Bear Download — A Chicago Bears podcast

Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy sits down — virtually, of course — for a conversation with Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs. They cover a number of topics in this exclusive interview, starting with how Nagy plans to set up his offense without a starting quarterback in place. From there they move on to receiver Allen Robinson’s contract situation, why Nagy is so high on receiver Darnell Mooney and what new defensive coordinator Sean Desai brings to the table. By the way, Nagy is well-aware of the heightened urgency heading into his fourth season at the helm: “We welcome the challenge.”

The NFL’s new league year begins March 17. Where do the Chicago Bears find themselves with free agency and the draft looming? Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs discuss the team’s most pressing needs — starting with quarterback. Mitch Trubisky won’t be back. Nick Foles likely will be, but the Bears probably prefer to use him as a backup. Ryan Pace says the team has a number of options, but are any worthwhile? Trading for Deshaun Watson on Russell Wilson would be no-brainers if their current teams are willing, but chances are the Bears will have to settle for a lower-tier QB. The Bears also could stand to upgrade their receiving corps. That’s the case even if they do keep Allen Robinson. The good news for those making decisions at Halas Hall: With the salary cap expected to be low, signing recognizable names for deals that cost less than they might have in other years is well within the realm of possibility.

Welcome to a rare playoff edition of the Bear Download podcast! Fans probably feel much different about these 8-8 Chicago Bears than the 12-4 team from two seasons ago. Nevertheless, the Bears will look to make the most of their gift from the football gods. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs take a look at what went wrong (a lot) as well as what went right (a few things) in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. The good news for the Bears is they might match up better against the Saints than they did against the Pack, as Drew Brees hasn’t been the same since breaking several ribs earlier this season, and Alvin Kamara’s availability is in question after he recently tested positive for COVID-19. Ultimately, how the Bears fare might hinge on their defense, as game-changing plays have been absent for most of this season. And can they regroup if they have to play without linebacker Roquan Smith? Dan and Brad cover all that and more.

Bears-Packers. Week 17. Soldier Field. A shot at the playoffs on the line. It doesn't get any better than that, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are here to preview all the action. They start with the player who often stands in the Bears' way — Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers — before discussing what Davante Adams brings to Green Bay's offense. They look at keys to success in what could be Mitch Trubisky's final game in Chicago as Bears quarterback.

The Chicago Bears enter Week 17 of the NFL season with everything to play for, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are back to look at what's at stake after a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They break down how the Bears look heading into a big showdown with the Green Bay Packers and discuss — and rank — Mitch Trubisky’s 50 games a starter heading into Sunday’s game.

The Bears are on a winning streak! And still in the playoff hunt! Dan and Brad break down the Week 15 win over the Vikings, in which the offense with Mitch Trubisky, David Montgomery & Co. were clicking on all cylinders and the defense … needs to do more. Up next: A trip to sunny Florida against the Jaguars — and with a win, a potentially meaningful Week 17 home date vs. the Packers.

The Chicago Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings with — somehow — a possible playoff spot on the line, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are here to preview the game. They start with Mitch Trubisky's performances the last few weeks and look at changes made to the offense during that span. They then go into a discussion of Trubisky's future and whether he will be with the team next season before looking at what awaits the Bears in Minneapolis.

Dan and Brad talk about the Chicago Bears’ dominant Week 14 win over the Houston Texans that snapped a 6-game losing streak. And now there’s … playoff chances? General hope for the offense? What’s next for Mitch Trubisky and the offense — and will the win that got them to 6-7 change endings that seemed inevitable?

The Chicago Bears season has gone from bad to worse after an embarrassing loss to the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break down everything that went wrong in Week 13. They look at the struggles of the defense — long this team's strength — and question if the unit is shot or just in need of a break. They transition to discuss this weekend's opponent in the Houston Texans and, yes, revisit that fateful 2017 draft that resulted in taking Mitch Trubisky instead of Deshaun Watson. Finally, they wrap up the show by forecasting where the Bears are as an organization heading into the home stretch of the season.

