@markpotash.bsky.social
My Bears-Eagles MNF prediction. Does Ben Johnson have the play-calling upper hand against a fatigued Vic Fangio after all the sleep Vic lost trying to figure out who would start at quarterback for the Bears? 🤔
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Bears-Eagles prediction: And the winner is ...
Bears, 24-23Veteran Case Keenum (or Tyson Bagent) figures to be a capable replacement for Caleb Williams in Ben Johnson's offense — perhaps with pre-snap and post-snap decision-making that make extend...
www.markpotash.net
September 28, 2026 at 7:16 PM
My Bears-Eagles MNF prediction. Does Ben Johnson have the play-calling upper hand against a fatigued Vic Fangio after all the sleep Vic lost trying to figure out who would start at quarterback for the Bears? 🤔
www.markpotash.net/post/bears-e...
www.markpotash.net/post/bears-e...
The Magnificent 7 — seven players who made the biggest impact in the #Bears' 59-37 victory over the Panthers on Sunday:
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www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 59-37 victory over the Panthers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium:1. Caleb Williams By almost any measurement — starting with the eye test — ...
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September 13, 2026 at 10:50 PM
The Magnificent 7 — seven players who made the biggest impact in the #Bears' 59-37 victory over the Panthers on Sunday:
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The #Bears haven't had back-to-back winning seasons since 2005-06, but finally have the antidote to regression. 1st-and-10, now only at markpotash.net ... www.markpotash.net/post/optimis...
1st-and-10: Optimism trumps pessimism in Bears' new world
"Never underestimate the mediocrity of the NFL." The Bears are predicted by some analysts to be victims of that mantra in 2026, but instead could be the beneficiaries. The difference? Ben Johnson and ...
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September 13, 2026 at 4:06 PM
The #Bears haven't had back-to-back winning seasons since 2005-06, but finally have the antidote to regression. 1st-and-10, now only at markpotash.net ... www.markpotash.net/post/optimis...
I'm already having some withdrawal in my first season not being a part of @suntimes_sports Bears coverage since 1995, so here's my Bears-Panthers prediction ... www.markpotash.net/post/bears-p...
Bears-Panthers Prediction: And the winner is ...
Bears, 31-23Ben Johnson's offense figures to start quickly in Year 2 and give Dennis Allen's defense a little margin for error — a likely theme for the season. The Panthers scored 30 or more points fi...
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September 13, 2026 at 4:03 PM
I'm already having some withdrawal in my first season not being a part of @suntimes_sports Bears coverage since 1995, so here's my Bears-Panthers prediction ... www.markpotash.net/post/bears-p...
The Ben Johnson Effect? After Marc Colombo, Chris Williams, Gabe Carimi and Teven Jenkins, the Bears finally have a highly drafted offensive lineman who is beating the injury recovery timeline. Ozzy Trapilo's rapid return might not be a coincidence:
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The Ben Johnson Effect at work? Ozzy Trapilo ahead of schedule
Everything Ben Johnson touches turns to gold, or so it seems. He's making a quarterback out of Caleb Williams and a general manager out of Ryan Poles. Every player introduced to the Bears offense unde...
www.markpotash.net
August 18, 2026 at 5:13 PM
The Ben Johnson Effect? After Marc Colombo, Chris Williams, Gabe Carimi and Teven Jenkins, the Bears finally have a highly drafted offensive lineman who is beating the injury recovery timeline. Ozzy Trapilo's rapid return might not be a coincidence:
www.markpotash.net/post/the-ben...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-ben...
Already, the beauty of having Ben Johnson/Caleb Williams in place is signaling the dawn of a new era at Halas Hall — the #Bears now have the trump cards (pardon the expression) that make almost any challenge survivable.
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Kyler Gordon on PUP — don't push that panic button yet
It wouldn't be a Bears preseason if there weren't an eve-of-training-camp issue to worry about. Slot cornerback Kyler Gordon being put on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list with another soft-...
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July 28, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Already, the beauty of having Ben Johnson/Caleb Williams in place is signaling the dawn of a new era at Halas Hall — the #Bears now have the trump cards (pardon the expression) that make almost any challenge survivable.
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From Lon Warneke and Al Simmons to Jim Hickman, Bill Madlock, Bruce Sutter, Mark Buehrle and Chris Sale, the Cubs and Sox have made an impact on the All-Star Game. "My 100 Favorite Collectibles" series continues with No. 92: Baseball's All-Star Game:
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www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
July 20, 2026 at 8:31 PM
From Lon Warneke and Al Simmons to Jim Hickman, Bill Madlock, Bruce Sutter, Mark Buehrle and Chris Sale, the Cubs and Sox have made an impact on the All-Star Game. "My 100 Favorite Collectibles" series continues with No. 92: Baseball's All-Star Game:
www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
The 1969 Cubs might be the most beloved team of infamy in baseball history. "My 100 Favorite Collectibles" series continues with No. 95 — the '69 Cubs ...
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www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
June 16, 2026 at 4:45 PM
The 1969 Cubs might be the most beloved team of infamy in baseball history. "My 100 Favorite Collectibles" series continues with No. 95 — the '69 Cubs ...
www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
Caleb Williams is a video game/cheat code, but before the days of Madden 27, even a video game could not complete Williams' spectacular TD pass to Cole Kmet vs. the Rams. "My 100 Favorite Collectibles" continues with No. 96 — Atari Football and arcade games:
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www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
June 4, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Caleb Williams is a video game/cheat code, but before the days of Madden 27, even a video game could not complete Williams' spectacular TD pass to Cole Kmet vs. the Rams. "My 100 Favorite Collectibles" continues with No. 96 — Atari Football and arcade games:
www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
www.markpotash.net/post/my-100-...
The Magnificent 7 — Seven people who had the biggest impact on the Bears' 2025 resurgence ... www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7
Seven people who had the biggest impact on the Bears’ resurgence in 2025: 1. Ben Johnson The rare authority figure who made everyone at Halas Hall better, with the possible exception of president Kevi...
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January 27, 2026 at 11:29 PM
The Magnificent 7 — Seven people who had the biggest impact on the Bears' 2025 resurgence ... www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, but with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, #Bears' progression should trump regression in 2026. 1st-and-10 ... www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: Bears' progression will trump regression in 2026
After a rejuvenating season that ended in a 20-17 overtime loss to the Rams in the divisional playoffs on Sunday at Soldier Field, the Bears will be a target of skeptics who have them pegged for a reg...
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January 21, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, but with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, #Bears' progression should trump regression in 2026. 1st-and-10 ... www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
WTF? Ben Johnson is meeting his biggest challenge as the #Bears' head coach — changing Halas Hall before it changes him. 1st-and-10, now only at markpotash.net ...
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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
January 14, 2026 at 9:02 PM
WTF? Ben Johnson is meeting his biggest challenge as the #Bears' head coach — changing Halas Hall before it changes him. 1st-and-10, now only at markpotash.net ...
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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
Ben Johnson already has succeeded where other #Bears coaches have failed. But Bears-Packers in the playoffs is the ultimate test of The Ben Johnson Effect. 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: The ultimate test of The Ben Johnson Effect
Ben Johnson opened his tenure as the Bears’ head coach with a shot at Matt LaFleur and now has to back it up with the Bears’ playoff lives on the line. The football gods hear everything.Beating the Pa...
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January 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Ben Johnson already has succeeded where other #Bears coaches have failed. But Bears-Packers in the playoffs is the ultimate test of The Ben Johnson Effect. 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field:
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field: 1. Amon-Ra St. BrownBen Johnson's offense turned the 2021 fourth-round draft pick into a sta...
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January 5, 2026 at 2:34 AM
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 19-16 loss to the Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field:
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The best "statement loss" since the Ditka era ("We will be back") is the latest indicator that Ben Johnson's #Bears have staying power. ... Caleb Williams and the "it" factor. ... Should Tyson Bagent get meaningful snaps against the Lions? 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: The best Bears loss since the Ditka era
When Mike Ditka’s 1984 Bears played the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, their 23-0 loss at Candlestick Park might not have seemed like a prelude to greatness — the Bears’ put up a fight in the fir...
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December 30, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The best "statement loss" since the Ditka era ("We will be back") is the latest indicator that Ben Johnson's #Bears have staying power. ... Caleb Williams and the "it" factor. ... Should Tyson Bagent get meaningful snaps against the Lions? 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday night at Levi's Stadium:
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www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday night at Levi's Stadium. 1. Brock PurdyThrew a pick-6 on the 49ers' first play from scrimmage but never flinch...
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December 29, 2025 at 6:44 AM
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 42-38 loss to the 49ers on Sunday night at Levi's Stadium:
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
Despite a season fueled by fortuitous plays that beat the odds and will be tough to repeat, the 2025 #Bears aren't just "special," they're sustainable. 1st-and-10:
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1st-and-10: Ben Johnson's Bears aren't just special, they're sustainable
This week’s version of The Ben Johnson Effect: A year after the Bears were burned by the fickle finger of football fate with a Hail Mary loss to the Commanders that sent their season careening into un...
www.markpotash.net
December 24, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Despite a season fueled by fortuitous plays that beat the odds and will be tough to repeat, the 2025 #Bears aren't just "special," they're sustainable. 1st-and-10:
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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
Ben Johnson's fourth-and-1 gamble failed, but at least he lost being Ben Johnson. That's the only way the #Bears are going to break the cycle of losing at Halas Hall. 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: At least Ben Johnson lost being Ben Johnson
After a 17-16 loss to the Chargers at Soldier Field in 2019, Bears coach Matt Nagy appeared mystified and a little miffed at being questioned about his decision to have Mitch Trubisky kneel to set up ...
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December 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Ben Johnson's fourth-and-1 gamble failed, but at least he lost being Ben Johnson. That's the only way the #Bears are going to break the cycle of losing at Halas Hall. 1st-and-10: www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 28-21 loss to the Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 28-21 loss to the Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field: 1. Jordan Love This game did not settle the Jordan-Love-or-Caleb-Williams debate one way o...
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December 8, 2025 at 3:54 AM
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 28-21 loss to the Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
Before Ben Johnson was hired, Ryan Poles traded a second-round pick (No. 32) for WR Chase Claypool. After Ben Johnson was hired, he traded a fourth-round pick (currently No. 131) for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney. How Johnson is making Poles a better GM. 1st-and-10:
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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: The Ben Johnson Effect — Ryan Poles is on a roll
Ben Johnson was hired to make a quarterback out of Caleb Williams. But he’s also making a general manager out of Ryan Poles. Before Johnson was hired, Poles had more misses than hits — he traded for t...
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December 3, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Before Ben Johnson was hired, Ryan Poles traded a second-round pick (No. 32) for WR Chase Claypool. After Ben Johnson was hired, he traded a fourth-round pick (currently No. 131) for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney. How Johnson is making Poles a better GM. 1st-and-10:
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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
Ben Johnson vs. Vic Fangio will be a playoff-caliber matchup in the #Bears' showdown vs. the Eagles on Friday — the kind of battle Johnson ultimately will have to win to get the Bears over the top. 1st-and-10:
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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
1st-and-10: Ben Johnson vs. Vic Fangio could tell the tale of the Bears' 2025 season
Since Lovie Smith and Dave Toub left the Bears after Smith was fired following the 2012 season, two high-level coaches in particular have been able to rise above the dysfunctional muck at Halas Hall t...
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November 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Ben Johnson vs. Vic Fangio will be a playoff-caliber matchup in the #Bears' showdown vs. the Eagles on Friday — the kind of battle Johnson ultimately will have to win to get the Bears over the top. 1st-and-10:
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 31-28 victory over the Steelers on Sunday at Soldier Field ...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 31-28 victory over the Steelers on. Sunday. 1. Caleb Williams For better or worse, Williams figured in five of the eight touchdowns scored in th...
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November 24, 2025 at 2:26 AM
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 31-28 victory over the Steelers on Sunday at Soldier Field ...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The #Bears' 2025 season is trending like 2012, when Lovie Smith's team started 7-1 against a soft schedule, predictably fell flat against better opponents and missed the playoffs. But there's one big difference. Well, two. Maybe three. 1st-and-10:
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1st-and-10: Shades of 2012? We'll see about that
With yet another exhilarating victory, the Bears 7-3 start under rookie head coach Ben Johnson keeps evoking memories of previous glorious seasons in the post-Ditka era. To wit: • The uncanny, fantas...
www.markpotash.net
November 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The #Bears' 2025 season is trending like 2012, when Lovie Smith's team started 7-1 against a soft schedule, predictably fell flat against better opponents and missed the playoffs. But there's one big difference. Well, two. Maybe three. 1st-and-10:
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www.markpotash.net/post/1st-and...
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium:1. Devin DuvernayThe veteran kick returner had not made a big impact this season o...
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November 16, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 24-20 victory over the Giants on Sunday at Soldier Field: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...
The Magnificent 7
Seven players (actually six players and one coach) who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 24-20 victory over the Giants on Sunday at Soldier Field: 1. Caleb Williams It remains to be seen if Willia...
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November 10, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The Magnificent 7 — Seven players who made the biggest impact in the Bears' 24-20 victory over the Giants on Sunday at Soldier Field: www.markpotash.net/post/the-mag...