‘The Bears have struggled to a 3-11 start, but seven of those defeats have been in single-possession games, five of them by five points or fewer.’
Archives for December 23, 2022
Bills’ schedule puts pressure on preparation
‘Over the season’s first 16 games, the Bills have played only half at the standard NFL 1 p.m. starting time. The other eight featured two Monday nighters, three on a Thursday, one of those on Thanksgiving, a Sunday late afternoon national telecast and a Saturday nighter.’
Bills center Mitch Morse, defensive end Boogie Basham out vs. Bears; Jordan Poyer to practice
‘Linebacker Matt Milano was a full participant Thursday for the first time since he injured his knee three weeks ago against the New England Patriots. Guard Ryan Bates (ankle) and quarterback Josh Allen (right elbow) were both full participants again Thursday, after both were limited Tuesday.’
PlayAction: Alternate call sheets are ready if Bills’ Ken Dorsey needs them
‘“We’ll do the same thing just so we’re not putting ourselves in tough situations,” Dorsey said. “For last week, if there was snow accumulating on the ground, certain cuts with the receivers and tight ends we didn’t want to make, you know, in fear of going down and throwing the ball to a DB or something like that. So we really just took our game plan that we had, and then we just cut out certain things and just had those in case we needed it for footing reasons moreso than anything. We didn’t need that one. We just used our base game plan, obviously because the footing was good and then even at the end there when the snow was accumulating, it wasn’t enough to affect the footing.’
Inside the Bills: How Bills executives Terrance Gray, Malik Boyd aim to benefit from NFL accelerator program
‘“I would say the biggest takeaway for me was essentially the networking portion of it, with ownership, other executives from ball clubs across the league,” Boyd said in an interview with The Buffalo News. “I saw benefit and value just from the standpoint of exposure. I think that’s the biggest thing, and the networking, so having those options to go out, speak with ownership groups, whether or not it was presidents of teams or the actual owners – those were good, productive meetings.”’
How we see it: News writers offer predictions on Bills vs. Bears
‘The only way Chicago can pull off a shocker? The Bills mess around like Philadelphia did last week. The Eagles had three turnovers and a missed field goal. The Bears generated only seven points off those four situations, but it allowed them to stay in the game (25-20 Eagles win).’
View from Vegas: Bears have found a way against the spread vs. AFC East teams
‘Prediction: Bills over Bears by 6.’
Erik Brady: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and the Bills are in Chi-town
T’was the night before Christmas And all through Chi-town, Josh Allen was shouting: “Let’s make this place MY town.”
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Bills defense looks to improve vs. Bears after season-long issue with missed tackles
‘Using Pro Football Focus numbers, the Bills lead the NFL with 148 missed tackles on rushing plays, an average of just over 10 per game which is somewhat crazy for a team that somehow still ranks sixth in the league in run defense at 106.1 yards allowed per game.’
Bills fans can attend Bears game for next to nothing if they’re willing to brave cold
‘If you’re in the Chicago area and willing to brave the cold, there will be plenty of tickets at low prices.’
Renewed confidence leads Kaiir Elam back into Bills lineup after rookie lull
‘“I was just tired of being down on myself, tired of trying to be perfect,” Elam said. “I just give it my all and let the work take over. I’m not trying to be perfect anymore. Nothing’s going to be perfect. I just try to give it my all and make sure I’m locked in on what I need to get done.”’
Friday’s Chicago Coverage
Chicago Bears RB faces uncertain future (Chicago Tribune)
What’s the Chicago Bears’ record on Christmas Eve? (Chicago Tribune)
Fans preparing for extremely cold conditions (Chicago Tribune)
What to wear to Saturday’s frigid game at Soldier Field (Chicago Tribune)
Ticking package at Chicago Bears’ Halas Hall prompts lockdown (Chicago Tribune)
Bears’ offensive line searching for elusive continuity (Chicago Sun Times)
Bears boast best rushing attack in NFL — and now Khalil Herbert returns (Chicago Sun Times)
Bears WR Chase Claypool doubtful vs. Bills; several starters out or questionable (Chicago Sun Times)
Bears brace for frigid temperatures Saturday (Chicago Sun Times)
Bears’ Harry excited to get back into lineup against Bills (Arlington Heights Daily Herald)
Bears CB Johnson Questionable For Bills Game With Injury (AP)
Miller’s glowing praise of Fields shows where Bears’ QB is headed (NBC Sports Chicago)
Fields Pro Bowl snub talk sign of how things have changed (NBC Sports Chicago)
How Bears plan to patch up OL if Whitehair, Jenkins can’t play (NBC Sports Chicago)
Bears release lengthy injury report ahead of Bills game (NBC Sports Chicago)
Should Josh Blackwell be lone Bears Pro Bowl player? (NBC Sports Chicago)
What Bears fans need to know before going to Soldier Field (NBC Sports Chicago)
Bears WR Chase Claypool (knee) doubtful against Bills (WSCR-AM)
What Bears fans going to Soldier Field on Saturday need to know (WBBM-TV)
Gordon energized by takeaways in return to action (ChicagoBears.com)
Bears impacted by injuries at two key spots | Injury Update (ChicagoBears.com)
Bills Try To Clinch AFC East Against Bears, Eye No. 1 Seed
‘“We’re facing a Chicago Bears team that is playing really good football right now and they play extremely hard,” he said. “I think Coach (Matt) Eberflus has done a great job of changing that culture, perhaps, at least from the outside looking in, in terms of how they’re playing.”’
Allen, Bills Look To Lock Up AFC East Title Against Bears
‘Key Matchup: Bills WR Stefon Diggs against Bears CB Jaylon Johnson. Assuming he plays, Johnson gets to go against another top receiver after going at it with A.J. Brown last week. Though Brown had nine receptions for a career-high 181 yards, Johnson made him work for it and broke up a season-best three passes. Now, he faces the league’s third-leading receiver in Diggs, who has 1,299 yards. Johnson was listed as questionable Thursday because of what coach Matt Eberflus said was a ring finger injury. He’s also been dealing with a rib issue.’
Bills Tight End Reveals Story Behind 15-Yard Snowball Penalty Threat
‘“Apparently, they told coach McDermott or someone, ‘Hey we can’t actually enforce that, we just have to say that for them to stop,’” Knox said on the podcast Green Light with Chris Long. “It was a just say it, to get them to calm down.”’