The Chicago Bears welcome the Detroit Lions to Soldier Field with a chance to snap their five-game skid, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are here to preview Sunday’s matchup. They look at Mitch Trubisky’s past success against the Lions and assess how the Bears’ upcoming schedule can serve as an evaluation period for an offensive unit that has struggled all season. Finally, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press joins the show to discuss the changes in the Lion organization, including the firings of GM Bob Quinn and coach Matt Patricia.

The Chicago Bears' loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night was about as ugly as it gets, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break it all down. They discuss the poor effort by the defense — and Matt Nagy's criticism of the unit — before moving on to Mitch Trubisky's struggles in his first game since being benched during Week 3. The two look at the upcoming schedule and discuss if Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are on the hot seat.

The move is officially official: Mitch Trubisky will be the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears against the Green Bay Packers, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are here to break it down on the Bear Download podcast. The two look at the events that led to the decision, what are reasonable expectations for Trubisky and a struggling offense and what the future holds for the QB and Nick Foles.

The Chicago Bears need answers — and fast. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs do their best to offer some on this episode of the Bear Download podcast. Unfortunately for the Bears, their offensive woes are less of a slump and more of an identity. And coach Matt Nagy is struggling for explanations; just listen to his recent press conferences. So how can the Bears awaken their dormant running game? Brad is convinced that if quarterback Mitch Trubisky is healthy, it’s him and not Nick Foles who gives them the best chance to find success in this six-week sprint against several bad teams. The two games against the Green Bay Packers, on the other hand, represent two major obstacles in the Bears’ quest to reach the postseason. Getting more out of their best offensive player, receiver Allen Robinson, can only help — and he’s putting his faith in the coaching staff.

Once 5-1, the Chicago Bears are now 5-4 and a home underdog against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. How did they get here, and how can they right the ship? Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs start by breaking down the offense, specifically the offensive line. Also, putting themselves in playoff contention might require the Bears to use their offense to set up the defense and for coach Matt Nagy to dial back his aggressiveness. Turning to the defense, yes, the news is better. However, the unit isn’t making as many splash plays as it once did. Dan and Brad wrap up by naming players who have been impressive despite the Bears’ free-fall — and one of those players happens to be on special teams.

After a miserable showing on offense by the Chicago Bears against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7, Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs try to make sense of it all before the Week 8 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. They compare this season's offensive woes to last year's struggles, discuss Matt Nagy's play calling and even explore the big question: Will Mitch Trubisky play again this season?

The Chicago Bears are 5-1 — but are they legit? And what are we to make of their start to the season? Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break down the victory against the Carolina Panthers and look ahead to the challenge that awaits Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams on the latest episode of the Bear Download podcast.

Can the Chicago Bears fix their offensive woes heading into Week 6 on the road against the Carolina Panthers? Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break it all down.

It’s a short week for the Chicago Bears coming off a frustrating loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and next up are Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Thursday night matchup puts the Bears in the national spotlight, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs dive into how Matt Nagy’s team can make that a good thing (besides Nick Foles’ success against Brady in a certain Super Bowl). For starters, the Bears must ignite their offense — starting with the running game — in some way, shape or form. As Dan and Brad run through the Bears' big names on the offensive side of the ball, only Allen Robinson gets high marks. And as well as the defense has played overall the past few years, the dearth of sacks and takeaways lately does not bode well (paging Khalil Mack). Finally, Dan has plenty of stats to share — as well as a spot-on John Fox impression — as they wrap up their Week 5 preview.

The Bears have a new starting quarterback, and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs waste no time breaking down what the change means to the offense. If the second half of the win over Atlanta is any indication, Foles should be able to run the offense more smoothly, get the ball out more quickly and allow the Bears to run a more complex scheme. As for the defense, figure extra time will be spent in meetings this week to address mistakes made against the Falcons (cough, shoddy tackling, cough). Good thing for the Bears Akiem Hicks had a monster game, taking advantage of Atlanta zeroing in on Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. Dan and Brad also look ahead to what should be a telling six-game stretch before crowning Foles’ biggest passes from his Bears debut.

