Tag: Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons

Falcons WR Julio Jones will be game-time decision vs. Bears

Falcons star WR Julio Jones has been battling a hamstring injury that’s held him out of practice, and he’ll be a game-time decision.

The Chicago Bears might just catch an injury break when it comes to Sunday’s match-up against the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons star receiver Julio Jones has been battling a hamstring injury that’s held him out of practice this week. And according to head coach Dan Quinn, Jones will be a game-time decision on Sunday.

If Jones can’t play, that would be a huge break for the Bears, as he’s the kind of player teams game-plan specifically for. Especially as he’s at the center of Atlanta’s high-powered offense.

That would mean Calvin Ridley, Riley Ridley’s older brother, would be WR1 heading into a pivotal Week 3 contest. Ridley has been lighting it up this season for the Falcons, as he’s tied with Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs for the most receiving yards with 239 and leads the league with four touchdowns.

The Falcons have also already ruled out safety Ricardo Allen and cornerback Kendall Sheffield for Sunday’s game against the Bears.

Falcons WR Julio Jones missed practice again with hamstring injury

The Bears might catch a break. WR Julio Jones continues to nurse a hamstring injury, which has held him out of practice again on Thursday.

The Chicago Bears were one of the few lucky teams to escape last week’s Bloody Sunday without any major injuries. Although, they did lose defensive tackle John Jenkins for at least three weeks to a thumb injury. But they’ve certainly been more fortunate than others.

One of the teams that hasn’t been as lucky has been the Atlanta Falcons, whose injury report list this week has been quite long. And it hasn’t been without its notable names. The Bears might just catch a break in terms of injuries if some important starters can’t suit up.

The biggest name that’s dominated the injury report has been Falcons receiver Julio Jones, who didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday. Jones aggravated his hamstring in Atlanta’s brutal loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which makes his availability for Sunday’s game a question mark.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that Jones’ status is still very much in the air for Sunday.

Jones is one of the best receivers in the NFL, and an integral part to the success of Atlanta’s high-flying offense. If Jones can’t go, that would put the workload on third-year wideout Calvin Ridley. Bad news for the Falcons, good news for the Bears.

While Ridley is off to an impressive start — 16 receptions for 239 yards and four touchdowns — he’s accomplished that as the No. 2 guy. If Jones doesn’t play, the target will be placed firmly on Ridley’s back.

Bears injury report: Khalil Mack limited in Thursday’s practice

The Bears released their injury report for Thursday’s practice, and it was good news, which is something the Falcons can’t say right now.

The Chicago Bears released their injury report for Thursday’s practice, and it was good news, which is something their upcoming opponent the Atlanta Falcons can’t say right now.

While the Bears have a crowded injury report, which includes some minor injuries with receivers Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller and Darnell Mooney, as well as pass rusher Robert Quinn, those players and more practiced in full on Thursday.

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack was the only player that didn’t practice in full, as he was limited Thursday. Mack has been limited in every practice thus far this season, and he’s managed to start in both games this season.

The Falcons haven’t been as lucky on the injury front. A handful of players didn’t practice for the second straight day, including most notably receiver Julio Jones, who is nursing a hamstring injury.

We’ll see how tomorrow looks before the Falcons designate game statuses for the likes of some important players, including Jones.

PODCAST: How seriously should we take these 2-0 Bears?

As the Bears prepare for their Week 3 contest against the Atlanta Falcons, we discuss this 2-0 Bears team, Mitchell Trubisky and more.

The Chicago Bears can please no one — even when they’re riding undefeated after two games this season.

To be fair, the Bears have been less than impressive in their first two games against some underwhelming Detroit Lions and New York Giants teams. The Bears have played just three great quarters of football in two weeks, but they’ve still managed to cling to a 2-0 record.

Chicago’s offense is much improved, but it still leaves a lot to be desired. But the Bears run game has been thriving and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is showing encouraging signs of improvement. The Bears defense, while allowing the third fewest points in the league, can still be better than they’ve been.

Sure, the wins were far from pretty and the Bears could just as easily be 0-2 if not for a dropped D’Andre Swift touchdown and an incomplete pass in the end zone. But the Bears are undefeated, which is more than 21 other teams can say at this point.

As the Bears prepare for their Week 3 contest against the Atlanta Falcons, host Ryan O’Leary (@RyanOLearySMG) and myself discussed this 2-0 Bears team, Trubisky’s improvement and previewed the match-up against the Falcons in the fourth episode of our brand new Bears Wire podcast.

You can listen to the fourth episode below:

You can catch a new episode every Thursday on Apple Podcasts or your podcast service of choice.

Next week’s episode will recap the Bears’ Week 3 contest against the Falcons and preview Chicago’s Week 4 match-up against the Indianapolis Colts.

Bears injury report: Khalil Mack limited, John Jenkins DNP on Wednesday

The Bears released their first injury report of the week ahead of their Week 3 match-up against the Falcons, and it was encouraging.

