Good morning, Bears fans!
What a weird Packers week.
Bears fans have designs on the NFC North and much more.
Packers fans seem resigned to their fate.
I like it a lot better this way, but I’m still wary of talking too much trash before Sunday. I’m wondering where you’re at on that issue, so make sure you answer the poll at the end of the newsletter.
Also, make sure you enter our Packers Week merch contest below 👇
HEADLINES
Tyson Bagent slated to start again on Sunday
Caleb Williams remains “week to week.”
Bears favored at Lambeau for first time since 2006
Rex Grossman and Co. were favored by 3.5 points in that game after winning in Wisconsin the previous two seasons. The Bears covered easily, winning the season opener 26-0.
Marcus Davenport retires
The 30-year-old pass rusher asked the Bears for his release after playing 12 snaps against the Jets on Sunday.
Arlington Heights deal gaining steam?
A publicly owned but privately funded stadium plan looks to be the path forward to keep the Bears in Illinois.
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PACKERS WEEK GIVEAWAY!
How grate would it be if you won any of this?
Our friends at The Grater Guys are helping Bears By 7 grow by offering up three of their homemade accessories as prizes.
Refer just one friend to Bears By 7 and get a chance to win:
Just send your referral link (below) to your fellow fans and you’ll all be entered when they sign up to Bears By 7!
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Three prizes. Three winners. Results announced on Monday!
THE BIG ITEM
Exactly Why Does Green Bay Suck?
We’ve been chanting “Green Bay sucks” all year long.
At baseball games. At concerts. Maybe even after Pope Leo says mass in St. Peter’s Square. (I mean, would anything surprise you any more?)
But here’s the thing: Green Bay may actually really suck this year! The Packers are 2-2 as they welcome the Bears to Lambeau on Sunday and they’re honestly lucky to not be 0-4.
So I thought I’d name a few reasons that Packers fans aren’t feeling too good about themselves. Feel free to share with your Bears fan friends as you optimistically head up I-43 on Sunday morning.
They can’t run the ball
Like at all. Through four games, the Packers are averaging 58 yards a game on the ground. That works out to 232 total yards. Both Kyle Monangai (324) and D’Andre Swift (311) have already left the entire Packers team in the dust. Not everyone can be as rich as the Bears with a league-leading 196 rush yards per game, but come on.
The team’s inability to pose a threat on the ground has had grave consequences for Jordan Love’s offense. The Packers are last in the league on third-down conversion percentage (26.09) and second-to-last in time of possession percentage. (43.74).Their defense has been bad
The Packers gave up 39 points to Carson Wentz and the Vikings in their season opener. Two weeks later, they allowed 35 to Michael Penix Jr. and the Falcons as Lambeau fans booed during the home opener. They’re 23rd in the league at points allowed with 26.3 a game and middle of the road or worse in almost any defensive category you can think of.
Their depth chart is decimated
The hits keep coming for Green Bay as it lost star LB Edgerrin Cooper to a season-ending Achilles injury against Tampa Bay on Sunday. WR Jayden Reed (neck) and OT Zach Bako-Bewele (knee) were already out for the season.
Meanwhile, no one’s sure when Micah Parsons (torn ACL) or Josh Jacobs (commissioner’s list) will return. The only positive for the Packers is that Love has stayed healthy, but for how long behind that offensive line?
Look, I’m not saying the Bears will waltz into Lambeau and win by 30. I’ve been a Bears fan too long to do something dumb like put that in writing.
But it’s more than OK to say this is the most vulnerable we’ve seen the Packers probably since the Forrest Gregg years.
And if they don’t actually suck just yet, it sure looks like they’re well on their way.
PODCAST
Could Khalil Mack return to the Bears this season via trade? I talked about it with Ryan Droste on the latest Bears By 7 Podcast.
A few years ago, my old insurance company raised both my home and auto rates considerably and didn’t think I’d call their bluff.
But I did. I called my guy Bill Rademacher at PAR Insurance and asked if there was anything he could do. He said there was.
A short time later, Bill called back with a quote that was lower than my original bill with the old company.
Because PAR Insurance is an independent company, it can shop your auto, home, life and business coverage across multiple carriers in search of the best deal.
Bill did that for me and he can do that for you. If your latest renewal notice has you shaking your head, PAR Insurance can figure out your next step for you.
QUOTABLE
It’s a new year, we’re not going to dwell on the past.
STANDOUT STAT
I dunno, seems good? 🤝 @BearInVegas
BREAKING T
Get ready for today’s game with this amazing collection of officially-licensed and topical South Side playoff shirts.