The Bears are 2-0, which is a good kind of strange for the franchise — unlike having to play without fans. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs explore how the Bears got here without being all that outstanding overall. It’s not just about quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s inconsistency, either — the defense hasn’t been as stout as the team would like. So what’s different? Dan and Brad explain why they’re impressed with the running game before previewing Sunday’s matchup at Atlanta. Finally, in Crown ‘Em, they give their way-too-early Super Bowl matchups by naming their picks for the best team in each conference. (Ahem, they agree on the NFC but differ on the AFC.)

Instead of focusing on the Chicago Bears' 27-23 comeback victory over the Detroit Lions, Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs give context to wide receiver Allen Robinson's surprise inquiry about a possible trade as contract talks appear to stall. They break down the situation and what it means for Robinson and the team going forward. They then transition to talking about the Bears' Week 1 performance as they prepare for the New York Giants in Week 2.

Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs preview the Chicago Bears' Week 1 game against the Lions in Detroit, starting with Matt Nagy's decision to go with Mitch Trubisky over Nick Foles at quarterback. They also discuss how good the defense can be this season, look at the overall concerns the team faces and finish by crowning X-factor players.

The Bears are back at practice and things are, well, confusing at Halas Hall. Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs try to make sense of it all. Much of the strangeness resulted from nine false positive COVID-19 tests, which started in the wee hours Sunday and carried through the day’s rescheduled practice. The good news is the Bears did not have a coronavirus outbreak. The bad news is this won’t be the end of the detours on that front. On the field, the quarterback competition is in full swing between Mitch Trubisky and Nick Foles — and so far neither is lighting it up. Coach Matt Nagy is among those who seems underwhelmed. Then there’s the rotating group of kickers. Will the Bears need Cairo Santos on the roster simply to back up Eddy Pineiro? Speaking of confusion, Nagy is not doing a great job explaining the situation. Injuries to star players also won’t help, though Nagy insists there’s nothing to worry about as far as two star players are concerned. And those are just some of the issues the Bears face with only a few weeks until their season opener.

Dan and Brad set the scene for the Bears’ first padded practices of training camp in 2020 by asking — and answering — 5 key questions, including Allen Robinson’s contract status and reasons for optimism. Not answered: Will Dan wear his face shield to Halas Hall daily?

The NFL finally made it — to training camp. How the league makes it to Week 1, much less the Super Bowl, amid the COVID-19 pandemic is a complicated question. But Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs lay out the most daunting issues facing the voluminous operation. Will larger meeting rooms and getting creative in between actual football practice be enough to avoid the issues that have befallen Major League Baseball? The NFL figures to be on defense until February. Speaking of defense, the Bears will have to replace lineman Eddie Goldman, who has opted out of the season because of coronavirus concerns. The Bears also have holes to fill at tight end, though their depth at that position is more substantial. Next, Dan and Brad dive into Brad’s mailbag, specifically on how best to evaluate general manager Ryan Pace — which might not be all that complicated. The same cannot be said for the Bears’ quarterback competition, though Brad and Dan think they know who will come out on top. Finally, Brad crowns Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa and his enormous contract extension — and how Khalil Mack looks more impressive because of it.   

Although the Bears halted their offseason program weeks ago, there’s still plenty for Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs to discuss. They sift through what they learned from Bears coaches, especially the ones hired fairly recently. You’ll have to excuse the coaches if they’ve been a bit vague — there’s only so much they can learn via Zoom call. Dan and Brad — and Bears fans, no doubt — can’t wait to find out if there really is an open competition at quarterback or if Mitch Trubisky has had his shot. And can modest improvements by each unit on the offense lead to a rapid ascension overall? (Dan says yes). Next they dip into Brad’s mailbag, centering on running backs (with a little kicker talk thrown in). Finally, they touch on the origins of Dan’s desk-slamming bit before crowning … sports! Just for attempting to return to competition, really. That said, safety is still paramount, and it remains to be seen what the NFL does when it is truly challenged by the coronavirus pandemic.

Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are joined by colleague Colleen Kane to discuss and process the emotional and personal talks with Bears players Danny Trevathan, Allen Robinson and Akiem Hicks and coach Matt Nagy this week. And later, after the 1st week of OTAs, breaking down what Nagy had to say about the QB competition — once they are allowed back on the field — and what the Bears still need to improve upon.

Dan Wiederer doesn’t have Brad Biggs with him on this edition of Bear Download, so he’s brought reinforcements: Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago and Dionne Miler of ABC-7. First, Dan and Jeff discuss who has the edge in the team’s quarterback battle — if there’s an edge to be had. Next, they get into the difficulties the NFL faces in returning to the field in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, including whether players can breathe through masks suitable for Cobra Commander (“G.I. Joe” reference!). Dionne jumps on with Dan from there, and they tackle Ryan Pace’s string of draft do-overs and whether Matt Nagy — or any coach, for that matter — can be effective through Zoom. Finally, while trying not to wake Dan’s daughter during nap time, they crown none other than Michael Jordan. The joyride of ESPN’s “The Last Dance” has come to an end, and it makes Dan and Dionne wistful for the energy a winner brings to Chicago — especially on the gridiron.

Schedule alert! Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs can’t just sit around and NOT discuss how it all lines up for the Bears in 2020 — even if there’s a possibility it gets thrown into upheaval by the coronavirus pandemic. For now, the duo breaks down the schedule from (seemingly soft) start to (brutal-on-paper) finish. Dan and Brad lay out the games they’re most looking forward to, which stretch will test the Bears most, which opponent might throw the team for a loop and which road trips hold the most potential for excitement. Stick around for adventures in Jacksonville — Brad’s recall ability will astound you!

With Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs’ boat party on hold (they want to get out of the house, too!) and no Bears minicamp in sight, they forge ahead with another shelter-in-place edition of the Bear Download podcast. First up: discussing whether the team got better at each offensive position group — your poll answers included! Dan and Brad then transition to That’s Just Stupid, in which they hopefully put to rest the discussion of whether the Bears should have picked up quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s fifth-year option. Then it’s on to evaluations of the defense and special teams — with very little kicker talk, we promise — before crowning the NFL for moving forward with its schedule release. Speaking of which, will the Rams’ new stadium be ready to host the Bears and other opponents, and will reporters even be allowed to attend road games for the teams they cover? Stay tuned in the weeks ahead.

The 2020 NFL draft is in the books, which means Dan Wiederer can stop running all over his house while the Bears make their picks, and Brad Biggs is free of a certain analyst who makes him scratch his head. GM Ryan Pace emerged with seven selections, and Dan and Brad dive into analysis on the latest Bear Download podcast. Much of the spotlight shines on the Bears’ second-round picks, tight end Cole Kmet and cornerback Jaylon Johnson — two positions that desperately needed upgrades. As for whether Pace did enough at wide receiver, that’s debatable. In That’s Just Stupid, Dan and Brad tackle the Packers’ decision to draft QB Jordan Love in the first round. For the record, they think it’s a smart move; they’re just not sure why so few see the potential upside. Also, it appears Brad likes saying “Gutekunst,” the last name of Green Bay’s general manager. The duo closes by assessing Mitch Trubisky’s fifth-year option (seems the Bears’ mind is made up, yes?) and by crowning the NFL for putting on a glitch-free draft. 

Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are — like the rest of the NFL — working from home in preparation for the 2020 draft. They preview the upcoming draft from a Bears perspective and address the positions most in need of an upgrade (cornerbacks, anyone?). They dig through general manager Ryan Pace's draft history and the decision to release Trey Burton before opening up Brad's mailbag.

