be missing two starters now at
this point in Tyreek can't play. It's a it's a
(05:21):
really interesting you know thing that Dennis Allen is going
to have to look at here.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, this is tough. I mean, the injury to Tyreek
is more disappointing or concerning I think as a Bears
fan than the loss of Cole Kmet. I mean, they've
They've got Colston Loblin for a reason, and there was
a reason why they drafted him tenth overall, so he
it's his time. Then if Cole isn't ready, and Cole
is you know, hasn't been great this year, but Tyreek,
(05:46):
who's had a good year, I mean, you know, and
again they're so depleted. They had good depth in August
and since then it's really gone downhill here and there's
only so much you can do. So they the question
of whether Lamar Jackson is going to play today, that's
even that Loom's even bigger if he is gonna play,
because this secondary at this point, what do you do?
(06:07):
They'll say, next man up? But my goodness, they're gonna
be playing guys at some point in the game. That again,
like the average Bears fan hasn't even heard of. Uh,
But I think you probably have to move Kyler if
he's healthy, because didn't he miss did he miss a
practice this week? Or is that did I hear he
got thinged up a little?
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Kyler? Kyler was he was limited yesterday with the groin
and the calf. Like again, obviously we'll see on Friday
what that kind of means. The Friday injury report really
is the one that I kind of take a lot
of stock in. Obviously, on Wednesday and Thursday, like like
like yesterday, Joe too, he didn't practice for rest, Like
those are just the days that you kind of you know,
are precautionary. I think the Friday practices are the ones
(06:46):
where you're kind of like all right, like this will
tell us if someone plays or not. But yeah, Kyler
was added on to the to the injury report there
with the with the combo injury.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Yeah, so hopefully he's good. If and if if Tyreek
can't go on, I would think he'd have to move
Kyler Gordon to outside and hope uh Cooper Rush is
the quarterback.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Yeah, you definitely need to There are different a lot
of things you could do. CJ. Chiming in Jalen Jones
healthy haven't seen him since they signed him. Jalen Jones
had a hamstring injury there at the beginning of the
season for Lake. I think it was like a week
or two. But he is on the roster. I think
he should be healthy, so he's could be an option.
I think they'll probably look at Nick McCloud, Josh Blackwell,
(07:28):
those seem to be the guys that they'll probably look
at there if they don't want to put Kyler on
the outside the entire time. You know, obviously when Nasehan
Wright was out for a player or two against the Saints,
they kind of bumped him out there. But that'll be
interesting to see and well we'll hear more from Ben
but yeah, I mean that'll be a really interesting development
(07:49):
just to kind of see, you know.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
If Lamar plays. Even if you keep.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Them, you know, he doesn't want to run a lot
on that hamstring. I mean, Dennis Allen talked about it
and we'll talk about it on our but I mean,
you keep them in the pocket, that's not really a
good spot. You want to keep him in either, right,
because like if he's in the pocket, he can abuse
you and he can find the open receiver or he
can create plays. So yeah, that that secondary will be
really interesting to watch, especially if they're depleted the way
(08:16):
they happen. Naseean Ryant had a hip injury earlier in
the week. He was full on Thursday. I would assume
that he'll be fine. DJ Moore and DeAndre Swift have
both didn't practice on Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
DJ Moore's got a hip. DeAndre Swift has that groin
injury that he dealt with last week. Both were limited
on Thursday. I would assume that both are going to
be playing. They just felt like a management thing and
DJ what didn't seem too concerned about it when we
talked with him on Thursday. But Joe, those are two
really important players that the Bears need to have, especially.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
If they want to keep this running game going.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
And then for DJ, a guy who's kind of battled
through a lot of injuries here in the last couple
of weeks, both personal and other stuff. You have to
be encouraged that he just kind of continued us to
fight on and you know, find a way to be
out there for his team.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Yeah, I tell you, the one guy you never hoped
the season would, You'd have to say at one point
in the season that nay Shawn Right is an important
guy to this, but he is now and you know, uh,
this is this speaks to the to the depth and
how it's been depleted in the secondary. So nay Seawan,
you know again, he's made a couple of plays here
(09:25):
this year and you know that's that's probably two more
than you probably thought you'd get out of him going
to the season, or hope you'd have to get out
of him. But he's becoming an important part here. And
you know, the key to me going going forward and
for Sunday is is can Kyler Gordon go and can
he be one hundred percent? Because I don't want to
(09:46):
tease it too much, but he might be the most
important guy in the defense come comes Sunday.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Just to wrap up the injury report here, some other
major name Shremaine Edmond's got added with an ankle injury.
He was limited.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
We'll see how much that's going to impact him.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Greedy Jared was a full participant with the d injury,
so that's really encouraging to see. Cairo Santeles was also
a full participant, so that's really encouraging to see as well.
And the other thing Joe, your guy, Austin Booker. He's
got the last few days here to get off injured reserve.
His twenty one day window is going to close here,
(10:21):
I think by Monday, because they activated him a couple
of weeks on Mondays. So it'll be really interesting to
see what they do with Austin Booker because you know,
if he's not able to play, he's out for the
rest of the season on injured reserve. And Ben was
asked about Austin earlier this I think it was this
week he was asked about Austin Booker. He didn't see,
(10:43):
said there wasn't a stepback. He you know, they feel
completely good about the guts stand up. They think he's
progressing nicely and he's going to be able to help us.
So maybe they activate him this weekend, but this will
be the last week and the Austin Booker can get
activated or he's uh, he's lost for the season.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Well, I asked you after we got done with the
podcasts the other day about you know, because sometimes you
have to even as reporters who are at Hallis Hall
every day covering the team, you got to read between
the lines sometimes, right, And uh, I'm wondering Austin Bookers,
is he not one hundred percent healthy with the knee
or is he Yeah, he's healthy. We just haven't seen
(11:19):
enough whether it's a motor issue, because he certainly plays
with a motor when he's on the field. Has he
just not been good enough? Because all of a sudden,
I mean, that's a guy you spent what a fourth
round pick? Was he a fifth rounder or fourth question? Pardon?
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Get you drafted back in last year for a fifth
round pick together.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
The fifth round or so. And he's flashed certainly in
the preseason, the last two preseasons, but all of a sudden,
if he's out for the year, that's another guy, and
that's another guy another position where you're not getting anything
out of You're not You're not getting anything out of
that pick. This is two wasted years essentially for him.
Now he goes into year three, is he Is he
(11:57):
another guy you're gonna we're gonna forget about, you know
a few years down the road, say oh, yeah, I
remember him. He never turned out like so many guys.
That's big because I get a little excited because I
saw what he did in the preseason, Like maybe this
is the guy. He looks the part plays with the
high motor, and all of a sudden, now we're at
the halfway point and he's potentially done for the year
(12:21):
for for either I gotta believe the knee is good enough, right,
he's healthy enough, he's participant.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Yeah, he's been a full participant here the the ever
ever since they activated him or put him, you know,
a lot of him to practice in the twenty one
day window. Like, he's been a full participant, so it
hasn't been that he's been limited. So, you know, I
maybe we'll get some more clarity from Ben. You know,
this afternoon when we kind of talked to him about
whether they plan on activating him. I think he's gonna
(12:50):
say he's not gonna tell us, Like I like this
just Ben's way. He's not gonna tell us how they
do it. But yeah, I think unless there's some really wronggoing,
I would imagine that he gets activated this weekend. And
if not, then we'll have to dissect that a little
bit here moving forward, because he was a you know,
they they they took him in the fifth round.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
They thought that they can maybe stole him away.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
They took him, you know, they they felt that you know,
he's got a year of development under his you know,
under under his belt, and he can really become something
special because they took him a year early, maybe than
most people would have. So it'll be interesting to see
because that that that's a pick that kind of needs
the hit because at this point, other than Caleb and Rome,
(13:34):
none of those picks are really hitting for you last year.
And Cairo's going to be back, Joe, I would assume
like we'll hear back from Ben today. But if he
was a full participant today, unless he has a setback,
I think Cairo will be back.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
And I think, you know, Cairo's your.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Your starter here and you just kind of tip your
cap to Jake Moody for stepping in there, who has
really revitalized his career. And you know who may you know,
maybe another team is going to pick him up on
the practice squad now, because the Bears can only activate
him one more time off the practice squad before being
forced to put him on the active roster.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Yeah, I mean, I think helen upon another NFL team,
I mean, right, you're not gonna have no team keeps
two kickers on the active roster. So it's Carow's job
and after that shaky start, and we'll never know. Maybe
we will know way down the road if anyone really cares.
But you know, signing Jake to the practice squad to me,
(14:28):
I said at the time, And it's not a major storyline, certainly,
but if you're signing him to the practice squad, that
tells me you're seeing what the rest of us are
seeing with Cairo at the beginning of the year, when
it's like the distance issue is becoming an issue and
he wasn't as consistent and all right, man, let's take
(14:48):
a shot at this guy. Maybe it's the little spur
that Cairo needs, you know, on his butt there to say, hey,
hey man, you know every guy has to battle for
the job every day. You got to earn your job
every day. And maybe that that helped Kiro because he
certainly came back at the great game against the Raiders,
is going to beld him out many times when they
failed inside the thirty to get six points. Jake gets
(15:09):
a shot, I gets a shot here, and he certainly
has delivered. And you know, with again, kickers are like
relief pitchers in baseball. You know, great one one year,
bad the next on a baseball come back, lead the
league in saves. It's just it's just crazy, the life
of a kicker. H And Jake's gonna get another opportunity,
and it might be next week. A lot of teams
(15:33):
have kicking issues, and I think Jake has certainly showed
that he can kick in this league. I know it's
only two games, but he's gonna get an opportunity. It's
just probably not gonna be with with the Bears again.
If Cairo is good to go, cj chiming in here,
and you know, I don't want to spend too much
time on the kicker here, but you know he's saying,
I'm sorry, Cairo is more likely to be available than Moody.
(15:54):
Why not keep Moody and grab Cairo if needed? I
you know, Cairo like with me.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Even at the beginning of the year, when Joe is
trashing Cairo every single week, I think, uh, I think
Cairo's way underappreciated amongst the fan base. Sure I can
see that, you know, I know he missed a couple
extra long kicks, but he's the franchise's most accurate kicker.
Like I don't I don't you know understand the you know, obviously,
(16:22):
not the sports hatred toward him. Like, I think he's
a really good kicker. I think Jake Moody fit you know,
the role.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
He did a good.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Job and he hit a lot of you know things,
But I I think Cairo Cairo is a good kicker.
