Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 7h

A play in disarray became a game-changing moment. And a breakout night from D’Andre Swift contributed to a potentially season-changing win.

⁦‪@kfishbain.bsky.social‬⁩ narrates the scene from Landover.

How D’Andre Swift, Bears’ run game found their groove in win over Commanders

Swift finally got going as the Bears' running back's 55-yard touchdown catch and 15-yard run to set up the winning field goal were clutch.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 7h

Amid the intense focus of an NFL season, players don’t go out of their way to meet the practice squad kicker. On Monday night, they were carrying him off the field.

*Hi. Jake Moody. Damn glad to meet you.*

What a moment. What a league.

Introducing Jake Moody, the new Bears kicker and an unlikely Monday night hero

With everything on the line Monday night, Moody knew focus and presence would be key on his game-deciding kick.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 1d

WEEK 4 REVIEW

The unofficial Caleb Williams report card of his 45 called passing plays vs. Raiders

🌟— 1 play (star power)

👍🏼— 11 plays (very nice)

⭕️— 24 plays

👎🏼— 8 plays (substandard)

🤢— 1 play (gross)

(Includes three scrambles, two penalty “no plays” and two fumbles)

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 1d

— TJ Edwards’ return.
— What’s next for Austin Booker and Shemar Turner?
— The search for a running game.

⁦‪‬⁩@kfishbain.bsky.social has mail

📬🏈

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...

How can T.J. Edwards, Kyler Gordon help the run defense? Bears mailbag, Week 6 picks

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 1d

“The best thing I can do is learn to become more consistent, with a concentration that connects to everything I’m trying to achieve.”

After infamy came for him in 2024, Tyrique Stevenson has much more of his story to write.

ICYMI

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Passion project: How Bears' Tyrique Stevenson has worked to improve after Hail Mary debacle

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 1d

“Sometimes wins like that go a long way.”

For this version of the Bears, a buildup of belief has become essential. So what will a gritty finish in Vegas really mean going forward?

Belief is building for the Chicago Bears — and it’s starting to show late in games

For the 2025 Bears, a buildup of belief has become essential. The team's win in Las Vegas provided just that.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 6d

“He was vulnerable. Hurt. Devastated. Alone. But that’s how he should have felt. That all comes with it. You let down 52 other guys. You let down 20-some coaches. You let down one of the most passionate football fan bases in the world. That’s heavy s—.”

Bears’ Tyrique Stevenson is on a journey of self-improvement after Fail Mary

Stevenson and the Bears are headed back to Washington, where they were embarrassed last October. He's learned a lot since then.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 7d

Tyrique Stevenson’s passion remains his fuel. His background made him stronger. Fatherhood has provided added purpose.

Now, as his painful Hail Mary scars heal, Stevenson is trying like hell to raise his focus and become his best self.

DEEP DIVE:

Bears’ Tyrique Stevenson is on a journey of self-improvement after Hail Mary debacle

Stevenson and the Bears are headed back to Washington, where they were embarrassed last October. He's learned a lot since then.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 14d

— A well-timed offensive reset at the bye.
— Questions remain at offensive tackle.
— Kyler Gordon itching to return plus other injuries worth keeping an eye on.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Bears' bye week to-do list: Self-assessment, defining O-line roles, getting healthy

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 15d

“In the city where your fortune is decided by the turn of a card, the roll of the dice, the spin of a wheel, the Chicago Bears showed even the hardest-luck folks can leave Vegas with a smile.”

✍️⁦‪ By: @jongreenberg.bsky.social

Bears leave Las Vegas with uplifting victory, feeling of good fortune

The Bears knew they didn’t play their best game, but they made their luck and got help from an ace when it counted.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 15d

Even with all his obvious competitive aggravation, Ben Johnson gave his team a sense of calm.

Even at the end of an afternoon of offensive struggle, Caleb Williams instilled belief.

By ⁦‪@kfishbain‬⁩

What a way to exit Las Vegas.

Why Ben Johnson believed in Caleb Williams and the Bears in the final moments

Williams made plays in the clutch, and the Bears followed their head coach's belief as they pulled off a wild 25-24 victory.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 15d

You need to know more about Sunday’s game-winning blocked kick. You need to know more about Josh Blackwell.

Diving deeper on the Bears’ special team ace and the Vegas magic trick that would make Criss Angel jealous.

Bears magic trick: How Josh Blackwell’s blocked field goal saved the day in Vegas

What an ending for the Bears in Sunday's thrilling win, with some Vegas magic right at the end that might make Criss Angel jealous.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · 19d

Caleb Williams was impressive Sunday, delivering an award-worthy, four-TD, hot dog-winning effort in a blowout win.