The Bears have been busy this offseason. Maybe not Khalil Mack trade-busy, but busy nonetheless. That gives Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs plenty to discuss — while social distancing, of course — on the Bear Download podcast. They waste no time assessing the “open competition” at quarterback, though Brad believes all signs point to Nick Foles as the starter. The Bears will look to bolster their offense via the draft, of course, but even that will be completely different because of the coronavirus. The duo next look for reasons for optimism as they dive into Brad’s mailbag before breaking down all things Jimmy Graham with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. (Ahem, Bears fans might not want to set the bar too high for the tight end.) Finally, Dan and Brad crown the NFL and its teams for expanding the playoffs — although that likely means the Bears are under more pressure in the near future.

Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs are working from home — and socially distancing — as the NFL goes ahead with free agency despite the further outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The guys discuss the Bears' biggest move — acquiring quarterback Nick Foles — and what that means for Mitch Trubisky and the offense. They break down GM Ryan Pace's other moves, including Leonard Floyd's departure and Robert Quinn's signing, a surprise move for Jimmy Graham and where else the Bears need to improve. Finally, they crown the Buccaneers for pulling off the signing of a certain free-agent QB.

Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs look ahead to free agency and what the Bears and general manager Ryan Pace have in store. They begin with discussing the impending decision regarding Leonard Floyd, talk about positions to improve and the need for Pace to get the offseason right. Brad opens up his mailbag to discuss Mitch Trubisky's fifth-year option before they break down the shopping spree at quarterback that will happen across the NFL this offseason. They finish by crowning ... the Eagles?

Bears coach Matt Nagy joins the show as Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs hit the road for the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Nagy discusses the team's struggles last season, the new coaches on staff, the backup quarterback search and areas Mitch Trubisky needs to improve. Dan and Brad then discuss their conversation with Nagy and look at the run game, what tight ends might be available in the draft and which positions are up for grabs on the defense.

The NFL combine is less than a week away and Dan Wiederer and Brad Biggs break down what to expect from the event. They take a long look at the Bears quarterback situation and question the notion a marquee free agent — say, Tom Brady or Philip Rivers — would be willing to join the team even if the Bears decide Mitch Trubisky is no longer the starter. They discuss other positions of need, Brad opens up his mailbag in a new segment and the two crown a former Bears defensive coordinator.

Super Bowl LIV is in the books, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes left quite an impression — again. Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer gather in a hotel lobby, of all places, and break down the big game and how Mahomes' brilliance has the Chiefs in the NFL driver's seat. Naturally, Rich and Dan segue into the Bears' plans with Mitch Trubisky and the questions about his ability to handle everything asked of him. Then they mash up this episode's Crown 'Em and That's Just Stupid segments as Rich drops some personal news. And that leads to a nostalgic journey through the duo's last seven seasons covering the Bears.

Rich and Dan break down a newsy offseason week, starting with Matt Nagy's changes to his offensive coaching staff. They break down the arrivals of coordinator Bill Lazor, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and the promotion of passing game coordinator Dave Ragone. They wonder how all the new coaches' responsibilities will fit together and how the new group will affect the 2020 offense. They question Anthony Davis' attire and rooting interest on the Lambeau Field sideline for the divisional round of the playoffs. They wax nostalgic about Bourbonnais (with passing mention to Dan's golf game) and think aloud about public access to training camp at Halas Hall. They crown the Bears newest Hall of Famers and look ahead to Sunday's conference title games.

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer are going strong with the Bears’ season in the rear-view mirror, and they dive into the team’s kicker situation to sort out what the team accomplished with the search that led to Eddy Pineiro’s encouraging — if not convincing — 2019. Then they pivot, replacing "y" with “ie,” to examine the Bears’ decision to make Eddie Jackson the NFL’s highest paid safety. In That’s Just Stupid, they welcome Patriots coach Bill Belichick back to the podcast in honorary fly-swatter form — complete with sound bite! Next, Rich and Dan break down the NFL’s four divisional-round playoff games through navy and orange lenses. Finally, in Crown ‘Em, they pick this weekend’s postseason winners straight up and against the spread.

