👋 Merry Christmas (Eve)!
Nothing says Christmas like a winter heat wave.
For as much as I love the song, it feels like we haven’t had a white Christmas in years.
But I won’t complain about having the chance to relax with friends and family before the football season really kicks into high gear.
And perhaps we’ll watch the 22-minute video of the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime from Saturday’s win for a fourth time.
Once ‘fra-gee-lay,’ Caleb Williams’ relationship with Ben Johnson reaches new heights
At The Top of Our Christmas Lists…
It’s certainly been an interesting year in Chicago sports. But what would you like to see wrapped up underneath each team’s tree on Christmas morning?
I asked my tremendous teammates for a little help putting together a proper list. Here’s what they had to say…
Adam Jahns: The top seed in the NFC.
The Bears could use the bye week to heal some bumps and bruises. It would also give receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III more time to return. It has to be earned, though. There are no real gifts in the playoffs.
In order to win the NFC, the Bears have to win out against the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions. But they also require some help – or gifts.
If the Baltimore Ravens beat the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, the Bears clinch the NFC North. The Bears also need the Seattle Seahawks to lose one game to have a chance at the No. 1 seed. That starts with rooting for the Carolina Panthers this week. They host the Seahawks.
Jay Zawaski: It would be tempting to say “Connor Bedard” or “Frank Nazar” to come back healthy, but we need to keep it real for Santa. Both those guys will be back eventually.
Right now, we all need a win. It could be a 1-0 slop-fest. It could be a 7-1 ass-kicking. Any win will do. Please, Santa, the vibes are at an all-time low right now.
Will Gottlieb: Merry Christmas to all the Bulls fans out there who’ve stayed on the rollercoaster through the five-game win streaks and seven-game losing streak. You’re the real hero.
Hopefully, Billy Donoclaus and Arturas Krampisovas will reward you with whatever it is you’re hoping for this holiday season.
Maybe your wishes are different from mine, but here’s what I’m hoping to see from the Bulls this year:
A finish outside of the Play-In range, one way or the other.
I’m stealing this take from Matt Peck, but he’s absolutely right. Getting to the playoffs would be a welcome surprise for the Bulls in 2026 after what will have been a four-year hiatus, including three-straight Play-In losses to the Miami Heat. If they’re not going to make the top six, I’d be just as happy with a legit shot to get a top-three pick in the loaded 2026 class.
Exchange flexibility for assets.
The Bulls will have almost $75 million in cap space this summer, but they need to act now if they want to make use of it. They likely won’t be able to make any big splash when it comes to free agents, so they need to trade expiring contracts for picks and/or longer-term deals to set themselves up for the future.
More offense from Matas Buzelis.
If Buzelis is the only current Bull still on the roster in three years, it wouldn’t surprise me. He’s shown progress throughout the course of the season and has done more with the ball in his hands of late, but it would be nice to see him with more chances to create so that he can eventually reach his ceiling.
Joey Christopoulos: A lot to consider for a team about to celebrate its 10-year World Series reunion in 2026. But let’s keep it simple. Get serious, Cubs. Improve the team with impact talent. Push the envelope and get uncomfortable.
Win the Central for once. Push for the Pennant. Get dangerous again. 92 Wins and a wild-card round win are good pieces of news. But Cubs fans are ready for the “next great Cubs team”. Time to win again. And win big, 2032 Cubs be damned.
And last one, Santa, how about a 40/40 PCA Superstar season under the tree for 2026?
See you in the 1:20 Club, Santa. Next round’s on CHGO.
Sean Anderson: Christmas came early! After all the gifts were passed out, one massive gift was hidden away. To Sox fans' surprise, a Japanese slugger oozing with charm. Dreaming of “Babe Ruth of Higo” would have been enough, but Munetaka Murakami delighted the South Side with endearing English remarks. With a stocking stuffer of Sean Newcomb to boot!
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Flyers 3, Blackhawks 1: In fairness, this was probably the best the Blackhawks have looked since Connor Bedard’s injury.
However, it still wasn’t enough, and the losing streak has reached six games (0-5-0 since Bedard’s injury).
If you’re looking for a silver lining, Ryan Donato scored his first goal since November 28th.
Bulls 126, Hawks 123: Sometimes it’s not going to make sense. The Bulls might be in an awfully familiar situation, but they’re frisky. And pesky. There’s something to be said about their ability to always make things interesting.
Despite trailing by as much as 18 in the second quarter, the Bulls stole the lead back with 1:20 remaining in the fourth.
Josh Giddey became the fastest player to record a triple-double in Bulls history, doing so in 20 minutes. He finished with 19 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds.
Don’t look now — the Bulls are riding a four-game win streak and back to one game under .500.
Nods & Snubs: Safety Kevin Byard III, center Drew Dalman and left guard Joe Thuney were elected on Tuesday to represent the Bears at the Pro Bowl in San Francisco.
It’s Byard’s third nod (2017 & 2021), Dalman’s first and Thuney’s fourth in a row.
Notably missing from the list is Nahshon Wright, who leads the NFL in takeaways.
On Wright’s snub, Kevin Byard said: “He has a first-team All-Pro that's on the way, and in my opinion, that's honestly more important to me, or important to him for sure.”
Another year and another holiday means another chance for me to express my deepest gratitude to everybody who’s subscribed, read and enjoyed this newsletter.
So many of you have reached out with unbelievably kind comments, and a few have added their harsh critiques, which I appreciate just as much. OK, maybe not as much.
This job and this platform have opened the door to so many wonderful moments, opportunities and relationships, and I’m truly grateful for each and every one.
Thank you so much for allowing me into your inbox just about every morning, and thank you for your support!
Enjoy the holidays, and I’ll catch you all next Monday before we ring in 2026. Time flies when you’re having fun!
Thanks again & Merry Christmas,
Pat
📺 Brick x Brick
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Something on your mind? Rate this issue and leave a comment, question or topic to discuss!
Talk to you next week!
– P.N.