He's your starter. Jake Moody fit the role. You don't
put two kickers out there. You don't put kicker. You
don't put Cairo on for the practice squad because someone's
gonna snag Cairo.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Like I don't.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
That's not someone is much more likely to snag Cairo
than they are to snag Jake Moody in my opinion,
So I I think you appreciate what Kiro, what Jake
Moody did for your team. He stepped up for you
in the big moment and obviously against the Commanders, and
he did well against the the Saints. But Cairo's your
kicker at this point unless he shows any sort of regression.
(17:09):
And that's enough kicker talk for this podcast.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
All right, Joe, one more. It's just funny though you
like you like Cairo more than I do, and I
like Tory Taylor more than you do, So all right,
I don't have anything.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
I don't have anything against Tory. Tory is a great
guy to talk to in the locker room, and he
had a good game.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
He knocked in a couple of things. Again, that's enough
kicking talk.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
For here, all right, Bears are traveling to the Ravens.
Like I said, Baltimore one o'clock local time on neon
o'clock here. Obviously, Joe, big matchup here. What's what's your
key matchup they're going to be watching here on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
It's got to be the quarterback, right, their quarterback, whoever
it is, against this secondary with eleven interceptions, which I mean,
they're at this crazy pace, you know, through six games.
So if it's Lamar, I think even if it's Lamar,
I I don't think that you know, they're gonna get
four turnovers necessarily again and three interceptions, But I still
(18:09):
think they'll find a way to make some plays in
the secondary even if it's Lamar. But that that's the
question that if it's Cooper Rush or Tyler Hontley, well
then you know all bets are off here and you
still got to be able to take advantage of that guy,
because I mean, that's you look at that Baltimore team,
like you said, I mean one in five, and it's
it's not a good indication of who they are. We
(18:31):
want we know how good this franchise is. I hear
the one of five start their worst starting franchise history.
I mean, one in five is bad. But it's not
like we've said a lot of Bears teams I would
think over the years that are going one in five.
So that speaks to how good that organization consistent it is.
But to me that that situation there with Lamar against
(18:52):
this secondary and because the secondary look the past rush
and the front seven is just well at Edmunds and
Edwards have played well uh this year TJ when he's
been playing that is uh. But but to me it's
it's can you get some turnovers? At least two? I
mean two would be good and and I want to
(19:13):
see that. But you know, look, we don't get to
see Lamar Jackson every year as Bears fans. You see
my TV a lot. But he's a dynamic player. Two
time MVP could have won it last year, Josh Allen
got it. So I just want to see and truthfully,
I want to see him play. I don't like you
take like any team, right, you want to play the best.
(19:34):
You know, when you play the Packers, you want to
play Jordan Love. You don't. You don't want him. You know,
when they played Aaron Rodgers, I wanted Aaron Rodgers to
be healthy in play. You got to beat the best.
So I want to see Lamar Jackson play. I want
to see him close to one hundred percent. I don't
want to see the Bears beat him. If they do,
that is a definite statement, uh, game for them and
a confidence builder're going forward. Uh So that's that's what
(19:55):
I want to see. Uh And if it's Cooper Rush,
so be it, attack him, get out of there with
the winning You have to win that football game. But
I want to see Lamar and I want to see
how good this secondary, although it's really depleted, like we
talked at the beginning of the show here, so that's
you got to consider that too. But I to me,
it's it's it's the quarterback, their quarterback against the Bears secondary.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
I'm gonna go with the obvious statement here, but Lamar
Jackson is really hard to stop full stop like that.
That that that's just you know, Dennis Allen was asked
about it, and he's and you know they're asking, you know,
we were asking him about you know, do you want
him to go side to side? Do you want him
to whatever? Like how do you limit him? And Dennis
Allen's kind of like, I don't think you want him
to do anything, Like that's the problem, right, Like if
you force them, Like if you if you pressure him
(20:44):
in the pocket and you force him to run, he
hurts you there. If you force him to stay in
the pocket because you know you're you're limiting his options
on running, then he he hurts you there like he
hurts you no matter what you do as a defense, right,
And that that's what makes him such a great quarterback.
And why is a two time MVP in this league
And you know could have rightfully, like you said, Joe
be a three time MVP if you know, Josh Allen
(21:06):
didn't you know, have the season that he had last year.
So he's gonna be an incredible player to stop. And
I'm excited to watch him, you know, play in person,
just to kind of see you know what makes like
you get to see like greatness in person, Like that's
a really cool opportunity just to kind of see what
he's able to do. So yeah, I'm really interested to
see what Dennis Allen is able to scheme up here.
(21:28):
You got to get much more pressure out of your
defensive line, like we talked about last week. They got
Kyler Gordon and Jakwan Prisker involved. I don't know how
much you're gonna be able to do that because I
think you're gonna have to drop them back in coverage
right to kind of you know, protect and kind of
you know. I don't think you're gonna be able to
do what you did against the Saints with the Ravens,
So this secondary is really going to have to step up.
(21:49):
I don't my surprise prediction isn't going to be that
they're going to have four or three turnovers, you know.
Can they force one against Derrick Henry? And maybe they
if they get after Lamar, especially if he's a little
bit slower than he normally is because of the hamstring,
that'd be great. But you need your defense to limits
the damage. And that's especially in the secondary because if
(22:11):
you if you let Lamar pick up ten yards here,
fifteen yards here on passes, like he's just going to
move the ball, down the field. He's going to take
what you're giving him. You might take away the big
play away from him, but he's going to take those
ten to fifteen yard passes and that's just going to
move the ball down the field. So you're really gonna
need to come up with a game plan here to
kind of limit him, create some sort of pressure on him.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
And you know, maybe you're royal up. Maybe you do.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
You know, I'm not saying that you obviously, I'm not
saying to injure him, but maybe you do give him
a hit and you're kind of like, all right, like
maybe you question how you know mobile you want to be,
especially with that hamstring injury. But it's going to be
an incredibly tough task and I'm really interested to see,
you know, what Dennis Allen does with the scheme to
you know, maybe that's confusing Lamar. I don't know how
(22:55):
much you can confuse Lamar at this point, but you know,
kind of throw a wrench into anything that he does.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Yeah, and they need to see more production. We've been
saying it all year. I've been saying it all year
from the front four. You know, having Grady Jarrett backed,
that'll be nice because so I don't know how much
he's got left in the tank, injury or not. And
then io Odegbo, if we mentioned his name since week one,
(23:21):
I mean after he had that sack for like a
few yards against Minnesota, we got to see more him
him making plays getting to the quarterback. At least Montege
who hasn't had a good year, but at least now
back to back games, he showed a little bit. And
you're noticing him more during games where I where are you? Man?
(23:44):
But they got to start figuring this out a little more.
And especially if you're not gonna be blitzing from the
secondary with Brisker or Gordon, you gotta get some pressure
on him. And I just got to believe if you're Lamar,
you're coming off a hamstring injury. You know how it
is with injuries. You come back from one, whether it's
been a week, two weeks, a month. You got to
(24:06):
gain the trust again in your body that your body
will sure will handle it. You know, because you're there,
you're gonna be a little tentative, like especially that game.
You know football, you can't play it at eighty percent.
You got to be one hundred percent. So if he
thinks he's you know, he's he's got to play one
hundred percent if they get some pressure on him where
maybe he's got to scramble and do some lamar things.
He's got to be thinking careful. Now, don't don't ring
(24:29):
you that hamstering. We know sensitive hamstring injuries are, So
I'm gonna be curious, like maybe he he will peel
back a little bit, Maybe maybe he reinjures it. You
don't want to see that either, but you gotta you
can't just let him sit in the pocket all day
or he's not even thinking about it, because that's a problem.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
Then yeah, he'll abuse you, like he'll he'll just take
advantage of whatever you give him if you let him
stay in the pocket, especially if he's got three or
four seconds, like he's gonna find something. And I think
that's where things can get really ugly, really quickly. So
that'll be a big thing to watch and we'll obviously
keep an eye on that. My big matchup, obviously is
the rebound from Caleb. You know, obviously last week was
(25:10):
his you know, season worse performance. You know, he was
just off on the rhythm, wasn't there in the passing
game at all, and I'm really interested to see how
he does against this you know, this this Ravens defense
that I don't think, you know, the Ravens defense doesn't
have much of a pass rush. They got a bunch
of older guys on their defensive line, so I think
Caleb will have time. But the listen, listen, the Bears
(25:34):
are the The raven secondary is really good. You got
you know, safety as Malachi Starks, Kyle Hamilton or Hamilton
Hamilton or is obviously a a Pro Bowl, All Pro guy.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
Marlon Humphrey, you know, I.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Think he's the one who's been dealing with a with
an illness this week, but he should be playing. He's
an All Pro, Pro Bowl guy. Like the raven secondary
is really talented and really good. Obviously, you know Rocan
Smith Bears fans Dome. He should be coming back from
a hamstring injury here. He's been a full participant and
I would expect him to play. Like the Ravens secondary
(26:10):
is really talented. So I'm really watched. I'm really curious
to see, you know, what Ben's schemes up here to
kind of create some open lanes for Caleb and whether
this is a game where maybe Caleb does throw an
interception or two or whether he airs it out. I
think this will be a really good test for him
where maybe he doesn't have too much pressure, but is
he able to find the open lanes against a really
(26:32):
elite secondary.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Yeah, this game is important for him and he needs
to find his confidence because and I don't care what
he'll say to you, what Ben Johnson will say to you.
Maybe Ben Johnson, you know, he's pretty straightforward, it seems
like with the media. But Kilub needs a bounce back
game here, and maybe they lose, but he bounces back,
(26:54):
you know, maybe has a good game and they lose
because you know, as we've said from day one, it's
about the quarterback. Because it's funny I was thinking about
after last week, like, is it possible the Bears could
at the end of the season, Bears fans could say
we're in the we're headed in the right direction, we
have the head coach, it's coming together, But the quarterback
(27:18):
is still a question because you figure before it's all about, well,
if the quarterback is good to go, then they're headed
in the right direction. Now maybe is the rest of
it and headed in the right direction and the quarterback
is And again it's one game, and he hasn't been
great this year. He's been pretty good though other than
last the last week. So it's an important game for him.
And I just want to like, let's let's stop be tentative.
(27:39):
Let's not just do this screen gun the ball downfield. Man,
you have the big arm, you're a big boys. It's
year one and a half now for you here, let's go.
So I think it's important. And again, that's a good
secondary there in Baltimore. And you know, they're way better
if they're if they're healthy, if all their key guys
(27:59):
are are playing Sunday, you're you're you're getting the Ravens
from last year, not the Ravens from this year. But
he needs to step up in a game like this
against this team because everyone's always create Baltimore. You know,
they're they're always you know, the top subject on a broadcast,
(28:20):
on a podcast, uh, because because of what they've done.
So he needs to have a big game come Sunday.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
There's a big proven moment for him, right Like I
I don't think that this season is going to define
who he is by any means, but I think it
tells us on which direction he's going right, like I think,
I think, you know, I feel like I wrote a
couple of stories about Caleb this week, and my main
focus point has been like, you know, the whole like
the you know, progress is in Lindear Like they're gonna
be highs and lows, like that's just how life is
(28:48):
and any and anything right in sports and your personal
development and work or whatever. And that's the same thing
for the quarterback development. So you know, you have the
highs you know of winning against Dallas. You know, you
won back to back games in the last you know
play against the Raiders and the Commanders. Then you had
a lower game, like you relied on the run game
and you relied on the defense against the Saints. Now's
(29:09):
a good opportunity to get back on the upper trajectory
and to kind of continue that development against a really
talented defensive scheme, players all the above. Like that's a
really good defense, and this is a really good opportunity
for Caleb to kind of show out in front of
I don't think it's a national audience because it'll be
a noon game, but I would imagine a good chunk
of the nation gainst that game. On CBS at noon.
(29:33):
All Right, Joe, what is your surprise prediction for Sunday.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
My surprise prediction for Sunday is that Caleb will have
a good game. I'm not saying he's gonna throw for
three fifty and three touchdowns and they're gonna win by ten,
But I think we'll have a good game. I think
they'll find a way. And I think this coaching staff
a small sample side, but we've already seen like like
they know what they need to work on it. I
(29:58):
mean we're not telling them anything they don't know, and
I think they address it and they and they figure
it out. And I do believe although as we mentioned
with Caleb that progress isn't linear all the time, I do.
I do think of a way it is with this
coaching staff. I think you're seeing like they're they're giving
them more time, get getting to know their personnel better.
They have another week, another belt that they're they're figuring
(30:19):
things out. They're smart coaches, not only Ben uh and
Dennis Allen, but but the assistants they have, So I
I am encouraged by that. But I think Caleb will
We'll have a good game and.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
We'll see, Yeah, I'm kind of them to say, mind,
I don't think you lose Sunday because of Caleb. I
don't think this that doesn't feel like a game you
lose because of him, But I do it does feel like, uh,
I agree with you with them with the mindset of
this coaching staff is going to get this team ready.
I think you've seen this every single week. I know
Ben likes to say, you know, I wish I had
(30:53):
a couple of play golls back he could. I think
Ben is very I think any time anything goes wrong,
I feel like he's like first to say I could
have done a better job. Like he's the first to
take accountability, which I know, I know players appreciate because
that obviously wasn't a thing that happened often last year,
you know, during last year's five and twelve team. But
(31:14):
I think that this coaching staff takes accountability and they
get their guys ready. So I think that'll be a
big part of that Jojo. I think that they put
Caleb in a good spot to succeed. They put him
in good positions, and they'll piggyback off of that. I
think we're gonna see a few trick plays. I think
we're going to see. My surprise prediction is you're going
(31:34):
to see a few trick plays. I don't know if
you see the stumble bump, but I do think that
this is a game in a moment where Ben Johnson
is gonna want to do some trick plays and he's
gonna want to get different guys involved, whether that's Luther Burden,
whether that's Coast to Loveland, or whether you know. I
think you know, last week, we really didn't see anything.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
Too crazy.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
I don't think he wanted to reinvent the wheel or
anything like that. In a not it wasn't a sloppy thing,
but it wasn't the best circumstances. So my surprise prediction
is that you're gonna get at least one, if not
to trick plays from Ben Johnson as he tries to
keep this thing, you know, keep this thing going. En
(32:14):
No offensive penalties that will be I mean that's gonna
be a big key if you want to win this game.
You cannot have offensive penalties, especially in especially in the
red zone. Rick Chiming in my surprise is no sacks
allowed by the Bears.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
I like that.
Speaker 1 (32:29):
I think I would go with that. I think this
offensive line has been playing much better than it has
in the past, and like we said earlier, this pass
rush from the Ravens isn't that great? All right, Joe,
We're gonna go to our most valuable bear here. You
won your first matchup of the week last week, after
we gave you a hard time for choosing the kicker
Jake Moody. You ended up winning that matchup, So now
(32:51):
you got your first win on the board.
Speaker 2 (32:53):
You are I thought I got one when I got Klo.
Didn't I get that week? Did I get? Oh? And
you did? You did?
Speaker 1 (32:59):
You did?
Speaker 2 (33:00):
I forgot I'm I'm I forgot at the end of
the season. By season, I forgot it.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
I forgot that. I I remember earlier in the week,
I was like, oh, I have the same record as
the Bears do four and two. That's you're right, You're right,
all right, So you're I'm was still winning four to two.
But you got your win against with uh with Jake Moody,
which is still a crazy pick, but obviously it worked
for you.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
All right.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
You chose first last week, so I'm gonna go first
this week. How many weeks do we have left in
the season, We're in Week eight, right.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
Yeah, I don't know if I want to.
Speaker 1 (33:33):
I'm still deciding when I want to use my caliber,
when when I want to save it for the end.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Of the year.
Speaker 1 (33:38):
I've gonna I'm gonna skip the quarterback this week, but
he's gonna be a big reason why I'm going with
Coast of Loveland. I think that this is a game
that the Bears are going to I think Ben Johnson
is going to focus in on Coast and Loveland. You
saw that he started to do that in Week three
against the Cowboys before he got that himp injury and
that kind of derailed him. I think you needed to
see him be more of a run blocker against the
(34:01):
Commanders and especially against the Saints last couple of weeks.
But with Cole Comet out there, I think that the
Ravens are going to focus in on Rome of Doomsday
and DJ Moore, and I think that really opens things
up for Colston Lovelin. I think he's I think Ben
Jonson is gonna get him involved. That's going That's been
a big focal point for the team this week. It's
gonna be my Saturday feature, you know, talking about Colston
(34:21):
Lovelin taking advantage of the moment. So I my most
value bear is going to be Colston Lovelin. This feels
like a breakout game for him, especially with Cole not
out there.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
That's a good one. I'd be all for it. I'd
be all for it seeing what this kid can can do.
So that and he will have that game. He will
have that game. Whether it's Sunday, I'm not sure. But
when it does, we're gonna love it. Because he really
looks the part and and the few opportunities he's received.
(34:54):
It looks good. Right. It's like with Luther Burden. And
just to backtrack a little bit, I love the surprise prediction.
But was it? Was it CJ about no penalties? That
would be a big one by the way, So.
Speaker 1 (35:10):
Yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
Was your most valuable bear? My most valuable bear? I
I'm just not overly I said. I think Caleb's gonna
have a big game, all right. I said that, So
I will go with an offensive player. I'm gonna go
with DeAndre Swift. If I burned him the DeAndre Swift
card yet maybe I did, Well, you can use them,
you can use them again. I'm gonna go DeAndre Swift.
(35:33):
You know, he's not gonna rush for one hundred every week.
If so, he's against this defense.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
That's the other thing we haven't talked about, Like this
run defense is not that great by the Ravens. So
I don't I don't hate that pick at all.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Yes, I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go with DeAndre. Uh.
You know, these two games have really been impressive these
last two weeks, and he's not gonna do this every week.
If so, he probably threatened Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record.
You know, you average hundred and ten yards a game
every week or whatever. But I have to do the
math there. Well, you probably still wouldn't get catch Eric Dickerson.
(36:06):
That was still crazy two thousand plus yards. But at
any event, I'll go with DeAndre. I he's been he
was like he's the it guy right now for this offense.
Even when he gets the ball on a pass from Caleb,
you know he's able to shake him, bake a little
bit and do something. So I'll go with DeAndre Swift.
Speaker 1 (36:25):
Him and Kyle have really stepped up here in the
last couple of weeks, and I think you're gonna you
need to do that right, Like you need to force
the Ravens to defend the run in order to open.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
Things up in the past game. So yeah, I like
that pick a lot.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
I was debating whether to go with it, but you know,
I kind of went against the trend. I was kind
of like, well, it can't be three straight weeks, but
I was doubting. Well, I was doubting DeAndre the last
couple of weeks and look look where that got me.
So I I like that pick.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
I think that.
Speaker 1 (36:55):
This running game has figured something out. This run defense
from the Ravens is not good. This offense line is
really hitting it well. You know, Darnall Wright is really
hitting his stride right now on the right tackle side,
and you know it's interesting. We got a chance to
talk with d Androshar yesterday and you know, he talked
about this is in my takeaways if you guys want
to check it out from from Thursday and talking about
(37:15):
you know, Darnell can still get another level if he
uses his injured arm, which was really interesting to see
hear him talk about. But yeah, I think that this
running attack is really going to go off and kind
of continue that. So it'll be that I think I
like that pick CJ.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
Chiming in.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
He's going with Burden come out with the woodwork for
another one hundred yards. He could definitely be involved in those,
in those trick plays that I was talking about earlier.
So I like that pick CJ. Robert's going with my
most value, Barry's going to with Colston Lovelin, and Rick
going with DJ Moore.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Dj Moore obviously has been a little bit quiet.
Speaker 1 (37:51):
You know, he's been injured. So yeah, I could see,
especially with the trick plays, if you want to get
him some YAC opportunities. I can see DJ getting involved
in there too, So I like that pick Rick. All right, Joe,
noon on Sunday game is on CBS. Bears are playing
at the Baltimore Ravens. I think the weather forecast is
supposed to be a beautiful fall day for football, So
(38:12):
that's good to hear what happens on Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
Joe, Well, I think Lamar is gonna play. They can't
go to one in six. I know this. The AFC
North is not the AFC North as it was last year.
You know, you know, Joy Burrow out and I don't
know it is Pittsburgh gonna win that division. You know,
were they four and two. But Baltimore needs this football game.
