After grueling weeks of misery and torture at the unforgiving hands of the football gods, the Bears have regained probably somewhat temporary control of the reigns that have been thrown so hard off course they barely know where the course is anymore with a 33-7 drubbing of the Cincinnati Bengals. Even though it was only the now 5-8 Bengals coming off a short week that looked like they have recently been brutally beaten to a pulp by in a Tonka tough Steelers team, to finally breathe again with a hearty win was more refreshing than a Soldier Field lemonade in August.
The run game looked phenomenal and yeah, that was really expected against the worst rush defense in the league. But 232 yards in total with 147 yards-80 yard split between Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen respectively is nothing to sneeze at. Howard racked up two touchdowns while Cohen dazzled with a couple himself only to be called back by penalties and stepping out of bounds. Even Mitchell Trubisky scored his first career rushing touchdown, the first quarterback rushing score since November 1st, 2015 with Jay Cutler’s two-yard scramble against the Vikings.
And for the first time this entire year, the passing game looked brilliant. The mastermind Trubisky was finally allowed to throw the ball and he proved what he is capable of. He played by far the best football of his career, going a strong 25 for 32 resulting in 271 yards and a touchdown. It was wonderful to finally see the iron clamp on him loosen up a bit and Trubisky being able to finally show off his talents.
Better yet, someone finally resembled a number one receiver. Kendall Wright went off (if you consider 10 catches and 107 yards as going off) and made some pretty nice catches over the course of the game. On a team so devoid of weapons, having someone playing as reliable as Wright did is a miracle. Even Adam Shaheen is starting to prove his worth as a second-round pick.
However, this game was more than just a delightful treat to be enjoyed and bragged about this week until the Bears potentially drop a matchup against the lowly Browns. This game was a peep into the future.
Ok, ok, I get it. Only one game against a weak Bengals team, nothing to lose our minds about. Let’s not get ahead ourselves, but if everything goes to plan, this really is the Chicago Bears of the future no matter the opponent. Are they going to burst onto the scene a la Philadelphia Eagles to be a top team in the league next year? No, probably not, this is still only one game. But with a few tweaks and upgrades on top of a new head coach, this level of play is what we can expect out of the Bears on a weekly basis.
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Ep 103: Tom Brady Retires, Sean Payton To Broncos, Super Bowl Primer
by Full Press Coverage on February 5, 2023 at 3:49 pm
The NFL is changing. I don’t think that will come as a surprise to anyone. You no longer need an elite defense to win, strong run games are simply nice to have, and no one will ever win without a great quarterback. The Bears for years have completely ignored this evolution and haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1985. And Ryan Pace understands this. By loading up on athletic, versatile defenders and speed and flare on offense, he is adapting the Bears’ roster to the game today born from spread offenses and uptempo pass games.
Pace’s rebuild plan hasn’t born fruit yet but the flowers are dying and the apples and pears are beginning to form. Trubisky is the prototypical modern quarterback and under a coach that can really key in on his skills (*cough* Matt LaFleur *cough*) and develop his throw on the run ability and precision accuracy, he is a receiver away from being a top ten quarterback in the league.
Cohen flipped the switch on the run game from stun to kill. His shiftiness is exhilarating and this allows for a ton of creativity on the offensive. From wildcats, goofy reverses, to running back passes, whoever the Bears get in at offensive coordinator next year will be able to have a lot of fun. And even in the worst case scenario, there will still be Jordan Howard to carry the offense.
Kyle Fuller is in the midst of a career year and rookie sensation Eddie Jackson is a big play machine. Leonard Floyd is the next great pass rusher in this league and Danny Trevathan is consistently one of the best players on the field at all times when healthy.
But the offense still has holes at the receiver and the offensive line needs to stay healthy. The secondary is still down a shutdown corner and another elite pass rusher to pair with the promising Floyd is necessary. A kicker would be nice and Cohen is more often than not an awful returner. This article is not to say the Bears are a great team after one game but the talent is there and after years of rough seasons, the future is finally beginning to look up.
The future is bright in Chicago. The Bengals game proved this. The Bears have a plan and that plan is slowly unfolding in the right direction. Even if it’s not this next season, it won’t be long until the Bears are among the cream of the crop in the league.
Super Bowl LIV here we come.
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Ep 142: Former Washington Quarterback And Super Bowl Champion Doug Williams Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm
Former Washington quarterback and Super Bowl champion Doug Williams joins […]
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Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
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Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
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Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
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Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
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Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
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Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
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Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
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Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
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Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
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Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
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Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
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Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
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Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
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(Episode 3.2) Offseason Talk with the "Command This!" Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 3:04 am
George Carmi hosts Steve, Dev, and Phil as they discuss the Commanders […]
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Ep 167: Super Bowl LVII Previewby Full Press Coverage on February 1, 2023 at 12:33 am
This season premiere featured a preview of the NFL's season finale. In […]
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2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines heading into Super Bowl 57 […]
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2/6 - Kyrie Irving Traded, Sean Payton To Broncos, Early Super Bowl Oddsby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyrie Irving trade, Sean Payton heading to […]
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2/3 - Tom Brady Retires... For Goodby Full Press Coverage on February 3, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Ian and John react to Tom Brady's second, and likely final, retirement. […]
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1/31 - Tom Brady and the 49ers, Aaron Rodgers Futureby Full Press Coverage on January 31, 2023 at 9:00 am
Ian and John discuss whether or not the 49ers loss in the NFC Championship […]
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Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
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Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
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Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
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Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
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Suns at Netsby Broken Controller Media on February 7, 2023 at 5:00 pm
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2/7 - Super Bowl Headlines, Mahomes, Tom Brady Podcastby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:30 pm
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Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
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Full Press MMA - Monday, February 6thby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 12:00 am
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Ep. 93: Vanderbilt Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbinby Full Press Coverage on February 6, 2023 at 11:03 pm
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Bucks at Trail Blazersby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 11:00 pm
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Thunder at Warriorsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 10:00 pm
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Mavericks at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 9:15 pm
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Kings at Rocketsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 8:30 pm
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Spurs at Bullsby Broken Controller Media on February 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm
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1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
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Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
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1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
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1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
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12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
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Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm