Dhruv Koul shares his in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the Giants-Bears game at Soldier Field. Follow him on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
CHICAGO — If you’re a Chicago Bears fan who regularly consumes news about the team, this was a tough week. ESPN Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson passed away on Tuesday after a battle with cancer. By all accounts, one of the most wonderful human beings to anyone who ever met him.
We paid tribute on Club Dub Podcast earlier this week:
Foles Gets Bears To 5-10 In 2020 – We Remember NFL Icon John Madden https://t.co/Vo5A3TeHno
— Club Dub Podcast (@clubdub_podcast) December 29, 2021
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Of course, NFL legend John Madden also passed away the same day, making it a very rough day for the broader NFL as well. We remembered him on the episode as well.
RIP J.D. and John Madden.
Good on the Bears, who put together a tribute for Dickerson in the press box at Soldier Field today:
The Soldier Field press box will never be the same.
Appreciate the #Bears doing this for @DickersonESPN. pic.twitter.com/aEVFLBsHJ0
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) January 2, 2022
Please consider donating to the Parker Dickerson fund if you can. More details here:
The @ChicagoBears have been nothing but supportive during this difficult time and they just donated $25,000 to Parker’s fund. https://t.co/zP6w5pK7pa
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 30, 2021
As for the game, the Bears took on the New York Giants today in a battle of NFL bottom-feeders. The reality is this was likely the last home game for Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace, Akiem Hicks and Allen Robinson, among others. And in the end, the Bears jumped all over New York and Mike Glennon in the first quarter, coasting to an end-to-end victory to close out their 2021 home schedule.
This era should be coming to a close after next Sunday in Minneapolis. Expect lots of changes.
I shared my in-game reactions, thoughts and observations from the game below. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
Thoughts and Observations
1. (PRE-GAME) — It appears Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom will indeed start at LT and RT, respectively. Good. The Bears will evaluate both youngsters at the bookend tackle spots in the final home game at Soldier Field this season. Starting QB Andy Dalton will need them to play well.
Veteran LT Jason Peters is in uniform.
In pregame warmups, looks like rookie Teven Jenkins at LT and rookie Larry Borom at RT.#Giants are tied for 25th in NFL with 29 sacks.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) January 2, 2022
I’m looking forward to watching Akiem Hicks today. The unquestioned heart-and-soul of this team since 2015, his time with the Bears is likely over after this season. He’s back for his Soldier Field finale. I expect him to dominate, and be a bit emotional. It’ll be tough to watch, for sure. He embodies the Bears and greatness.
2. What an incredible start for the Bears. Mike Glennon’s revenge game is going well … for the Bears. Trevis Gipson sacked him on the first snap from scrimmage and Bilal Nichols returned the fumble to the 1-yard line. On the Giants’ second possession, he was picked off at midfield by Tashaun Gipson.
That's about how I expected Mike Glennon's return to Soldier Field to begin.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
The Bears scored touchdowns off both turnovers.
Monty TD with Tonga at FB.
I'm here for this.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
Cole Kmet picked up eight on third down.
Bears go for it on 4th and 1 and Mooney scores a TD.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
14-0 Bears, midway through the first quarter. Incredible start in Nagy’s likely finale at Soldier Field.
3. This game has been a disaster offensively midway through the second quarter. The Bears have run 14 plays for 33 yards! But are up 14-3. The Giants got that field goal on a drive of nine plays that featured nine runs. Amazing.
That NYG drive featured zero passes.
Anyone surprised?
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
The Giants not passing the ball ever again (probably) means Robert Quinn might not break the sack record today, though he came oh so close earlier in the game.
Robert Quinn JUST missed the record there. Man.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
4. The Giants are awful. I don’t know why they will run it back in 2022 with Joe Judge, but that appears to be their direction.
Just brutal.
Bears up 22-3 at halftime after getting a safety (following what should’ve been a fumble return TD for Eddie Jackson that was blown dead too early).
Bears are simply the (much) better team.
Cairo Santos' 44 yard FG attempt is good and the Bears lead 22-3 after a wild first half.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
5. Bears open the third quarter with a march right down the field for a touchdown. Dalton almost got picked off twice on that drive (one was nullified by DPI) and David Montgomery powered in for a touchdown run.
Bears are up 29-3 here at Soldier Field in Matt Nagy’s likely last stand. Good for him to be up big in a game that I know will mean a lot to him.
6. Just so you know where my head is at covering this game:
I don't think I've laughed this hard during a Bears game at *not* the Bears in a long time.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
7. Okay, this game is entertaining as hell.
Mike Glennon got sacked/stripped by Trevis Gipson again, killing a “promising” Giants drive.
Trevis Gipson with his second of the day.
He has 6.5 sacks now on the season.
His transition to EDGE rusher has certainly borne fruit this season. https://t.co/6QzkFsid6w
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
On the next play from scrimmage, Andy Dalton gave it right back on an INT where James Bradberry beat Allen Robinson to the spot.
On the next drive, Artie Burns dropped a pick-six.
This game is incredible.
Heading to the fourth quarter at Soldier Field, Bears are rolling 29-3.
8. Robert Quinn has been so, so, so close to the sack record for the Bears multiple times today. And he finally gets it in the fourth quarter. A trademark bend around the LT to slam into Glennon and strip him of the ball. (Giants recovered.)
Absolutely incredible season for Robert Quinn culminates in the Bears' single-season record for sacks.
So well deserved. https://t.co/kjp2RJQpfz
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
Classy gesture by Matt Nagy to call a timeout and let the Soldier Field faithful acknowledge Quinn’s accomplishment.
Just an amazing season. 18 sacks.
9. Mike Glennon with another interception. This is a total disaster. Both of his “Revenge Games” against Chicago have resulted in blowout Bears wins.
My word, Glennon. Picked off again.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
So who said he was a bad investment for the Bears again?
10. Poor Cole Kmet, can’t buy a touchdown.
Cole Kmet leaked out and was wide open. David Montgomery needs to work on that arm!
Getting picked off on the goal line has never been funnier.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
11. Good for Matt Nagy.
Bears dominate the Giants and move to 6-10.
Matt Nagy's final game at Soldier Field is a win. Good for him.
The death march ends next Sunday in Minnesota.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) January 2, 2022
12. The Bears close the season next Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. That will likely be the final game for this regime — Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy. Lots of changes coming this offseason. Maybe Justin Fields starts that game so we get one final look at him before the long break.
Get ready for a long and interesting offseason, Bears fans.
Early prediction: Bears 20, Vikings 17.
