Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
It’s that time of year where we’ve got a bit of everything to consume in the sports world. College football is heating up, the first playoff rankings were announced on Tuesday night and the big surprise was Notre Dame clocking in all the way down at eleven. Based on that, there’s a real chance the game against Miami is a must win for the Irish if they want any hope of making the playoffs with another weak schedule.
High school basketball has officially tipped off in the Hoosier state, with the Warsaw girls tipping off on Tuesday and the Wawasee, Manchester and Triton girls beginning their respective seasons last night. The boys will start their campaigns in a couple of weeks, and my busiest season of the year will be in full swing. Hard to believe we’re already here again. Best of luck to all of our local teams as they embark on this journey!
The World Series has just concluded, congratulations to the Brewers on a well deserved championship. The NBA and NHL have both begun their seasons as well, meaning that whenever you turn on your TV for the next 4-5 months, you’ll have some kind of sporting event to watch.
This brings me to the NFL, which was appropriately saved for last because that is the league in which today’s topic lies. By now you’ve read the headline so you know where I’m going with this, but in case you haven’t, it shouldn’t be that hard to figure out. I mean, how on earth am I supposed to talk about anything besides the Chicago Bears?
Those Chicago Bears went up to Seattle on Monday night and made the biggest regular-season statement I can remember them making in my lifetime. The Bears scored 34 points on the defending champions, Caleb Williams had his best game of the season, a trend that has continued for three weeks in a row since his return from injury, and the newest Monster of the Midway Jeffery Simmons singlehandedly changed the entire look of the defense in just his first game since being traded from Tennessee.
The performance was complete and dominant, and the reaction was quick: whether it was Scott Van Pelt on the postgame show, my buddies in the group chat, or a football fan on social media, the sentiment was largely the same: Holy cow, the Bears are actually Super Bowl contenders!
Now, that is a sentence that I don’t think I’ve ever typed in my 29 years of living until this very moment. Even on Monday night when I was at my most euphoric, I was still battling with the cautious side of myself that has seen the Bears find a way to let the city down time and time again. But can you blame me? I was born in 1997. For the first 20 years of my life, they made the playoffs four times, three of those coming before I was 10. In that same span, they finished in last place 10 times. The last nine have been a bit better, but not by much. Three playoff appearances, three last place finishes.
Even the Bears fans older than me that were lucky enough to see the world-famous ‘85 team steamroll everyone haven’t seen too much success since then, and many will remind you that those teams should have won more than one title. All I’m trying to say is that this team is currently sitting in a spot that we as fans are not used to.
Think about it. When was the last time the Bears could say they had any, let alone all, of the following: An elite head coach. A top offensive line in the league. Speedy weapons at both the running back and receiver positions. A game-breaking player on defense. And last but certainly not least, an ACTUAL QUARTERBACK. Bask in it, fellow Bears fans. We’re in uncharted territory.
We are conditioned to be afraid. Expecting that our team will find a way to regress back to what we’re used to, but I’m here today to keep you on track. Belief is a powerful thing. I’ve been on dialysis for over a year and a half but since I believe that I am a healthy individual, I look like and act like one too. A rather extreme example, sure, but I’m an extreme guy. These Bears are worth believing in. When the team gave up two first round picks in 2018 for Khalil Mack, they were doing so while betting on an unproven head coach and quarterback. They did not make that mistake this time. The Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson connection is growing by the week and it is scary to think about where they can ascend to. Big Jeff Simmons came in and was so dominant, a team that was only ever able to get a bit of pressure on the quarterback by blitzing was getting home with a four-man rush all night long.
This group is good and they are young and hungry. Can they win a Super Bowl? Absolutely. Is it Super Bowl or bust this season? I don’t think so, but it certainly is with this core group. Quite frankly, that’s good enough for me. I’ve watched enough seasons of the same show that features the laughing stock that is the Chicago Bears. I’m ready for the reboot where we’re the ones laughing.
Enjoy these moments, Bears fans. Sports are a cruel and fickle mistress. One moment you’re on top of the world, the next, you’re watching your bitter division rival celebrate winning their first ever World Series title in a year that they spent $200 million less than you did.
Sorry Cubs fans, I couldn’t resist.
We finished above .500 once again last week thanks to Chicago coming through on Monday night in the first ever Triple C double-or-nothing pick. Let’s see if we can stay hot heading into the midway point of the season.
FAVORITE FAVORITE
Jacksonville Jaguars (-9.5) at Baltimore Ravens
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been one of the best teams in the AFC this season, but this pick has more to do about the Ravens. In a cruel twist of fate, Lamar Jackson suffered an injury to his right thumb on his first throw back from returning from injury on Sunday. To make matters worse, backup Snoop Huntley also suffered a season-ending injury in the game. Because of this and the fact that they have a quick turnaround, playing on Thursday, Joe Fagnano will start. By the way, he’s also nursing an ankle issue. I know Baltimore has a pretty great roster, but they’re going to struggle to move the football. I think the Jags take advantage.
The Pick: Jaguars -9.5
BIG DAWG GOTTA EAT
Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (-3)
I feel gross doing this for obvious reasons, but when I look at the board this week, the Packers are easily the best team with a plus sign next to their name. I also thought about the Browns (+3) at the Saints, but I have much more faith in Green Bay. I think this should be a fantastic game, one of the games of the week. The NFC North has proven there is no division like it in all of football, and the Packers have come back to life in a big way after a slow start. They head on the road and grab a big win over New England.
The Pick: Packers +3
BEAR DOWN
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears (-6.5)
Just a few weeks ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were really struggling and left for dead. But thanks to the emergence of a killer running game, a great defense and a lackluster division, the Bucs are suddenly back in the thick of things. They have the tough task of heading to Chicago this week to take on the Bears. Will the home team get a little high on their own supply with all of the nice things being said about them in the media? I don’t think Ben allows it to happen. This will be a tougher game than expected because Tampa’s defense is really, really stout, but I just think this offense is better. If the new-look D-line for the Bears can get some consistent pressure, they’ll take this one.
The Pick: Bears -6.5
THIS IS OUR COLTS
Dallas Cowboys (-5.5) at Indianapolis Colts
The Cowboys have suffered a couple of really head-scratching losses this season, including last Sunday’s disastrous collapse against the Cardinals in Arlington. Could they suffer another puzzling defeat at the hands of the Colts? I’m struggling to see how. Playing its first game since trading away DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson last week, Indy was demolished by the Jags. For the most part, Dallas has responded well to their losses this season, with all three of their wins coming immediately following a defeat. I have a hard time believing this lifeless Colts team gets up for this one.
The Pick: Cowboys -5.5
GAME OF THE WEEK
Buffalo Bills (-3) at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season last week at the hands of divisional rival Detroit, and now Minnesota has to get back on track in prime time against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Last week, the outstanding Vikings’ defense did a pretty solid job of holding the high-flying Lions offense in check, but weren’t able to do enough themselves offensively to take advantage. I’ve been accused in the past of never picking Minnesota, and that trend will continue here. I have faith that their defense can slow down Allen at least a bit, but not enough to come away with a win.
The Pick: Bills -3 (Sorry Janas)
As always, thank you for reading. It’s been one heck of a football season so far, and there’s no reason to believe that’ll slow down heading into November. Catch you guys next week.
Cheers.
Last Week’s Record: 3-2
Season Record: 21-19