After the Bears' disappointing 2019 season — a “regression,” as GM Ryan Pace called it — Chairman George McCaskey, President Ted Phillips, coach Matt Nagy and Pace offered their evaluations. Some were more forthcoming with details than others. Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer dive into where the Bears go from here. (Get ready for LOTS of talk about the offense’s struggles.) After Dan’s lightning-fast recap of the Week 17 win over the Vikings and some cracking 3-word reviews, they examine five questions at the heart of the Bears’ plight: How close are they to winning a Super Bowl? How does Pace’s assessment of quarterback Mitch Trubisky account for his 2020 job security? What’s next for Trubisky as he remains the starter? What should we make of Pace’s public evaluation of Nagy? And how meaningful might changes to Nagy’s staff be? Rich and Dan also mix in their New Year’s resolutions, dissect Dan’s gross metaphor about hair in risotto and make predictions for the first weekend of playoff games.

Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer are in the Halas Hall coat closet to preview the meaningless finale against the Vikings. They marvel at the anticlimactic Week 17 matchup before turning their attention to the crucial conversations awaiting general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy next week. They look ahead to what Pace and Nagy must consider in their postseason evaluation of the offense and, specifically, quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Rich self-reports a bratty, particular approach about Christmas gifts in "That's Just Stupid." They break down Dan's three keys to a Bears victory in Minneapolis, spotlighting the takeaways disparity between the two teams. They offer their final score predictions and crown the 2019 Bears Media Good Guy.

The morning after the Bears were whipped 26-3 by the Chiefs, Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer sift through the wreckage. They recap one of the more depressing nights at Soldier Field in recent memory, including how the Bears' sloppiness and Chiefs' offensive prowess helped mark the gap between the Bears and a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They take stock of the lopsided Mitch Trubisky-Patrick Mahomes matchup and question folks who insist on lowering the bar for the Bears quarterback. They also sympathize with Trubisky and coach Matt Nagy on the heels of a performance that encapsulates their interconnected struggles, and quickly spotlight a defense that failed to take the ball away again. The finish by sharing Rich’s favorite 3-word reviews, remembering Dan’s birthday and dropping a Christmas earworm.

The eliminated Bears have vowed to sprint through the finish line, and that's exactly what Rich and Dan are doing as well. From the Halas Hall coat closet, they preview Sunday night's game against the Chiefs. They examine how the Chiefs' partnership of coach Andy Reid and MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes contextualizes the Bears' offensive struggles — from unproven coach Matt Nagy to inconsistent quarterback Mitch Trubisky and an inferior supporting cast. They spotlight the Bears' lack of long touchdowns ahead of the Chiefs' visit, knowing the Chiefs lead the NFL in touchdowns from their side of midfield since 2018 began. They look at Saints quarterback Drew Brees' all-time touchdown pass record and match that with the Bears best quarterbacks of all-time. They analyze Dan's three keys to a Bears victory, including a fast start and the matchup problem Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce presents. They offer their final score predictions, wonder about Akiem Hicks' iffy status and look at the three Bears Pro Bowlers.

The Bears are officially out of the playoff hunt after losing to the Packers 21-13 on Sunday. Rich and Dan are at Lambeau Field to break down the offense’s return to reality. They discuss another one-touchdown performance and the offense’s inconsistency as a whole. They analyze Mitch Trubisky’s latest uneven performance as Dan worries that he could be leading the Bears to QB purgatory. They put a stamp on a deeply disappointing decade for the Bears — especially compared with the Packers’ success. Switching to the defense, they identify how it came up short despite a respectable showing against Aaron Rodgers. They share their Rich’s favorite three-word reviews from the audience and, finally, make fun of Dan’s lack of toughness in the cold Wisconsin air.