(38:36):
If again, but if if the other quarterbacks have to play,
then there their season's frobably done. But I think Lamar
is gonna play. I think Baltimore wins. It just seems
like the Bears are due for a loss after four
in a row and uh, you know, two tight ones
in between there. So I think Baltimore wins. Final score,
(38:58):
I think they drop twenty eight out of them, twenty eight,
twenty two, twenty.
Speaker 1 (39:03):
Eight, twenty two. Yeah, I'm kind of the same mindset
where for you where it's already tough for Baltimore to
come back after one and five, but and what in
six year season is done, Like it's almost impossible you
would have to win out at that point. So this
is a big game for Baltimore. Lamar is coming back,
this is a home game. I agree. It's just everything
(39:23):
just points to this is just a game that Baltimore
is gonna win.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
I think the spread has been six and a half for.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
Most of this week. I don't think it's that big.
I think the Bears keep this interesting for the most part.
But I just think that Lamar is back. I think
he's gonna air it out. I think he's able to
kind of keep things listen, he's the most valuable player
even if he's hurt, Like he can make incredible plays
even when he's not at one hundred percent. And I think,
(39:51):
you know, jayde and Daniels took advantage of the Bears
a little bit sometimes in the Monday Night game, Jared
Goff went off on the Bears. He took advantage of
them pretty easily. So and Dak Prescott, you know, at
times before he threw those three interceptions, you know, looked
really good too against his Bear secondary. So I'm kind
of in a proven mode with this Bears secondary. I
(40:12):
know they forced turnovers, but you're not going to force
four turnovers every single game. So I think this is
a game that Baltimore just needs and kind of picks
up a huge win.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
I'll go with.
Speaker 1 (40:24):
I like the twenty eighth, Well yeah, I'll go with
the twenty eight for the Ravens. I think it's a
twenty eight to twenty four win for the Ravens. I
think the Bears have an opportunity late in that game,
but can't convert. So Bears drop their first game in
over a month. But I think it's competitive, which will
be encouraging. I think you're gonna see some good performances
(40:46):
from the Bears. I just think that Baltimore has too
much to play for at this point. Rick chiming in
he's going with the Bears twenty seven to twenty four.
Speaker 2 (40:54):
Robert doesn't like our predictions.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
He's going with Boo. But yeah, I think.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
It'll bit like like.
Speaker 1 (41:02):
I think, you know, Joe, obviously you don't want to
take solace in losing like the Bears. But the Bears
are kind of at a point right now where I
think if you're competitive on the road, if you win
the game, great. I think if you would win this game,
obviously that's great for morale. That's a big step for
this program for Ben Johnson in his first year. But
this really feels like a game where you can't get
(41:24):
blown out. I think you're really feeling bad in this
game if the Ravens put it on you and your
offense has no clues. If you lose this game like
we said, twenty to twenty four, or you know, twenty
eight to twenty two like you said, then I think
you leave that game. You're like Baltimore had a lot
to play for. They still have the most valuable player
heading into this game. You know, into the season, we
(41:45):
would have said that this this is obviously a super
Bowl contender. So I you know, I don't if they
lose this game close, I'm not too worried about it
and what it means for the season.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
Yeah, it's still big picture with the Bears. Right there
is the quarterback progressing. Are the rookies playing? Are they
showing like, yeah, they got the right guys. They picked
the right guy that that still matters going forward. And
let's clean up the dang penalties. They almost swore. Let's
clean up the penalties. This is too much. I don't
(42:22):
want to be talking about this again come Monday, Like, yeah,
another eight penalties for ninety two yards? No more, no more,
clean it up. I know it's on the road, it's tougher,
but you were at home and it was still bad.
So let's let's play a clean football game and see
where see where that takes the team. Right, Let's let's
see how they they look when they can clean it up.
(42:43):
Not that they'd be perfect, but it should be much better.
Speaker 1 (42:47):
Yeah, I think you wanted to look good, right Like,
if it looks good and it comes down to a
player or two and you just can't convert, then I
think you're fine with that. I think you're like, Okay,
they're the Ravens, They're Super Bowl contender without all these injuries.
The Bears are still in their first year with the
new coach still developing. But if it looks bad, I
think there are gonna be a lot of questions on
Monday when we talk to you folks. Rick chiming in
(43:09):
with our last question before we say goodbye. If the
Bears lose, is the Bengals game and must win? You know,
I don't know if you can have a must win
in the middle of the season. Joe Flaggo's played better.
I don't know if it's necessarily going to be a
layup by any means. And I don't think the Giants
are going to be a lay up either.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
I think that.
Speaker 1 (43:26):
But the Bears lose on Sunday and they have hopes
of making the playoffs, that's a game that I think
they have to they have to win if they have
any hopes of making the playoffs, because any of the
Giants and then you enter that really tough stretch where
you play the Vikings, the Packers twice, the Eagles, the
forty nine Ers, and Detroit. Again. I know Cleveland's and
Steelers obviously, and I know Cleveland's in there, but that
(43:49):
second half of the schedule is not great. So I guess, Rick,
if you have any hopes of making the playoffs, I
guess it kind of is a must win next week.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
Yep, agree with that. I mean, if they lose, you know,
that's a Bengals team again, it's gonna be without their quarterback,
but you got you gotta beat them. But it's like,
in a way, I think the more I think about
like a must win for the Bears are other must
wins this season because we're not anticipating them making the playoffs. Now.
(44:22):
If they beat Baltimore here, however, way on Sunday, all
of a sudden, you're what five and two? What's my math?
The five and two? Now, all of a sudden, you're like,
five and two, we beat since they we're six and two.
Not to get too far ahead. We did that last
year and I saw what happened. Uh. Now you're like, hey, man,
playoffs are one hundred percent on the radar and they'd
(44:44):
be disappointed if you're six and two and you don't
make the playoffs. I'm way ahead of myself.
Speaker 1 (44:48):
You're jumping on here, Joe, you're around drivings. Now I'm done.
We can we can have that conversation on Monday of
the Bears, but we can. We'll let you go down
that if they win on a little but I don't
want you to waste your breath now if we get
if we end up getting CJ's prediction, which is a
twenty four to ten Ravens win, got a boy. All right,
(45:13):
That's everything that we've got for you folks on this
Friday morning. Thanks so much for joining us. Thank you
to everyone who joined us on our live stream, and
really appreciate all the comments. Make sure you like us
while you're here. If you're watching this later, make sure
you like us and subscribe. That's the best way to
support us. We really appreciate your support. Love growing to
live stream and love gating comments and talking with you
guys here as well. So really appreciate you guys joining us.
(45:36):
If you're joining us on the podcast, thanks so much
for listening. Make sure you also subscribe wherever you listen
to podcasts. If you want to be part of the
live conversation, make sure you check out our social media
as we'll usually post. We usually do Friday morning and
Monday morning sometimes, you know. Obviously the schedule changes Bears
and depending on the Bears schedule and obviously my travel schedule,
so we'll get that figured out for you folks. I'm
(45:58):
traveling back Monday morning, so we might have to do
an afternoon podcast, but make sure you're following us on
social media and we'll give you an exact time. Make
sure you're following me at m Duo Jack ninety four
on all social media, so I'll have your coverage from
Baltimore this weekend and from hell Us Hall this afternoon,
and follow at Joe Aguilar at Joe Aguilar at sixty
four at Joe Agular sixty four on Twitter. He's got
(46:21):
your week nine high school football coverage. The playoffs are
around the corner. It is cold as heck out there,
so that means that the playoffs must be around here.
Joe will have your breakdown as the playoffs start here
in the mckendrey County area, so make sure you're following him.
So thanks so much for joining us on this Friday morning.
The weather looks beautiful out there, so make sure you
enjoyed and hopefully you guys enjoy Friday afternoon, Friday afternoon's game,
(46:47):
and we will talk to you folks down the road
Hello, and welcome to the Shaw Local Bears Insider podcast.
I am Chicago Bears report of Michael Duo Jack here
with the Northwest Heralds Joe Aguilar as we join you
guys on Friday morning. The Bears are traveling back to
the mid Atlantic, where they'll play the Baltimore Ravens on
Sunday afternoon, a good test for the Bears. Who you know, Sure,
(00:24):
the the Ravens are one and five, but let's not
pretend like these are the Ravens, and let's just say
the sayings from last week. These are two different teams,
especially with Joe. If you know, the Ravens are getting
a bunch of guys back, but then the major guy
is Lamar Jackson looks to be coming back here on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Yeah, that's that's everything we talk about going forward here
in this podcast. Is Scully the final score and keys.
It's all revolving around him, the two time MVP of
the league. So yeah, it looks like he's gonna play
all right. He participated a little bit this week, probably
just being cautious, right and probably like a game time decision,
(01:07):
I would assume. But if he's good to go, when
he wakes up Sunday morning, if he's feeling good, he'll
he'll be a goal. Then the question is how effective
is he's missed the last two games for them, and
you know, will he be a little tentative with the hamstring.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Yeah, we'll break that all down here as we kind
of look forward. Thanks to everyone who's joining us on
the live stream. Appreciate it. Make sure you guys give
us a like and subscribe. That's the best way to
support us and help the YouTube channel grow. And you loo,
if you're listening to us on the podcast and want
to be part of the conversation, make sure you check
out our social media as we'll always post. We like
to do this every Monday and Friday morning just to
(01:46):
kind of break down and preview the game. But if
you want to be part of the conversation, make sure
you join us on the live stream like some of
our our regulars usually do so.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Joe, obviously a big game.
Speaker 1 (01:57):
Bears have won four straight games, a lot of momentum
on their side, But this really feels like a gay,
like a prove it game. I feel like, you know,
I think the spread is still at what six and
a half at this point, and that's with the with
the understanding that I think I think the sportsbooks think
that Lamar is gonna play. But Joe, this, you know,
(02:19):
this really feels like a game where the Bears, you know,
need to go to Baltimore and show that they are
there for a game winning streak.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:26):
I feel like this is a really big test for
them to prove, you know, whether they win this game
or make it a close game, at least prove that
they've taken a step here under Ben Johnson.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
I agree. Now, if Lamar doesn't play, you know, they
gotta beat Cooper Rush or Tyler hunt lea quarterback. But
if Lamar plays, even if it's not one hundred percent
of Lamar, you know, that would be huge. And I think,
especially after we talked after the Saints game, board didn't
feel like a route even though they won by double digits.
