Tag: Alec Ogletree

Studs and duds from Bears’ prime-time loss to Vikings

Despite the Bears’ disappointing loss to the Vikings, there were some players who stood out in a good way.

It was another prime-time dud for the Chicago Bears this season as they fell to their division rivals the Minnesota Vikings 17-9, dropping to 4-10 on the season. The Bears have now lost all four of their prime-time games this season and clinch their first double-digit loss season since 2017.

Offensively, the Bears were able to move the ball fairly well against the Vikings, but stalled multiple times due to turnovers and failing to convert on fourth downs.

The defense, however, did their part and kept them in the game all night long. They limited the Vikings to under 20 points and under 200 yards, bottling up their running game especially. But costly penalties led to points, putting this game out of reach.

The Bears were without many of their key players and relied on quite a few practice squad guys to fill the void. Did any of them standout as studs? Here are this week’s studs and duds.

5 bold predictions for Bears’ Week 5 matchup vs. Raiders

From Justin Fields’ big day to Khalil Mack’s revenge, here are our bold predictions for the Bears’ Week 5 matchup vs. Raiders.

I don’t know if I’m just in a good mood following the news that Justin Fields is the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears moving forward or what, but I have a dangerous amount of enthusiasm for this team on Sunday. I honestly have not felt this confident about an upcoming offensive performance since last season’s beatdown in Jacksonville.

I know the Las Vegas Raiders are 3-1 and Sin City can certainly make you do crazy things, but I’m feeling good about a big win this week for the Bears to go over .500 for the first time this season. Here’s how they’ll get there in this week’s bold predictions.

Bears 2021 first quarter awards: MVP, most improved, top rookie and more

We’re handing out awards for the Bears’ first four games, including MVP, most improved, most disappointing and top rookie.

The Chicago Bears have made it through the first quarter of the 2021 NFL season exactly where many pictured them to be, although it happened a little differently than many expected.

Chicago currently sits at 2-2 with expected wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions and losses to some very talented teams in the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns.

These first four weeks have paved the way for some impressive performances, as well as some unexpected surprises — both good and bad.

Here are our first-quarter awards, including team MVP, top offensive and defensive players, most improved and most disappointing, top rookie and best newcomer.

Stock up, stock down from Bears’ Week 4 win

We’re taking a look at which Bears players saw their stock rise and which players saw their stock dip in their Week 4 win.

The Chicago Bears recorded their second win of the season with a 24-14 victory over the Detroit Lions, where the offense finally found its rhythm behind David Montgomery, Justin Fields and new play caller Bill Lazor.

The Bears improved to 2-2 on the season heading into a six-game stretch that’s their most difficult of the season.

Now that the dust has settled, we’re taking a look at which players saw their stock rise and which players saw their stock dip during the win.

Studs and duds from Bears’ Week 4 win vs. Lions

Here are a few duds and plenty of studs from the Bears’ Week 4 win over the Lions.

Following a brutal Week 3 loss, the Chicago Bears responded with a needed win over their division rivals with a 24-14 win over the Detroit Lions, where the offense and defense both contributed in the victory.

Rookie quarterback Justin Fields made his second NFL start, and it went much better than his first, where he found receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney often. Running back David Montgomery led the way on the ground with his first 100-yard game against the Lions, but he did exit with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, the defense bent but didn’t break in this game, where they had two takeaways, four sacks and gave up just 14 second-half points. Robert Quinn and Khalil Mack recorded one sack apiece in the victory.

Here are a few duds and plenty of studs from the Bears’ Week 4 win over the Lions.

Bears defense intercepts Bengals QB Joe Burrow on 3 straight passes

The Bears defense intercepted Joe Burrow on three consecutive passes in the fourth quarter, including a Roquan Smith pick-6.

Following an embarrassing loss to the Los Angeles Rams to open the season, the Chicago Bears defense was determined to right the ship against the Cincinnati Bengals.

With Justin Fields taking over for an injured Andy Dalton, the Bears defense has stepped up to help their rookie quarterback in his first game with significant action.

The Bears defense came away with three huge takeaways on consecutive drives early in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Roquan Smith came down with arguably the play of the game with a pick-6 of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, where Smith returned it 53 yards for the score.

It was Burrow’s first interception in 200 pass attempts, which was the longest active streak in the NFL. But it wasn’t his last of the game.

On the next possession, Burrow was picked off by Bears second-year cornerback Jaylon Johnson, which marked his first career interception.

But, wait, there’s more!

With the Bengals still trailing 17-3, Burrow was the victim of poor pass protection, where Bears linebacker Alec Ogletree got in his face and forced an interception to Bears defensive lineman Angelo Blackson. Chicago would score a field goal.

