Watching my alma mater, Southern Illinois, go on the road, beat a top-15 team in its building by 30 points (and on Senior Day!) got my juices flowing and ready for today’s Bears game. Selfishly, I hope The Committee puts the Salukis in as an at-large team. Their efforts might fall under the “too little, too late” umbrella, but at least it was fun to witness.
Happy Game Day! The Chicago Bears enter Week 12 in sole possession of first place in the NFC North. Who knows how long it will last? No one. So there is nothing wrong with enjoying a seat atop the division standings while it is still a reality. ICYMI: The Bears will go into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with its top three starting linebackers sidelined with injuries. Further, the team placed (arguably) its best linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds, on injured reserve. That isn’t ideal, but the NFL wheel doesn’t stop turning and the league certainly will not slow down to offer its condolences and well-wishes. It’s next man up for the Bears, who could get creative at the position.FOLLOW BLEACHER NATION’S BEARS COVERAGE: Twitter | Facebook | BlueSky
I think the only person who knows if Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play is Aaron Rodgers. And since I have no interest in going inside his head, I’ll just let it play out however it is meant to play out. This was the latest update from Saturday night:It’s always something with this guy ?[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@bn-bears.bsky.social) November 22, 2025 at 9:44 PM My gut feeling: Aaron Rodgers plays this week. I’m sure there is nothing more that ego-driven whackadoodle would love more than to come to Soldier Field and beat the Bears with just one hand in his final game against the team he claims to “own.” If that is how the cookie crumbles, and Rodgers does start, it is up to Chicago’s football team to do everything in its power to prevent the long-time Bears nemesis from writing his preferred storyline. Dennis Allen on facing Aaron Rodgers: “It’s hard to fool him.” (Tribune) Speaking of Allen, I’m reminded that Aaron Rodgers vs. the Bears isn’t the only rivalry storyline on our plate today:Arthur Smith was HOT after Dennis Allen scored a late touchdown. Cussing up a dang storm! pic.twitter.com/mgPX318fyq
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 7, 2024 Dennis Allen vs. Arthur Smith is a showdown between a pair of former NFC South head coaches who are coordinators going up against each other on Sunday. Allen is in his first year as the Bears’ defensive coordinator, while Smith is in Year 2 as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator. I hope DA has some tricks up his sleeve as he prepares to square off against a familar foe.WEEK 12 BEARS-STEELERS STORYLINES
Another rivalry worth keeping tabs on today: Bears kickers vs. the elements. Chicago’s Week 12 game against Minnesota was the last indoor/fair weather game on the schedule. From here on out, the team will be playing in the elements. And while fans are understandably concerned about Cairo Santos, Dan Wiederer (The Athletic) points out that Chicago’s kicker isn’t worried. We love a confident kicker around here, folks. Cairo Santos’ kicking stats in games after Nov. 1 since 2022: 53/62 (85.5%). Santos’ kicking stats in outdoor games since 2022: 62/70 (88.5%). This could very well be the last hurrah for Santos. It would behoove him to finish strong. The Bears haven’t been shy about bringing in kicking competition with this new regime. Santos needs to somehow keep his head on a swivel, while also staying focused on the task at hand. Good luck with that! Based on this set of data, I feel as if we could get a big game from Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze:Rome Odunze has played four defenses that run man coverage at a top-10 rate this season:-Lions (7-128-2)-Ravens (7-114-0)-Giants (6-86-1)-Commanders (2-32-0 + short TD nullified by penalty)Up next: Steelers (5th most man coverage, dead last in PPR/game allowed to WRs)
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 18, 2025 Odunze has 39 catches, 600 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns in 10 games. This puts him at a 17 game pace of 66 catches, 1,020 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. On the one hand, it is easy to say that Odunze came back to earth after his blazing start. But on the other hand, the “back to earth” version of Odunze is still a playmaker who is on pace to best his rookie year production and put up a 1,000-yard receiving season as a second-year player. With that being said, I feel like Rome has a big boom game coming soon. What better time than now? I wonder what a big game for Rome Odunze could do for Declan Doyle’s coaching stock. The Bears offensive coordinator was name-checked in Tom Pelissero’s list of potential coaching candidates to watch in this upcoming NFL hiring cycle. We’ll do some deep diving into Doyle early in this week. If anything, it’ll give you something to read at Thanksgiving while you ignore that relative who insists the Bears should be starting Tyson Bagent. Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) stiff arms Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (6) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Marquee’s Nicholas Moreano lists Bears tight end Cole Kmet as one of his players to watch on Sunday. And with good reason! Kmet is coming off his best all-around game of the year. In addition to his receptions and angry runs, Kmet was a key piece of the blocking game with chips in pass protection and downhill blocks in the ground-and-pound. Where can I sign up for more of that? The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain goes has the backstory of Ben Johnson’s “Good, Better, Best” motto. Those postgame videos have been a joy to watch. I hope we get to see one again today.MORE BEARS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad-Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
Box Score & Player Grades: Bulls 121, Wizards 120 – November 22, 2025 www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/1…[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@bn-bulls.bsky.social) November 23, 2025 at 6:00 AMWhy We Love the Blackhawks in Black #blackhawks www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2…[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@bn-blackhawks.bsky.social) November 22, 2025 at 10:35 AMCubs Are Still in on Top Relievers Even After Maton Signing www.bleachernation.com/cubs/2025/11…[image or embed]
— Bleacher Nation (@bleachernation.bsky.social) November 22, 2025 at 3:30 PMHence then, the article about is rome odunze primed for a week 12 breakout dennis allen vs an old rival cairo santos has no concerns and other bears bullets was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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