(02:58):
It just, you know, Caleb Bush great, maybe his worst
game of the season, so I think he needs to
have a good game. And certainly if they and they're
starting out, the national media is starting to buy in
a little bit, right Ben Jonson. All the hype videos
after victories, and you know, they've won four in a row,
and they deserve some accolades now or some praise nationally
(03:20):
especially and now people are starting to notice them a
little bit. But if they go here in lant A
and LeVar you know, shows his health and he throws
for three hundred and rushes for fifty or something, it's
not going to look good. So it is an important
game for them, especially on the road.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
All right, let's look at the injury report here. We're
recording this or we're you know, we're joining you guys
Friday morning. We'll get the final injury report here Friday
afternoon with designations. But it was a it's a packed
injury report. Let's start off with Cole Combat and Tyreek Stevenson.
Those guys have not practiced all week. Cole's got it
(03:56):
back and Tyreek has a shoulder, and those two guys
seem you know, if I had a guess at this point,
I don't think they're playing on on on Sunday. You know, obviously,
you know, either one of those guys can come back
on Friday and maybe, you know, maybe they'll be a
little bit more questionable. But you know, when Ben was
asked about it on Monday, you know, he called it
(04:17):
a day to day, week to week thing. So my
interpretation of that being I would say anytime you throw
a week to week I think you probably miss at
least one game. We haven't seen Cole this week at
practice or in the locker room. We haven't seen Tyreek
at practice, and I think maybe someone saw him for
a moment in the locker room. But listen, Joe, I
(04:37):
mean this really for both Cole and Tyreek. I mean
those are big holes to fill. Obviously, with Cole you
have Colston, who you know, a lot of guys have
been looking forward to kind of seeing if he can
take the next step, and he's the obvious guy who's
gonna take over. But for Tyreek, I mean, if Tyreek
doesn't play on Sunday, you already have a depleted cornerback
(04:58):
room with Jalen Johnson see out for the indefinite time.
How do you approach this? I get or I guess,
how would you approach this? I mean, Kyler Gordon has
shown you that he can play a little bit outside.
Maybe you just put Nick McCloud there. Do you put
Josh Blackwell there? You know they have good depth to
be there, but to be missing two starters now at
this point in Tyreek can't play. It's a it's a
(05:21):
really interesting you know thing that Dennis Allen is going
to have to look at here.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, this is tough. I mean, the injury to Tyreek
is more disappointing or concerning I think as a Bears
fan than the loss of Cole Kmet. I mean, they've
They've got Colston Loblin for a reason, and there was
a reason why they drafted him tenth overall, so he
it's his time. Then if Cole isn't ready, and Cole
is you know, hasn't been great this year, but Tyreek,
(05:46):
who's had a good year, I mean, you know, and
again they're so depleted. They had good depth in August
and since then it's really gone downhill here and there's
only so much you can do. So they the question
of whether Lamar Jackson is going to play today, that's
even that Loom's even bigger if he is gonna play,
because this secondary at this point, what do you do?
(06:07):
They'll say, next man up? But my goodness, they're gonna
be playing guys at some point in the game. That again,
like the average Bears fan hasn't even heard of. Uh,
But I think you probably have to move Kyler if
he's healthy, because didn't he miss did he miss a
practice this week? Or is that did I hear he
got thinged up a little?
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Kyler? Kyler was he was limited yesterday with the groin
and the calf. Like again, obviously we'll see on Friday
what that kind of means. The Friday injury report really
is the one that I kind of take a lot
of stock in. Obviously, on Wednesday and Thursday, like like
like yesterday, Joe too, he didn't practice for rest, Like
those are just the days that you kind of you know,
are precautionary. I think the Friday practices are the ones
(06:46):
where you're kind of like all right, like this will
tell us if someone plays or not. But yeah, Kyler
was added on to the to the injury report there
with the with the combo injury.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
Yeah, so hopefully he's good. If and if if Tyreek
can't go on, I would think he'd have to move
Kyler Gordon to outside and hope uh Cooper Rush is
the quarterback.
Speaker 1 (07:07):
Yeah, you definitely need to There are different a lot
of things you could do. CJ. Chiming in Jalen Jones
healthy haven't seen him since they signed him. Jalen Jones
had a hamstring injury there at the beginning of the
season for Lake. I think it was like a week
or two. But he is on the roster. I think
he should be healthy, so he's could be an option.
I think they'll probably look at Nick McCloud, Josh Blackwell,
(07:28):
those seem to be the guys that they'll probably look
at there if they don't want to put Kyler on
the outside the entire time. You know, obviously when Nasehan
Wright was out for a player or two against the Saints,
they kind of bumped him out there. But that'll be
interesting to see and well we'll hear more from Ben
but yeah, I mean that'll be a really interesting development
(07:49):
just to kind of see, you know.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
If Lamar plays. Even if you keep.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Them, you know, he doesn't want to run a lot
on that hamstring. I mean, Dennis Allen talked about it
and we'll talk about it on our but I mean,
you keep them in the pocket, that's not really a
good spot. You want to keep him in either, right,
because like if he's in the pocket, he can abuse
you and he can find the open receiver or he
can create plays. So yeah, that that secondary will be
really interesting to watch, especially if they're depleted the way
(08:16):
they happen. Naseean Ryant had a hip injury earlier in
the week. He was full on Thursday. I would assume
that he'll be fine. DJ Moore and DeAndre Swift have
both didn't practice on Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
DJ Moore's got a hip. DeAndre Swift has that groin
injury that he dealt with last week. Both were limited
on Thursday. I would assume that both are going to
be playing. They just felt like a management thing and
DJ what didn't seem too concerned about it when we
talked with him on Thursday. But Joe, those are two
really important players that the Bears need to have, especially.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
If they want to keep this running game going.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
And then for DJ, a guy who's kind of battled
through a lot of injuries here in the last couple
of weeks, both personal and other stuff. You have to
be encouraged that he just kind of continued us to
fight on and you know, find a way to be
out there for his team.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
Yeah, I tell you, the one guy you never hoped
the season would, You'd have to say at one point
in the season that nay Shawn Right is an important
guy to this, but he is now and you know, uh,
this is this speaks to the to the depth and
how it's been depleted in the secondary. So nay Seawan,
you know again, he's made a couple of plays here
(09:25):
this year and you know that's that's probably two more
than you probably thought you'd get out of him going
to the season, or hope you'd have to get out
of him. But he's becoming an important part here. And
you know, the key to me going going forward and
for Sunday is is can Kyler Gordon go and can
he be one hundred percent? Because I don't want to
(09:46):
tease it too much, but he might be the most
important guy in the defense come comes Sunday.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
Just to wrap up the injury report here, some other
major name Shremaine Edmond's got added with an ankle injury.
He was limited.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
We'll see how much that's going to impact him.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Greedy Jared was a full participant with the d injury,
so that's really encouraging to see. Cairo Santeles was also
a full participant, so that's really encouraging to see as well.
And the other thing Joe, your guy, Austin Booker. He's
got the last few days here to get off injured reserve.
His twenty one day window is going to close here,
(10:21):
I think by Monday, because they activated him a couple
of weeks on Mondays. So it'll be really interesting to
see what they do with Austin Booker because you know,
if he's not able to play, he's out for the
rest of the season on injured reserve. And Ben was
asked about Austin earlier this I think it was this
week he was asked about Austin Booker. He didn't see,
(10:43):
said there wasn't a stepback. He you know, they feel
completely good about the guts stand up. They think he's
progressing nicely and he's going to be able to help us.
So maybe they activate him this weekend, but this will
be the last week and the Austin Booker can get
activated or he's uh, he's lost for the season.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
Well, I asked you after we got done with the
podcasts the other day about you know, because sometimes you
have to even as reporters who are at Hallis Hall
every day covering the team, you got to read between
the lines sometimes, right, And uh, I'm wondering Austin Bookers,
is he not one hundred percent healthy with the knee
or is he Yeah, he's healthy. We just haven't seen
(11:19):
enough whether it's a motor issue, because he certainly plays
with a motor when he's on the field. Has he
just not been good enough? Because all of a sudden,
I mean, that's a guy you spent what a fourth
round pick? Was he a fifth rounder or fourth question? Pardon?
Speaker 1 (11:33):
Get you drafted back in last year for a fifth
round pick together.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
The fifth round or so. And he's flashed certainly in
the preseason, the last two preseasons, but all of a sudden,
if he's out for the year, that's another guy, and
that's another guy another position where you're not getting anything
out of You're not You're not getting anything out of
that pick. This is two wasted years essentially for him.
Now he goes into year three, is he Is he
(11:57):
another guy you're gonna we're gonna forget about, you know
a few years down the road, say oh, yeah, I
remember him. He never turned out like so many guys.
That's big because I get a little excited because I
saw what he did in the preseason, Like maybe this
is the guy. He looks the part plays with the
high motor, and all of a sudden, now we're at
the halfway point and he's potentially done for the year
(12:21):
for for either I gotta believe the knee is good enough, right,
he's healthy enough, he's participant.
Speaker 1 (12:30):
Yeah, he's been a full participant here the the ever
ever since they activated him or put him, you know,
a lot of him to practice in the twenty one
day window. Like, he's been a full participant, so it
hasn't been that he's been limited. So, you know, I
maybe we'll get some more clarity from Ben. You know,
this afternoon when we kind of talked to him about
whether they plan on activating him. I think he's gonna
(12:50):
say he's not gonna tell us, Like I like this
just Ben's way. He's not gonna tell us how they
do it. But yeah, I think unless there's some really wronggoing,
I would imagine that he gets activated this weekend. And
if not, then we'll have to dissect that a little
bit here moving forward, because he was a you know,
they they they took him in the fifth round.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
They thought that they can maybe stole him away.
Speaker 1 (13:13):
They took him, you know, they they felt that you know,
he's got a year of development under his you know,
under under his belt, and he can really become something
special because they took him a year early, maybe than
most people would have. So it'll be interesting to see
because that that that's a pick that kind of needs
the hit because at this point, other than Caleb and Rome,
(13:34):
none of those picks are really hitting for you last year.
And Cairo's going to be back, Joe, I would assume
like we'll hear back from Ben today. But if he
was a full participant today, unless he has a setback,
I think Cairo will be back.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
And I think, you know, Cairo's your.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Your starter here and you just kind of tip your
cap to Jake Moody for stepping in there, who has
really revitalized his career. And you know who may you know,
maybe another team is going to pick him up on
the practice squad now, because the Bears can only activate
him one more time off the practice squad before being
forced to put him on the active roster.
