The Chicago Bears are sitting at 7-2 through the first nine weeks, where they’re riding a four-game winning streak while sitting in first place in the NFC North ahead of a difficult final stretch of the season.
The Bears are off to their best start since 2012, where they’ve won seven games and lost just two, with both defeats coming in games that quarterback Caleb Williams didn’t finish. Chicago got off to a historic start against the Carolina Panthers, dropping 59 points in their season-opening win, and they managed to go 2-1 with Williams sidelined with a hamstring injury. While the defense had its struggles, they were still a solid unit — and that was before the addition of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, which has completely overhauled the defense.
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There are still plenty of questions and evaluation to be done at the bye week, which comes at the halftime point of this season, but it also allows key starters time to heal up before returning to the lineup for a Week 11 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Ben Johnson had the best message for Bears after ugly win vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (13) returns a kick off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is tackled short of the first down by the Chicago Bears defense in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Kalif Raymond (14) fumbles a punt against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) rushes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) rushes the ball against Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker al-Quadin Muhammad (97) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenny Gainwell (1) rushes the ball against the Chicago Bears in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Ben Johnson says Bears’ red-zone defense won game vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) reacts after a tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) reacts after a tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Daniel Hardy (92) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Daniel Hardy (92) reacts after a tackle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Ben Johnson discusses Bears’ fourth-quarter comeback vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) reacts after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) react after the game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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The Morning After…the Bears’ ugly Week 9 win vs. Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) reacts after making the game winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Bears made the wrong kind of history in 5-turnover win vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) reacts after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Chicago Bears enter bye week in first place in NFC North
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) reacts after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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8 takeaways from the Bears’ stressful win over the Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) is pressured by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) points after kicking the game winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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8 takeaways from the Bears’ stressful win over the Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (13) reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) reacts after making a touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Bear up, Bear down: Whose stock is rising and falling at the bye
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) makes a catch Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Bears QB Caleb Williams explains what went wrong with 4 INTS vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) makes a touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Ben Johnson says Devin Bush had his best game as a Bear vs. Bucs
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Devin Bush (12) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) at Soldier Field. in the first half. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (13) draws a penalty on Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) takes the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Ben Johnson never lost hope in Caleb Williams on game-winning drive
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) drops back to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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NFL Week 10 power rankings: How trade deadline impacted the standings
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) reacts after making a touchdown catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears place kicker Cairo Santos (8) kicks a PAT against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Austin Booker (94) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (99) react after a defensive stop against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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5 most important plays from Bears’ Week 9 win over Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (10) reacts with quarterback Caleb Williams (18) after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Ben Johnson on Bears offense’s mid-game struggles vs. Buccaneers
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) attempts to make a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (15) reacts after a catch against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
(Matt Marton, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Photos from the Bears’ ugly 27-24 win over Bucs in Week 9
Nov 8, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (98) tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (14) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images
(Talia Sprague, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
With the bye week upon us, here are the Bears’ statistical leaders through Week 9 (via Chicago Bears):
Offensive leaders
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Passing yards: Caleb Williams (1,546)
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Rushing yards: D’Andre Swift (576)
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Receiving yards: Luther Burden III (644)
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Passing touchdowns: Caleb Williams (8)
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Rushing touchdowns: D’Andre Swift (10)
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Receiving touchdowns: Luther Burden III (4)
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Receptions: Luther Burden III (49)
Defensive leaders
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Tackles: Dillon Thieneman (57)
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Sacks: Jeffery Simmons (6)
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Interceptions: Jaylon Johnson, T.J. Edwards, Dillon Thieneman, Malik Muhammad, Cam Lewis, D’Ámbito Jackson, James Lynch (1)
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Touchdowns: Jaylon Johnson (1)
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Pass breakups: Malik Muhammad (5)
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Fumbles: Austin Booker, Kyler Gordon (2)
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears stat leaders at the Week 10 bye