That performance …

WAS: Explosive, clean, a needed tension breaker

WASN’T: An arrival, perfect, the final exam

A comprehensive look:

What Caleb Williams’ explosive game was — and wasn’t — for the Bears

Bears fans know all too well that a quarterback performance can feel significant in the moment but ultimately mean little.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 12

All that pre-snap chaos from the Bears? QB1’s role in the cleanup?

“We can’t go to the next level until we’ve taken care of those basics. Ben has talked from the very beginning that the secret sauce in Detroit was not the trick plays and all that fun stuff; it was mastery of the fundamentals."

Red flags: Caleb Williams, Bears offense must work to get back on the same page

Growing pains may be inevitable for Williams and the offense, but Bears coaches won't institute a "full tolerance" on sloppiness.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 10

WEEK 1 REVIEW

Unofficial Caleb Williams report card of his 47 called passing plays vs. Vikings

🌟— 3 plays (star power)

👍— 12 plays (very nice)

⭕️ — 18 plays

👎— 9 plays (substandard)

🤢— 5 plays (gross)

(Includes 6 scrambles and 4 penalty “no plays”)

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 10

You need a rant on the Darnell Wright holding penalty and what it meant?

You want a Ben Johnson confession?

You want Caleb Williams’ review and patience timelines?

The Take The North pod has it all and MORE …

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKKr...

Bears need to make a lot of improvements after opening loss to Vikings | Take The North, Ep. 377

YouTube video by 670 The Score

www.youtube.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 10

“Here we go again” — or — “This is different”?

That fierce tug-of-war is back in Chicago for Week 2.

For the Bears, @kfishbain.bsky.social and I play a game of what exactly was that and what’s next?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 9

A fast and encouraging start. And then a frustrating fizzle.

@kfishbain.bsky.social goes deep on Caleb Williams' first night of 2025 ...

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams’ accuracy goes awry after perfect start

Williams had pinpoint precision to begin the 2025 season, then things fell apart and he missed receivers by a lot.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 9

Ahead by 11 points with a legitimate chance to land a knockout punch, the Bears instead stumbled, swung wildly and somehow knocked themselves out. Then the Vikings dropped an anvil on them.

About last night ..

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 8

2025 season. Official arrival.

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 8

Amid all the clamor about Caleb Williams, the key leaders at Halas Hall have some very specific criteria for their 2025 evaluation of the Bears’ QB1.

Let’s take a walk through a five-point checklist that will guide the assessment.

🏈✔️

Caleb Williams’ growth is critical to the Bears. Here are 5 ways to evaluate him in 2025

As the NFL world micro-analyzes Williams' every move, team leaders will be monitoring his progress in a several categories.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 7

Ben Johnson vs. Brian Flores.

A fascinating chess match awaits Monday night at Soldier Field.

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis dives into the back-and-forth of two established play-callers trying to outwit one another.

Brian Flores vs. Ben Johnson: Why the Vikings-Bears MNF matchup is so fascinating

How will the Minnesota defense, led by Flores, fare against "mastermind" Johnson and the Bears' new-look offense Monday night?

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 5

For a coach so often lauded for showcasing the intelligence and problem-solving skills of Sherlock Holmes, Ben Johnson also has a *much* more savage side to him. Think Anton Chigurh from “No Country for Old Men.”

Inside the mind and m.o. of the Bears new coach.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

Bears coach Ben Johnson is driven by his quest to entertain — and embarrass

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 4

New from @kfishbain.bsky.social and I at The Athletic …

Week 1 observations on:

— Ben Johnson’s leadership
— Caleb Williams’ growth
— Uncertainty at left tackle
— Montez Sweat’s momentum
— A surprise revelation at WR

What we’re seeing from the Bears: Ben Johnson’s impact, Caleb Williams’ improvement

What have we seen from the Bears in training camp and the preseason? On the new head coach, the returning QB, the left tackle spot and more.

www.nytimes.com

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Dan Wiederer @danwiederer.bsky.social · Sep 4

The Fourth Annual “Take The North” PREDICTIONS episode is here.

-- Bears record
-- Team MVP
-- Breakout player
-- Most disappointing
-- Signature win
-- Caleb stats
-- "Take the North" division champ
-- Super Bowl LX

🗣️🎙️👂👀📺

The 2025 Bears season predictions extravaganza! | Take The North Ep. 374

YouTube video by 670 The Score

www.youtube.com

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