Speaker 2 (14:08):
Yeah, I mean, I think helen upon another NFL team,
I mean, right, you're not gonna have no team keeps
two kickers on the active roster. So it's Carow's job
and after that shaky start, and we'll never know. Maybe
we will know way down the road if anyone really cares.
But you know, signing Jake to the practice squad to me,
(14:28):
I said at the time, And it's not a major storyline, certainly,
but if you're signing him to the practice squad, that
tells me you're seeing what the rest of us are
seeing with Cairo at the beginning of the year, when
it's like the distance issue is becoming an issue and
he wasn't as consistent and all right, man, let's take
(14:48):
a shot at this guy. Maybe it's the little spur
that Cairo needs, you know, on his butt there to say, hey,
hey man, you know every guy has to battle for
the job every day. You got to earn your job
every day. And maybe that that helped Kiro because he
certainly came back at the great game against the Raiders,
is going to beld him out many times when they
failed inside the thirty to get six points. Jake gets
(15:09):
a shot, I gets a shot here, and he certainly
has delivered. And you know, with again, kickers are like
relief pitchers in baseball. You know, great one one year,
bad the next on a baseball come back, lead the
league in saves. It's just it's just crazy, the life
of a kicker. H And Jake's gonna get another opportunity,
and it might be next week. A lot of teams
(15:33):
have kicking issues, and I think Jake has certainly showed
that he can kick in this league. I know it's
only two games, but he's gonna get an opportunity. It's
just probably not gonna be with with the Bears again.
If Cairo is good to go, cj chiming in here,
and you know, I don't want to spend too much
time on the kicker here, but you know he's saying,
I'm sorry, Cairo is more likely to be available than Moody.
(15:54):
Why not keep Moody and grab Cairo if needed? I
you know, Cairo like with me.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Even at the beginning of the year, when Joe is
trashing Cairo every single week, I think, uh, I think
Cairo's way underappreciated amongst the fan base. Sure I can
see that, you know, I know he missed a couple
extra long kicks, but he's the franchise's most accurate kicker.
Like I don't I don't you know understand the you know, obviously,
(16:22):
not the sports hatred toward him. Like, I think he's
a really good kicker. I think Jake Moody fit you know,
the role.
Speaker 2 (16:29):
He did a good.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Job and he hit a lot of you know things,
But I I think Cairo Cairo is a good kicker.
He's your starter. Jake Moody fit the role. You don't
put two kickers out there. You don't put kicker. You
don't put Cairo on for the practice squad because someone's
gonna snag Cairo.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Like I don't.
Speaker 1 (16:47):
That's not someone is much more likely to snag Cairo
than they are to snag Jake Moody in my opinion,
So I I think you appreciate what Kiro, what Jake
Moody did for your team. He stepped up for you
in the big moment and obviously against the Commanders, and
he did well against the the Saints. But Cairo's your
kicker at this point unless he shows any sort of regression.
(17:09):
And that's enough kicker talk for this podcast.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
All right, Joe, one more. It's just funny though you
like you like Cairo more than I do, and I
like Tory Taylor more than you do, So all right,
I don't have anything.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
I don't have anything against Tory. Tory is a great
guy to talk to in the locker room, and he
had a good game.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
He knocked in a couple of things. Again, that's enough
kicking talk.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
For here, all right, Bears are traveling to the Ravens.
Like I said, Baltimore one o'clock local time on neon
o'clock here. Obviously, Joe, big matchup here. What's what's your
key matchup they're going to be watching here on Sunday.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
It's got to be the quarterback, right, their quarterback, whoever
it is, against this secondary with eleven interceptions, which I mean,
they're at this crazy pace, you know, through six games.
So if it's Lamar, I think even if it's Lamar,
I I don't think that you know, they're gonna get
four turnovers necessarily again and three interceptions, But I still
(18:09):
think they'll find a way to make some plays in
the secondary even if it's Lamar. But that that's the
question that if it's Cooper Rush or Tyler Hontley, well
then you know all bets are off here and you
still got to be able to take advantage of that guy,
because I mean, that's you look at that Baltimore team,
like you said, I mean one in five, and it's
it's not a good indication of who they are. We
(18:31):
want we know how good this franchise is. I hear
the one of five start their worst starting franchise history.
I mean, one in five is bad. But it's not
like we've said a lot of Bears teams I would
think over the years that are going one in five.
So that speaks to how good that organization consistent it is.
But to me that that situation there with Lamar against
(18:52):
this secondary and because the secondary look the past rush
and the front seven is just well at Edmunds and
Edwards have played well uh this year TJ when he's
been playing that is uh. But but to me it's
it's can you get some turnovers? At least two? I
mean two would be good and and I want to
(19:13):
see that. But you know, look, we don't get to
see Lamar Jackson every year as Bears fans. You see
my TV a lot. But he's a dynamic player. Two
time MVP could have won it last year, Josh Allen
got it. So I just want to see and truthfully,
I want to see him play. I don't like you
take like any team, right, you want to play the best.
(19:34):
You know, when you play the Packers, you want to
play Jordan Love. You don't. You don't want him. You know,
when they played Aaron Rodgers, I wanted Aaron Rodgers to
be healthy in play. You got to beat the best.
So I want to see Lamar Jackson play. I want
to see him close to one hundred percent. I don't
want to see the Bears beat him. If they do,
that is a definite statement, uh, game for them and
a confidence builder're going forward. Uh So that's that's what
(19:55):
I want to see. Uh And if it's Cooper Rush,
so be it, attack him, get out of there with
the winning You have to win that football game. But
I want to see Lamar and I want to see
how good this secondary, although it's really depleted, like we
talked at the beginning of the show here, so that's
you got to consider that too. But I to me,
it's it's it's the quarterback, their quarterback against the Bears secondary.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
I'm gonna go with the obvious statement here, but Lamar
Jackson is really hard to stop full stop like that.
That that that's just you know, Dennis Allen was asked
about it, and he's and you know they're asking, you know,
we were asking him about you know, do you want
him to go side to side? Do you want him
to whatever? Like how do you limit him? And Dennis
Allen's kind of like, I don't think you want him
to do anything, Like that's the problem, right, Like if
you force them, Like if you if you pressure him
(20:44):
in the pocket and you force him to run, he
hurts you there. If you force him to stay in
the pocket because you know you're you're limiting his options
on running, then he he hurts you there like he
hurts you no matter what you do as a defense, right,
And that that's what makes him such a great quarterback.
And why is a two time MVP in this league
And you know could have rightfully, like you said, Joe
be a three time MVP if you know, Josh Allen
(21:06):
didn't you know, have the season that he had last year.
So he's gonna be an incredible player to stop. And
I'm excited to watch him, you know, play in person,
just to kind of see you know what makes like
you get to see like greatness in person, Like that's
a really cool opportunity just to kind of see what
he's able to do. So yeah, I'm really interested to
see what Dennis Allen is able to scheme up here.
(21:28):
You got to get much more pressure out of your
defensive line, like we talked about last week. They got
Kyler Gordon and Jakwan Prisker involved. I don't know how
much you're gonna be able to do that because I
think you're gonna have to drop them back in coverage
right to kind of you know, protect and kind of
you know. I don't think you're gonna be able to
do what you did against the Saints with the Ravens,
So this secondary is really going to have to step up.
(21:49):
I don't my surprise prediction isn't going to be that
they're going to have four or three turnovers, you know.
Can they force one against Derrick Henry? And maybe they
if they get after Lamar, especially if he's a little
bit slower than he normally is because of the hamstring,
that'd be great. But you need your defense to limits
the damage. And that's especially in the secondary because if
(22:11):
you if you let Lamar pick up ten yards here,
fifteen yards here on passes, like he's just going to
move the ball, down the field. He's going to take
what you're giving him. You might take away the big
play away from him, but he's going to take those
ten to fifteen yard passes and that's just going to
move the ball down the field. So you're really gonna
need to come up with a game plan here to
kind of limit him, create some sort of pressure on him.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
And you know, maybe you're royal up. Maybe you do.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
You know, I'm not saying that you obviously, I'm not
saying to injure him, but maybe you do give him
a hit and you're kind of like, all right, like
maybe you question how you know mobile you want to be,
especially with that hamstring injury. But it's going to be
an incredibly tough task and I'm really interested to see,
you know, what Dennis Allen does with the scheme to
you know, maybe that's confusing Lamar. I don't know how
(22:55):
much you can confuse Lamar at this point, but you know,
kind of throw a wrench into anything that he does.
Speaker 2 (23:01):
Yeah, and they need to see more production. We've been
saying it all year. I've been saying it all year
from the front four. You know, having Grady Jarrett backed,
that'll be nice because so I don't know how much
he's got left in the tank, injury or not. And
then io Odegbo, if we mentioned his name since week one,
(23:21):
I mean after he had that sack for like a
few yards against Minnesota, we got to see more him
him making plays getting to the quarterback. At least Montege
who hasn't had a good year, but at least now
back to back games, he showed a little bit. And
you're noticing him more during games where I where are you? Man?
(23:44):
But they got to start figuring this out a little more.
And especially if you're not gonna be blitzing from the
secondary with Brisker or Gordon, you gotta get some pressure
on him. And I just got to believe if you're Lamar,
you're coming off a hamstring injury. You know how it
is with injuries. You come back from one, whether it's
been a week, two weeks, a month. You got to
(24:06):
gain the trust again in your body that your body
will sure will handle it. You know, because you're there,
you're gonna be a little tentative, like especially that game.
You know football, you can't play it at eighty percent.
You got to be one hundred percent. So if he
thinks he's you know, he's he's got to play one
hundred percent if they get some pressure on him where
maybe he's got to scramble and do some lamar things.
He's got to be thinking careful. Now, don't don't ring
(24:29):
you that hamstering. We know sensitive hamstring injuries are, So
I'm gonna be curious, like maybe he he will peel
back a little bit, Maybe maybe he reinjures it. You
don't want to see that either, but you gotta you
can't just let him sit in the pocket all day
or he's not even thinking about it, because that's a problem.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
Then yeah, he'll abuse you, like he'll he'll just take
advantage of whatever you give him if you let him
stay in the pocket, especially if he's got three or
four seconds, like he's gonna find something. And I think
that's where things can get really ugly, really quickly. So
that'll be a big thing to watch and we'll obviously
keep an eye on that. My big matchup, obviously is
the rebound from Caleb. You know, obviously last week was
(25:10):
his you know, season worse performance. You know, he was
just off on the rhythm, wasn't there in the passing
game at all, and I'm really interested to see how
he does against this you know, this this Ravens defense
that I don't think, you know, the Ravens defense doesn't
have much of a pass rush. They got a bunch
of older guys on their defensive line, so I think
Caleb will have time. But the listen, listen, the Bears
(25:34):
are the The raven secondary is really good. You got
you know, safety as Malachi Starks, Kyle Hamilton or Hamilton
Hamilton or is obviously a a Pro Bowl, All Pro guy.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
Marlon Humphrey, you know, I.
