👋 Good morning!
Was anybody genuinely shocked by the NBA news yesterday?
Since the Tim Donaghy scandal in 2007, any time a call has gone against the Bulls or in favor of LeBron James [*cough* 2016 NBA Finals *cough*], my initial reaction is always that the game is rigged.
Anyway, you won’t find any X-ray poker tables or threatening mafiosos at Joe’s on Weed St. this Sunday during our CHGO Bears Watch Party.
Call your sons, call your daughters, call your friends, call your neighbors, and we’ll see you all for Bears-Ravens. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.
🏈🍺 WATCH PARTY 🍺🏈
Join Us For:
• CHGO Bears Pre & Post Shows
• Bears at Ravens (noon)
• Brick By Brick w/ Briggs & Azumah
Where: Joe’s on Weed St.
When: October 26th at 10:30 a.m.
Diehards Get 20% Off
More Info HERE
Sizing Up The Ravens
Whether or not Lamar Jackson plays on Sunday, it still feels like the Bears’ chances against the Ravens will come down to the offense’s ability to put points on the board.
Luckily for the Bears, Caleb Williams and the passing attack should have a decent shot to do so against one of the league’s worst defensive units.
Ravens By The Numbers: Through six games, the Ravens’ defense ranks 30th in the league in yards allowed per game (380.8) — including 246.7 passing yards/game — and 31st in EPA/play. They’re also allowing the most points per game (32.3)
Granted, they’ve been through a gauntlet to begin the season, losing games to the Bills, Lions, Chiefs, Texans and Rams. The combined record of those teams? 20-13.
They’ve also been without All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith since Week 5. He’ll be back against the Bears on Sunday.
Something To Keep An Eye On: The Ravens’ 27.1% blitz rate, a facet of the game Caleb Williams has excelled against this year, is smack-dab in the middle of the Bears’ other opponents this season.
Heard at Halas:
Rome Odunze on facing a desperate 1-5 Ravens team: “I think it just comes down to practicing hard this week, understanding that we're going against a very talented team, a team that has their back against the wall a little bit, just with the record and their aspirations for the season. So know that we're going to get their best shot.”
Declan Doyle on the Ravens: “Their record is not indicative of the way this team plays. It’s a long-standing organization, a lot of continuity with the coaching staff and then players, they’re fast, they’re physical, they have a lot of talent on defense. … Kyle Hamilton is a good player. You’re looking at a number of their players – [Kyle] Van Noy on the edge.
“They still have a number of guys that are playing at a high level. The way they play is impressive to watch on film. I have a ton of respect for their coaching staff.”
It’s such a tricky game to predict.
On one hand, history (and our brains) tells us it’d be silly to underestimate the Baltimore Ravens, especially if two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is playing.
On the other hand, that defense is old and bad. Not a great combo in today’s NFL.
Regardless, I’d expect a high-scoring affair. After all, this Bears defense — for all of the takeaways they’ve forced over this four-game win streak — is still relatively boom or bust.
Against the Vikings in Week 1, the Bears forced seven punts. Since then, they’ve forced just 10 in five games. Granted, the takeaways have skewed those numbers (a good thing!), but you’d like to see them force some three-and-outs more consistently going forward.
Anyway, I think I’m leaning toward the Bears.
An inside look at why interceptions are skyrocketing under secondary coach Al Harris
Blackhawks 3, Lightning 2: Nobody bloodies Connor Bedard and gets away with it. Bedard being forced off the ice because his mouth was still dripping with blood was a great “hockey tough” look.
Ryan Donato is also on fire with five goals in his last four games, scoring in each contest. He added two last night, including the game-winner on a right-time-right-place rebound.
And suddenly the Blackhawks are 4-2-2 and genuinely getting better each night under coach Jeff Blashill.
Are the Hawks back? Maybe. What I do know is that it appears the black sweaters are almost certainly back.
Fanatics apparently sent several to fans with large social media followings and those pictures spread like wildfire before Thursday night’s win (most have since disappeared from online).
Hmm…
Completely and totally unrelated, Chris Chelios Bobblehead Night at the United Center is December 13th. And what’s the bobblehead wearing? A black sweater.
Hmm…
Still Counts: It might not be MLB’s official award, but Cade Horton was named The Sporting News National League Rookie of the Year on Thursday.
In 118.0 IP, Horton absolutely delivered on expectations with a 2.67 ERA. A rib injury slightly derailed his season, forcing him to miss the postseason. But after the All-Star break, few — not just rookies — were better than Horton.
In 12 starts in the second half of the year, Horton finished with an 8-1 record, a 1.03 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 61.1 innings — all this despite being kept on a pitch count to preserve his arm.
Well deserved.
Hey Jay…what the hell is this?
🐻 Hoge & Jahns
12:00 on YouTube
Something on your mind? Rate this issue and leave a comment, question or topic to discuss!