The Chicago Bears released their first injury report of the week on Wednesday ahead of their Week 3 match-up against the Atlanta Falcons, and it was a welcome change from previous weeks. Especially since so many teams suffered some brutal injuries last Sunday, and the Bears came out of things relatively healthy.

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack was limited on Wednesday, as he continues to nurse a knee injury that he’s played through the first two weeks. Nose tackle John Jenkins did not practice with a thumb injury, which will be something to keep an eye on. He just about split reps with nose tackle Bilal Nichols last week against the New York Giants.

One of the encouraging signs from Wednesday’s practice is that outside linebacker Robert Quinn, who dealt with an ankle injury that kept him out of the season opener, practiced in full.

The injury report also notes some slight injuries that some Bears players are dealing with, including receiver Allen Robinson (knee), receiver Anthony Miller (calf), receiver Darnell Mooney (quad) and tight end Cole Kmet (shoulder). They all practiced in full on Wednesday.

There were also three players that had a veteran resting day, including tight end Jimmy Graham, inside linebacker Danny Trevathan and receiver Ted Ginn Jr.

On the Falcons side of things, there are a plethora of injuries. Receiver Julio Jones (hamstring) was among nine players that did not practice Wednesday, along with their top two edge rushers and both starting offensive tackles.

So, all things considered, the Bears are sitting in a good place right now.

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson ready to face one of the best in Falcons WR Julio Jones

Jaylon Johnson has been anticipating the challenging of facing some of the game’s best receivers. Now, Johnson is going to get his wish.

If there’s one thing Bears rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson isn’t lacking, it’s confidence. Ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, Johnson was already looking forward to challenging some of the game’s best receivers.

Now, Johnson is going to get his wish.

The undefeated Bears will play the winless Falcons in Week 3, where Johnson will face his biggest challenge yet. Atlanta has a talented duo of receivers in Calvin Ridley and, one of the game’s best, Julio Jones.

“Just being able to match up against arguably one of the best receivers of this generation,” said Johnson. “I mean, being able to line up against him, and then Calvin Ridley is an upcoming star as well. Just being able to match up against this high-quality talent is just big for me in being able to get my name out there, to be able to make plays against those guys.”

While matching-up against someone like Jones would intimidate some, Johnson isn’t phased. He respects the talent of an elite receiver like Jones, who had nine catches for 157 yards in Week 1, and Johnson is ready for the challenge.

“No, not since I’ve gotten to the NFL,” said Johnson. “I did as a kid in high school and maybe in college, but at the end of the day, he bleeds the same way I bleed, so I’m just going to go out there and compete. I mean, he’s the best, and I consider myself one of the best, so we’ve just got to match up.”

The tandem of Jones and Ridley are certainly the most talented wideouts Johnson will face thus far. But he’s aware of just how explosive these Falcons receivers can be, and he’s focused on continuing to do his job to try to limit them.

“I didn’t need to dive into Atlanta,” said Johnson. “I knew who they were and their style of play way before this game. They’re definitely explosive players and very savvy route runners, and they make every route look the same. It’s just about having eye discipline and just trying to stay attached.”

Although the Bears might end up catching a break if Jones can’t go Sunday. He strained his hamstring against the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, and the team will take his injury “through the week.”

Johnson has gotten off to an impressive start as Chicago’s starting right cornerback opposite Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller. So far this season, Johnson has allowed three catches on seven targets (42.9%) for 55 yards. His five pass break-ups are the second-most in the NFL and he’s allowed a 64.2 passer rating when targeted, which is better than the six cornerbacks drafted ahead of him.

Bears open as 3.5-point underdogs vs. Falcons in Week 3

The undefeated Bears will travel to Atlanta to face the winless Falcons in what’s going to be the team’s most difficult challenge so far.

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The undefeated Chicago Bears will travel to Atlanta to face the winless Falcons in what’s going to be the team’s most difficult challenge so far this season.

Chicago is coming off another nail-biter of a finish against the New York Giants, where the Bears held off a late Giants rally to win 17-13 to advance to 2-0 for the first time since 2013.

The Bears got off to a hot start in the first half, where they marched 82 yards on 12 plays to score a touchdown on their opening possession. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky looked impressive early, as he extended plays with his feet and threw two touchdowns as a result to help give the Bears a 17-0 lead at halftime.

The second half was a different story, as the offense was held scoreless and the Giants scored 13 unanswered points before falling short in the final seconds. Still, the Bears are undefeated after two weeks, and they’ll surely take it.

But Vegas isn’t buying into the 2-0 Bears just yet. The Bears have opened as 3.5-point underdogs against the Falcons on the road, according to BetMGM.

While it could certainly feel like disrespect — as the Bears are undefeated and the Falcons winless — Atlanta put up 39 points on the Dallas Cowboys and lost. Entering Sunday, teams were 440-0 when scoring 39 points with no turnovers since 1933. Until the Falcons lost on a 46-yard field goal as time expired.