Speaker 1 (25:48):
Think he's the one who's been dealing with a with
an illness this week, but he should be playing. He's
an All Pro, Pro Bowl guy. Like the raven secondary
is really talented and really good. Obviously, you know Rocan
Smith Bears fans Dome. He should be coming back from
a hamstring injury here. He's been a full participant and
I would expect him to play. Like the Ravens secondary
(26:10):
is really talented. So I'm really watched. I'm really curious
to see, you know, what Ben's schemes up here to
kind of create some open lanes for Caleb and whether
this is a game where maybe Caleb does throw an
interception or two or whether he airs it out. I
think this will be a really good test for him
where maybe he doesn't have too much pressure, but is
he able to find the open lanes against a really
(26:32):
elite secondary.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
Yeah, this game is important for him and he needs
to find his confidence because and I don't care what
he'll say to you, what Ben Johnson will say to you.
Maybe Ben Johnson, you know, he's pretty straightforward, it seems
like with the media. But Kilub needs a bounce back
game here, and maybe they lose, but he bounces back,
(26:54):
you know, maybe has a good game and they lose
because you know, as we've said from day one, it's
about the quarterback. Because it's funny I was thinking about
after last week, like, is it possible the Bears could
at the end of the season, Bears fans could say
we're in the we're headed in the right direction, we
have the head coach, it's coming together, But the quarterback
(27:18):
is still a question because you figure before it's all about, well,
if the quarterback is good to go, then they're headed
in the right direction. Now maybe is the rest of
it and headed in the right direction and the quarterback
is And again it's one game, and he hasn't been
great this year. He's been pretty good though other than
last the last week. So it's an important game for him.
And I just want to like, let's let's stop be tentative.
(27:39):
Let's not just do this screen gun the ball downfield. Man,
you have the big arm, you're a big boys. It's
year one and a half now for you here, let's go.
So I think it's important. And again, that's a good
secondary there in Baltimore. And you know, they're way better
if they're if they're healthy, if all their key guys
(27:59):
are are playing Sunday, you're you're you're getting the Ravens
from last year, not the Ravens from this year. But
he needs to step up in a game like this
against this team because everyone's always create Baltimore. You know,
they're they're always you know, the top subject on a broadcast,
(28:20):
on a podcast, uh, because because of what they've done.
So he needs to have a big game come Sunday.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
There's a big proven moment for him, right Like I
I don't think that this season is going to define
who he is by any means, but I think it
tells us on which direction he's going right, like I think,
I think, you know, I feel like I wrote a
couple of stories about Caleb this week, and my main
focus point has been like, you know, the whole like
the you know, progress is in Lindear Like they're gonna
be highs and lows, like that's just how life is
(28:48):
and any and anything right in sports and your personal
development and work or whatever. And that's the same thing
for the quarterback development. So you know, you have the
highs you know of winning against Dallas. You know, you
won back to back games in the last you know
play against the Raiders and the Commanders. Then you had
a lower game, like you relied on the run game
and you relied on the defense against the Saints. Now's
(29:09):
a good opportunity to get back on the upper trajectory
and to kind of continue that development against a really
talented defensive scheme, players all the above. Like that's a
really good defense, and this is a really good opportunity
for Caleb to kind of show out in front of
I don't think it's a national audience because it'll be
a noon game, but I would imagine a good chunk
of the nation gainst that game. On CBS at noon.
(29:33):
All Right, Joe, what is your surprise prediction for Sunday.
Speaker 2 (29:38):
My surprise prediction for Sunday is that Caleb will have
a good game. I'm not saying he's gonna throw for
three fifty and three touchdowns and they're gonna win by ten,
But I think we'll have a good game. I think
they'll find a way. And I think this coaching staff
a small sample side, but we've already seen like like
they know what they need to work on it. I
(29:58):
mean we're not telling them anything they don't know, and
I think they address it and they and they figure
it out. And I do believe although as we mentioned
with Caleb that progress isn't linear all the time, I do.
I do think of a way it is with this
coaching staff. I think you're seeing like they're they're giving
them more time, get getting to know their personnel better.
They have another week, another belt that they're they're figuring
(30:19):
things out. They're smart coaches, not only Ben uh and
Dennis Allen, but but the assistants they have, So I
I am encouraged by that. But I think Caleb will
We'll have a good game and.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
We'll see, Yeah, I'm kind of them to say, mind,
I don't think you lose Sunday because of Caleb. I
don't think this that doesn't feel like a game you
lose because of him, But I do it does feel like, uh,
I agree with you with them with the mindset of
this coaching staff is going to get this team ready.
I think you've seen this every single week. I know
Ben likes to say, you know, I wish I had
(30:53):
a couple of play golls back he could. I think
Ben is very I think any time anything goes wrong,
I feel like he's like first to say I could
have done a better job. Like he's the first to
take accountability, which I know, I know players appreciate because
that obviously wasn't a thing that happened often last year,
you know, during last year's five and twelve team. But
(31:14):
I think that this coaching staff takes accountability and they
get their guys ready. So I think that'll be a
big part of that Jojo. I think that they put
Caleb in a good spot to succeed. They put him
in good positions, and they'll piggyback off of that. I
think we're gonna see a few trick plays. I think
we're going to see. My surprise prediction is you're going
(31:34):
to see a few trick plays. I don't know if
you see the stumble bump, but I do think that
this is a game in a moment where Ben Johnson
is gonna want to do some trick plays and he's
gonna want to get different guys involved, whether that's Luther Burden,
whether that's Coast to Loveland, or whether you know. I
think you know, last week, we really didn't see anything.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
Too crazy.
Speaker 1 (31:54):
I don't think he wanted to reinvent the wheel or
anything like that. In a not it wasn't a sloppy thing,
but it wasn't the best circumstances. So my surprise prediction
is that you're gonna get at least one, if not
to trick plays from Ben Johnson as he tries to
keep this thing, you know, keep this thing going. En
(32:14):
No offensive penalties that will be I mean that's gonna
be a big key if you want to win this game.
You cannot have offensive penalties, especially in especially in the
red zone. Rick Chiming in my surprise is no sacks
allowed by the Bears.
Speaker 2 (32:29):
I like that.
Speaker 1 (32:29):
I think I would go with that. I think this
offensive line has been playing much better than it has
in the past, and like we said earlier, this pass
rush from the Ravens isn't that great? All right, Joe,
We're gonna go to our most valuable bear here. You
won your first matchup of the week last week, after
we gave you a hard time for choosing the kicker
Jake Moody. You ended up winning that matchup, So now
(32:51):
you got your first win on the board.
Speaker 2 (32:53):
You are I thought I got one when I got Klo.
Didn't I get that week? Did I get? Oh? And
you did? You did?
Speaker 1 (32:59):
You did?
Speaker 2 (33:00):
I forgot I'm I'm I forgot at the end of
the season. By season, I forgot it.
Speaker 1 (33:05):
I forgot that. I I remember earlier in the week,
I was like, oh, I have the same record as
the Bears do four and two. That's you're right, You're right,
all right, So you're I'm was still winning four to two.
But you got your win against with uh with Jake Moody,
which is still a crazy pick, but obviously it worked
for you.
Speaker 2 (33:21):
All right.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
You chose first last week, so I'm gonna go first
this week. How many weeks do we have left in
the season, We're in Week eight, right.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
Yeah, I don't know if I want to.
Speaker 1 (33:33):
I'm still deciding when I want to use my caliber,
when when I want to save it for the end.
Speaker 2 (33:38):
Of the year.
Speaker 1 (33:38):
I've gonna I'm gonna skip the quarterback this week, but
he's gonna be a big reason why I'm going with
Coast of Loveland. I think that this is a game
that the Bears are going to I think Ben Johnson
is going to focus in on Coast and Loveland. You
saw that he started to do that in Week three
against the Cowboys before he got that himp injury and
that kind of derailed him. I think you needed to
see him be more of a run blocker against the
(34:01):
Commanders and especially against the Saints last couple of weeks.
But with Cole Comet out there, I think that the
Ravens are going to focus in on Rome of Doomsday
and DJ Moore, and I think that really opens things
up for Colston Lovelin. I think he's I think Ben
Jonson is gonna get him involved. That's going That's been
a big focal point for the team this week. It's
gonna be my Saturday feature, you know, talking about Colston
(34:21):
Lovelin taking advantage of the moment. So I my most
value bear is going to be Colston Lovelin. This feels
like a breakout game for him, especially with Cole not
out there.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
That's a good one. I'd be all for it. I'd
be all for it seeing what this kid can can do.
So that and he will have that game. He will
have that game. Whether it's Sunday, I'm not sure. But
when it does, we're gonna love it. Because he really
looks the part and and the few opportunities he's received.
(34:54):
It looks good. Right. It's like with Luther Burden. And
just to backtrack a little bit, I love the surprise prediction.
But was it? Was it CJ about no penalties? That
would be a big one by the way, So.
Speaker 1 (35:10):
Yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 2 (35:11):
Was your most valuable bear? My most valuable bear? I
I'm just not overly I said. I think Caleb's gonna
have a big game, all right. I said that, So
I will go with an offensive player. I'm gonna go
with DeAndre Swift. If I burned him the DeAndre Swift
card yet maybe I did, Well, you can use them,
you can use them again. I'm gonna go DeAndre Swift.
(35:33):
You know, he's not gonna rush for one hundred every week.
If so, he's against this defense.
Speaker 1 (35:39):
That's the other thing we haven't talked about, Like this
run defense is not that great by the Ravens. So
I don't I don't hate that pick at all.
Speaker 2 (35:46):
Yes, I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go with DeAndre. Uh.
You know, these two games have really been impressive these
last two weeks, and he's not gonna do this every week.
If so, he probably threatened Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record.
You know, you average hundred and ten yards a game
every week or whatever. But I have to do the
math there. Well, you probably still wouldn't get catch Eric Dickerson.