The Bears are riding a three-game winning streak headed into Sunday’s game against the Packers. Is a playoff miracle possible? Rich and Dan take a quick jaunt down memory lane. Specifically, they compare the 2019 Bears to the 2012 Redskins and Vikings, two teams that staged improbable runs to reach the postseason. Next, they examine how the Bears have managed to stay afloat and what they can take from their recent surge even if they miss the playoffs. In That’s Just Stupid, they plead for perspective — the season’s still a marathon, after all. They break down Dan’s three keys for a Bears victory over the Packers, including red-zone offense and tapping into the Bears’ star power. They close by sharing their score predictions (they’re on the same page, FYI) and by crowning a young player who has won over a certain skeptic (cough, Rich, cough).

The Bears beat the Cowboys 31-24 on Thursday night and now have a winning record for the first time in 8 weeks. Rich and Dan slept a few hours before rallying for their review Friday morning. They examine a team that didn't crumble after a 4-game losing streak, a team that seems to thrive playing from behind, or at least out from under the weight of expectations. They dissect quarterback Mitch Trubisky's latest exceptional game, specifically how his legs brought his play to life in a way previously unseen this season. They marvel at the Power of Now and what the Bears can accomplish with it. They tip their caps to a defense that continues to be playoff-caliber as top contributors fall out due to injuries. And they end with a peek at the uphill road ahead, give out their game balls and read their favorite 3-word reviews from the audience.

The Bears enter December "in the hunt," and Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer try to figure out what that means. They preview Thursday night's game against the Cowboys by setting the stage for a daunting four-game run that features matchups against three first-place teams and another occupying a wild-card spot. They identify Bears players they'll closely watch over the final four weeks, including Roquan Smith, Anthony Miller and Mitch Trubisky. They look ahead to Akiem Hicks' potential return in Week 15 before zeroing in on the Cowboys. They explore the circus around Cowboys coach Jason Garrett's status and break down Dan's three keys to victory. They end by making their score predictions and award this week's crown.

The Bears beat the Lions 24-20 on Thursday, and Rich and Dan dig in from Ford Field. First up: Mitch Trubisky’s first late-fourth-quarter, winning touchdown drive and the seeds it plants for his future. Of course, that drive goes hand in hand with the continued evolution of Anthony “Mr. Clutch” Miller. Sure, the strong performances came against David Blough (er, Jeff Bluhhh?) and the lowly Lions, but it’s all an upgrade from the mopey wins against the Lions and Giants earlier in November. Turning to the defense, Rich and Dan spotlight the unit’s refusal to mail it in despite the offense underperforming earlier this season. Finally, they look ahead to a daunting December schedule before handing out game balls (two on offense!) and reading their favorite three-word reviews from the audience. Happy Thanksgiving, folks!

The Bears visit the Lions on Thanksgiving, and Rich and Dan are on a fast turnaround of their own to preview the game. From amid the hangers in the Halas Hall coat closet (look out, Rich!), they examine Mitch Trubisky's partnership with Matt Nagy, specifically whether the Bears can call plays — uptempo or otherwise — that cater to the QB’s strengths. In That’s Just Stupid, they revisit the comedy of errors that resulted in the missed 48-yard extra point (would a 7-yard 2-point conversion attempt have been better?) against the Giants. They go through Dan's three keys to a win, including receiver Anthony Miller's upward momentum and kicker Eddy Pineiro's stumbles. They finish by handing out multiple crowns: toasting Thanksgiving shenanigans, identifying their least favorite items on the annual smorgasbord and giving props to a Bears newcomer who has played well this season.

The Bears outlasted the Giants, 19-14, in a battle of bad teams Sunday, and Rich and Dan break it all down. Even though the Bears claimed their fifth win, they demonstrated plenty of their trademark sloppiness — even against a terrible Giants secondary. They dissect both of Mitch Trubisky's interceptions, which were particularly troubling considering this is Week 12 of the NFL season. The stalled running game is on the hook, too, as are poor red-zone performances, dropped passes and penalties. But there were bright spots, including Khalil Mack returning to top form and a defense that was solid overall. After quickly handing out game balls (the recipients were super obvious), Rich and Dan run through their favorite three-word reviews from the audience.