The Falcons might be winless, but they have do have a high-powered offense with quarterback Matt Ryan at the helm. But it’s his star receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley that will prove to be Chicago’s biggest challenge, which means cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and rookie Jaylon Johnson — who have been impressive in these first two games — will be tested.

But the Falcons defense has also given up 38-plus points in their first two games, which should bode well for the Bears if they can put together four quarters of football.

So while the 2-0 Bears are facing an 0-2 Falcons team, this game is easily going to be Chicago’s biggest challenge so far this season.

2020 Bears Schedule Breakdown: Atlanta Falcons

The Bears will travel to Atlanta in Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season. Can they steal a victory in a hostile environment?

Looking ahead to Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season, the Chicago Bears will travel south to face the Atlanta Falcons. The two have not met since the season opener in 2017. If you recall, Mike Glennon made his first start in a Bears uniform when the two teams met at Soldier Field.

The Bears came up just short in the contest thanks, in large part, to a Jordan Howard dropped pass at the one-yard line with 12 seconds left in the game. Granted, there’s no guarantee he would have found the endzone, but the Bears did have a timeout and at least one more play in their back pocket.

Let’s dive into their matchup this year.

Key Additions:

RB Todd Gurley, TE Hayden Hurst, OLB Dante Fowler, DT, Tyeler Davison, S Sharrod Neasman, WR Laquon Treadwell

Key Losses:

TE Austin Hooper, DE Vic Beasley, CB Desmond Trufant, DE Adrian Clayborn

2020 NFL Draft:

CB A.J. Terrell (1), DT Marlon Davidson (2), C Matt Hennessy (3), LB Mykal Walker (4), S Jaylinn Hawkins (4), P Sterling Hofrichter (7)

2019 Offensive Rankings:

Total Offense (5), Rushing Offense (30), Passing Offense (3)

2019 Defensive Rankings:

Total Defense (20), Rushing Defense (15), Passing Defense (22)

Season Series:

Bears, 14-13

What have you done for me lately?

The Bears have lost three out of the last five matchups, including a 23-17 loss at home in 2017. However, they won their previous matchup in Atlanta in 2014.

Key Stats:

Over a three-game sample size, Julio Jones has been held in check against the Chicago Bears, limiting him to just 68.3 yards-per-game and zero touchdowns. The Bears have also done well, limiting Matt Ryan’s production. In five games, Ryan has an average quarterback rating of 87.7, third-worst of any team he’s faced.

Check out game-by-game score predictions from around the NFL Wires network:

Buf / Mia / NE / NYJ // Bal / Cin / Cle / Pit // Hou / Ind / Jax / Ten // Den / KC / LV / LAC //// Dal / NYG / Phi / Was // Chi / Det / GB / Min // Atl / Car / NO / TB // Ari / LAR / SF / Sea

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Ranking the top 20 Bears games of the decade

On the eve of a new decade, we’re counting down the Bears’ best games of this past decade — including some real blasts from the past.

Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, the Chicago Bears played 164 games, including three playoff games, compiling a record of 78-86. Surprising playoff runs in 2010 and 2018 were sandwiched around lengthy stretches of mediocrity from 2013-2017, and fans were treated to a below-average product for much of the decade.

Still, there were quite a few bright spots for the NFL’s charter franchise during the last 10 years, including memorable games that provided thrilling victories. As a disappointing 2019 season concludes, let’s look back on some of the better games and moments the ’10s had to offer.

To kick off the next decade as we enter 2020, here are my top 20 Bears games from the 2010s.

20. 2019, Week 14, Cowboys at Bears

Bears 31 – Cowboys 24: Easily the best game of an otherwise disappointing season, the Bears offense came alive in primetime against the Cowboys, with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky accounting for all four touchdowns with his arm and legs in arguably his best game as a Bear. On defense, despite not creating a turnover, the unit frustrated the Cowboys offense all evening with QB pressures and excellent play from their secondary. The matchup was a pseudo-playoff game, with the Bears keeping their hopes alive for one more week in a complete-team win.

19. 2018, Week 8, Bears at Bills

Bears 41 – Bills 9: While the Buffalo Bills weren’t a powerhouse in 2018, the Bears defense still made their offense look completely inept in a blowout. Forcing four turnovers, including three interceptions from quarterback Nathan Peterman, the Bears scored twice on defense thanks to outside linebacker Leonard Floyd’s pick six and safety Eddie Jackson’s fumble recovery, and limited the Bills’ offense to just 264 yards. The reason this game isn’t higher on the list is due to the Bears offensive performance, as they gained just 190 yards.

 

18. 2011, Week 1, Falcons at Bears

Bears 30 – Falcons 12: No, this wasn’t the Bears-Falcons matchup that saw the debut of quarterback Mike Glennon, this was the first game following the Bears heartbreaking loss to the Packers in the NFC Championship game. Led by quarterback Jay Cutler, who threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, the Bears won convincingly against the reigning NFC South champions and held the Falcon offense to just six points. This game also featured an impressive performance from Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, who had an interception and a fumble recovery for a score. The defense had a total of three takeaways and started the 2011 season with a bang.

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