(36:06):
That was still crazy two thousand plus yards. But at
any event, I'll go with DeAndre. I he's been he
was like he's the it guy right now for this offense.
Even when he gets the ball on a pass from Caleb,
you know he's able to shake him, bake a little
bit and do something. So I'll go with DeAndre Swift.
Speaker 1 (36:25):
Him and Kyle have really stepped up here in the
last couple of weeks, and I think you're gonna you
need to do that right, Like you need to force
the Ravens to defend the run in order to open.
Speaker 2 (36:34):
Things up in the past game. So yeah, I like
that pick a lot.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
I was debating whether to go with it, but you know,
I kind of went against the trend. I was kind
of like, well, it can't be three straight weeks, but
I was doubting. Well, I was doubting DeAndre the last
couple of weeks and look look where that got me.
So I I like that pick.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
I think that.
Speaker 1 (36:55):
This running game has figured something out. This run defense
from the Ravens is not good. This offense line is
really hitting it well. You know, Darnall Wright is really
hitting his stride right now on the right tackle side,
and you know it's interesting. We got a chance to
talk with d Androshar yesterday and you know, he talked
about this is in my takeaways if you guys want
to check it out from from Thursday and talking about
(37:15):
you know, Darnell can still get another level if he
uses his injured arm, which was really interesting to see
hear him talk about. But yeah, I think that this
running attack is really going to go off and kind
of continue that. So it'll be that I think I
like that pick CJ.
Speaker 2 (37:31):
Chiming in.
Speaker 1 (37:31):
He's going with Burden come out with the woodwork for
another one hundred yards. He could definitely be involved in those,
in those trick plays that I was talking about earlier.
So I like that pick CJ. Robert's going with my
most value, Barry's going to with Colston Lovelin, and Rick
going with DJ Moore.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Dj Moore obviously has been a little bit quiet.
Speaker 1 (37:51):
You know, he's been injured. So yeah, I could see,
especially with the trick plays, if you want to get
him some YAC opportunities. I can see DJ getting involved
in there too, So I like that pick Rick. All right, Joe,
noon on Sunday game is on CBS. Bears are playing
at the Baltimore Ravens. I think the weather forecast is
supposed to be a beautiful fall day for football, So
(38:12):
that's good to hear what happens on Sunday afternoon.
Speaker 2 (38:15):
Joe, Well, I think Lamar is gonna play. They can't
go to one in six. I know this. The AFC
North is not the AFC North as it was last year.
You know, you know, Joy Burrow out and I don't
know it is Pittsburgh gonna win that division. You know,
were they four and two. But Baltimore needs this football game.
(38:36):
If again, but if if the other quarterbacks have to play,
then there their season's frobably done. But I think Lamar
is gonna play. I think Baltimore wins. It just seems
like the Bears are due for a loss after four
in a row and uh, you know, two tight ones
in between there. So I think Baltimore wins. Final score,
(38:58):
I think they drop twenty eight out of them, twenty eight,
twenty two, twenty.
Speaker 1 (39:03):
Eight, twenty two. Yeah, I'm kind of the same mindset
where for you where it's already tough for Baltimore to
come back after one and five, but and what in
six year season is done, Like it's almost impossible you
would have to win out at that point. So this
is a big game for Baltimore. Lamar is coming back,
this is a home game. I agree. It's just everything
(39:23):
just points to this is just a game that Baltimore
is gonna win.
Speaker 2 (39:26):
I think the spread has been six and a half for.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
Most of this week. I don't think it's that big.
I think the Bears keep this interesting for the most part.
But I just think that Lamar is back. I think
he's gonna air it out. I think he's able to
kind of keep things listen, he's the most valuable player
even if he's hurt, Like he can make incredible plays
even when he's not at one hundred percent. And I think,
(39:51):
you know, jayde and Daniels took advantage of the Bears
a little bit sometimes in the Monday Night game, Jared
Goff went off on the Bears. He took advantage of
them pretty easily. So and Dak Prescott, you know, at
times before he threw those three interceptions, you know, looked
really good too against his Bear secondary. So I'm kind
of in a proven mode with this Bears secondary. I
(40:12):
know they forced turnovers, but you're not going to force
four turnovers every single game. So I think this is
a game that Baltimore just needs and kind of picks
up a huge win.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
I'll go with.
Speaker 1 (40:24):
I like the twenty eighth, Well yeah, I'll go with
the twenty eight for the Ravens. I think it's a
twenty eight to twenty four win for the Ravens. I
think the Bears have an opportunity late in that game,
but can't convert. So Bears drop their first game in
over a month. But I think it's competitive, which will
be encouraging. I think you're gonna see some good performances
(40:46):
from the Bears. I just think that Baltimore has too
much to play for at this point. Rick chiming in
he's going with the Bears twenty seven to twenty four.
Speaker 2 (40:54):
Robert doesn't like our predictions.
Speaker 1 (40:55):
He's going with Boo. But yeah, I think.
Speaker 2 (40:59):
It'll bit like like.
Speaker 1 (41:02):
I think, you know, Joe, obviously you don't want to
take solace in losing like the Bears. But the Bears
are kind of at a point right now where I
think if you're competitive on the road, if you win
the game, great. I think if you would win this game,
obviously that's great for morale. That's a big step for
this program for Ben Johnson in his first year. But
this really feels like a game where you can't get
(41:24):
blown out. I think you're really feeling bad in this
game if the Ravens put it on you and your
offense has no clues. If you lose this game like
we said, twenty to twenty four, or you know, twenty
eight to twenty two like you said, then I think
you leave that game. You're like Baltimore had a lot
to play for. They still have the most valuable player
heading into this game. You know, into the season, we
(41:45):
would have said that this this is obviously a super
Bowl contender. So I you know, I don't if they
lose this game close, I'm not too worried about it
and what it means for the season.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
Yeah, it's still big picture with the Bears. Right there
is the quarterback progressing. Are the rookies playing? Are they
showing like, yeah, they got the right guys. They picked
the right guy that that still matters going forward. And
let's clean up the dang penalties. They almost swore. Let's
clean up the penalties. This is too much. I don't
(42:22):
want to be talking about this again come Monday, Like, yeah,
another eight penalties for ninety two yards? No more, no more,
clean it up. I know it's on the road, it's tougher,
but you were at home and it was still bad.
So let's let's play a clean football game and see
where see where that takes the team. Right, Let's let's
see how they they look when they can clean it up.
(42:43):
Not that they'd be perfect, but it should be much better.
Speaker 1 (42:47):
Yeah, I think you wanted to look good, right Like,
if it looks good and it comes down to a
player or two and you just can't convert, then I
think you're fine with that. I think you're like, Okay,
they're the Ravens, They're Super Bowl contender without all these injuries.
The Bears are still in their first year with the
new coach still developing. But if it looks bad, I
think there are gonna be a lot of questions on
Monday when we talk to you folks. Rick chiming in
(43:09):
with our last question before we say goodbye. If the
Bears lose, is the Bengals game and must win? You know,
I don't know if you can have a must win
in the middle of the season. Joe Flaggo's played better.
I don't know if it's necessarily going to be a
layup by any means. And I don't think the Giants
are going to be a lay up either.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
I think that.
Speaker 1 (43:26):
But the Bears lose on Sunday and they have hopes
of making the playoffs, that's a game that I think
they have to they have to win if they have
any hopes of making the playoffs, because any of the
Giants and then you enter that really tough stretch where
you play the Vikings, the Packers twice, the Eagles, the
forty nine Ers, and Detroit. Again. I know Cleveland's and
Steelers obviously, and I know Cleveland's in there, but that
(43:49):
second half of the schedule is not great. So I guess, Rick,
if you have any hopes of making the playoffs, I
guess it kind of is a must win next week.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
Yep, agree with that. I mean, if they lose, you know,
that's a Bengals team again, it's gonna be without their quarterback,
but you got you gotta beat them. But it's like,
in a way, I think the more I think about
like a must win for the Bears are other must
wins this season because we're not anticipating them making the playoffs. Now.
(44:22):
If they beat Baltimore here, however, way on Sunday, all
of a sudden, you're what five and two? What's my math?
The five and two? Now, all of a sudden, you're like,
five and two, we beat since they we're six and two.
Not to get too far ahead. We did that last
year and I saw what happened. Uh. Now you're like, hey, man,
playoffs are one hundred percent on the radar and they'd
(44:44):
be disappointed if you're six and two and you don't
make the playoffs. I'm way ahead of myself.
Speaker 1 (44:48):
You're jumping on here, Joe, you're around drivings. Now I'm done.
We can we can have that conversation on Monday of
the Bears, but we can. We'll let you go down
that if they win on a little but I don't
want you to waste your breath now if we get
if we end up getting CJ's prediction, which is a
twenty four to ten Ravens win, got a boy. All right,
(45:13):
That's everything that we've got for you folks on this
Friday morning. Thanks so much for joining us. Thank you
to everyone who joined us on our live stream, and
really appreciate all the comments. Make sure you like us
while you're here. If you're watching this later, make sure
you like us and subscribe. That's the best way to
support us. We really appreciate your support. Love growing to
live stream and love gating comments and talking with you
guys here as well. So really appreciate you guys joining us.
(45:36):
If you're joining us on the podcast, thanks so much
for listening. Make sure you also subscribe wherever you listen
to podcasts. If you want to be part of the
live conversation, make sure you check out our social media
as we'll usually post. We usually do Friday morning and
Monday morning sometimes, you know. Obviously the schedule changes Bears
and depending on the Bears schedule and obviously my travel schedule,
so we'll get that figured out for you folks. I'm
(45:58):
traveling back Monday morning, so we might have to do
an afternoon podcast, but make sure you're following us on
social media and we'll give you an exact time. Make
sure you're following me at m Duo Jack ninety four
on all social media, so I'll have your coverage from
Baltimore this weekend and from hell Us Hall this afternoon,
and follow at Joe Aguilar at Joe Aguilar at sixty
four at Joe Agular sixty four on Twitter. He's got
(46:21):
your week nine high school football coverage. The playoffs are
around the corner. It is cold as heck out there,
so that means that the playoffs must be around here.
Joe will have your breakdown as the playoffs start here
in the mckendrey County area, so make sure you're following him.
So thanks so much for joining us on this Friday morning.
The weather looks beautiful out there, so make sure you
enjoyed and hopefully you guys enjoy Friday afternoon, Friday afternoon's game,
(46:47):
and we will talk to you folks down the road
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