Burrow is the first player with an interception on three consecutive pass attempts since Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018.

The Bears lead 20-10 in the fourth quarter.

Bears vs. Rams: 5 things to watch in Week 1 matchup

From Andy Dalton’s debut to opportunities for players on defense, here are five things to watch as the Bears battle the Rams in Week 1.

The Chicago Bears will battle the Los Angeles Rams in prime time to kick off their 2021 season, where the Bears will be looking to pull off an upset of the favored Rams.

This matchup marks the fourth consecutive year these two teams will meet — the fourth straight on prime time, no less — where Chicago will need to play near-flawless football if they hope to make this a game.

From Andy Dalton’s debut to opportunities for players on defense, here are five things to watch in their Week 1 matchup — and a final prediction!

Bear Necessities: Alec Ogletree embracing new opportunity in Chicago

Alec Ogletree is taking advantage of his time with Bears, and he has an opportunity to make a strong case for the permanent starting job.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

Everything happens for a reason, including linebacker Alec Ogletree’s rise up the Bears’ depth chart over the last month. When Ogletree signed a one-year deal with the Bears back in August, the team was dealing with injuries to several linebackers in training camp.

While the intent might’ve been to bring Ogletree in as another camp body, it didn’t take long for that plan to be rewritten. Ogletree made an immediate impression, notching six interceptions in four practices and was impressive enough to even push starter Danny Trevathan for playing time.

For all the flack that outside linebacker Robert Quinn gets for his disappointing outing thus far, he’s part of the reason why Ogletree landed with the Bears. Ogletree was visiting his friend and former Rams teammate Quinn in Chicago when he got the call.

“I had been training to be ready to play and hopefully get a call,” Ogletree said. “But when the call came, it definitely came out of the blue.

“It was definitely perfect timing, I guess I would say. Things are aligning properly I feel like for me and my family. I just try to cherish the opportunity to be in this league because I was on the outside looking in, and you see a lot of guys that struggle on the outside, and for me to be able to have a better opportunity to come back into this league and play and do what I love to do, I just try to take it day-by-day and enjoy the moment of being here with the guys and being able to do what I love.”

Whether it was luck or fate that brought Ogletree to the Bears, the important thing is that he’s in Chicago at a time when he’s needed the most. Ogletree will get the start opposite Roquan Smith at least for the next three weeks with Trevathan on injured reserve with a knee injury.

But Ogletree has an opportunity to make an even bigger impression with a strong performance in these first three games, which could earn him the starting job on a more permanent basis.

“I heard this quote one time,” Ogletree said. “Something along the lines of, ‘Luck is when opportunity presents itself and you capitalize on the opportunity.’

“You’re not always going to have the right opportunity to do something, even though you think you should. But when you do have the opportunity, it’s what you do with that opportunity while you’re there. So like I said, I just tried to take it day-by-day, didn’t want to hold anything back. Just tried to come out and be me and capitalize on the opportunity that the Bears gave me.”

Bears have 7 new starters on their roster heading into 2021 season

When the Bears kick things off against the Rams on Sunday, they’ll have 7 new starters to begin the 2021 season.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of the 2021 season, where they’ll open on the road against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football. Things are going to look a little different for the Bears this season, as there are a handful of new starters making their debuts on Sunday night.

Here’s a look at positions with new starters heading into the 2021 season.

Report: Bears LB Danny Trevathan to be placed on short-term injured reserve

According to Brad Biggs, the Bears are expected to place LB Danny Trevathan on short-term IR, which means it’ll be Alec Ogletree starting.

When the Chicago Bears announced their initial 53-man roster, there were questions about why they were carrying seven inside linebackers. It sounds like we have an idea why as the Bears are expected to place Danny Trevathan on short-term injured reserve to start the season, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Trevathan landing on injured reserve clears the way for Alec Ogletree to start alongside Roquan Smith at inside linebacker when the Bears face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1.

Ogletree, who signed with the Bears on Aug. 4, was one of the biggest surprises from training camp and preseason, where he quickly played his way into a roster spot. Ogletree’s impressive performance prompted many to wonder if he could challenge Trevathan for playing time.

Trevathan played in Chicago’s preseason finale against the Titans, where he had an interception. He appeared fine, but something obviously happened.

With Trevathan out for at least the first three games, Ogletree has an opportunity to play himself into a permanent starting role alongside Smith.

When the Bears place Trevathan and rookie offensive tackle Teven Jenkins on IR, that’ll free up two roster spots, likely for cornerbacks.

[vertical-gallery id=479512]

[listicle id=479640]

[listicle id=479612]