When I likened Matt Nagy to Sean McVay and predicted the Bears would make a jump similar to the Rams a year previous, my expectation was not for Chicago to be leading the NFC North at 7-3. The Bears are even ahead of my optimistic curve. I figured they would win 9 games this season, which in itself would be a drastic four-win improvement from 2017. This was truly a statement victory for Nagy in prime time, at home defending Soldier Field. And to think, Chicago's three losses came by a combined 11 points. They should have won their season opener, in spite of Rodgers's heroics, had Fuller held onto the game-clinching INT. Although Fuller has four INT on the season, his ball skills still lack at times. He could easily have six or seven picks through 10 games. Otherwise Fuller is one of my favorite corners to watch in 2018, along with Byron Jones and Casey Hayward. Parkey missed a FG in the Miami L. Kevin White nearly played hero against the Pats to potentially tie the game late. What I'm saying is it's looking more and more like the Bears are for real quicker than most of us expected. I can see them going 3-3 or 4-2 to finish the regular season and win the NFCN. Although that Giants game on the road looks like a trap game sandwiched between a Thanksgiving trip to Detroit and hosting the Rams in prime time at Soldier Field.
Khalil Mack rightfully receives a lot of the defensive attention and credit, but Akiem Hicks has been a monster in Chicago for 2+ years and nobody talks about him enough. So many plays stand out from tonight: Manhandling Murray at the LOS early first quarter, the constant pressure and sack on Cousins, chasing down Cook from behind on the screen to the right.
Amukamara was decent most of the night. Started to get beat in the fourth quarter as Minny was hitting the quick slants. Callahan has been solid in the slot all year. Only play that majorly stood out negatively was Thielen's two-point conversion.
I felt a completely game-changing play for the Vikes was Cousins overthrowing Diggs in the first quarter. Diggs beat Fuller cleanly on the double move and had a good step and a half on Fuller for what should have been an easy pitch-and-catch.
Weatherly caught my eye defensively for the Vikings. Got good pressure once or twice in the second half. Had the huge outside contain on one of Chicago's misdirection plays. Couldn't have played it better.
Taylor Gabriel was everywhere for the Bears. On reverses, catching passes traditionally, etc. That four-year, $26M deal is looking a steal at this point. Gabriel already surpassed his career high for receptions in a season, and will soon do the same for yards.
Mitch can't throw a pick driving, up 14-0. You can afford to throw it away. Play field position and punt (forget if it was even third down). On Harris's second INT, which set up Minny's first FG.
Tarik Cohen has always been my guy. We all knew Nagy would use him like a poor man's Tyreek. Fumble aside, all the speed and width he adds to Chicago's offense opens up the traditional run game for Howard to grind. Bears have their thunder and lightning in that sense.
My one criticism of Nagy is that he does tend to turtle up and call a much more conservative game when the Bears are leading by double digits. Did it in the opener against GB, again tonight vs. Vikes and think he did the same thing in Miami when Chicago blew an 11-point lead Week 6.