Eli Ong
@thepenofeli.bsky.social
Digital Sports Journalist at WGN TV News | All things Chicago Sports | PFWA Member | GVSU/Medill Alum |
11 weeks into the season, the Bears sit in the driver’s seat of the NFC North. It’s an improbable turnaround from just one year ago, but how exactly have they gotten to this point?
Resilience, trust, and a bit of luck, if we’re being honest. @wgntv.com
wgntv.com/sports/a-loo...
Resilience, trust, and a bit of luck, if we’re being honest. @wgntv.com
wgntv.com/sports/a-loo...
November 18, 2025 at 4:46 AM
11 weeks into the season, the Bears sit in the driver’s seat of the NFC North. It’s an improbable turnaround from just one year ago, but how exactly have they gotten to this point?
Resilience, trust, and a bit of luck, if we’re being honest. @wgntv.com
wgntv.com/sports/a-loo...
Resilience, trust, and a bit of luck, if we’re being honest. @wgntv.com
wgntv.com/sports/a-loo...
Another one from Next Gen Stats,
The Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings was their 5th win of 2025 after trailing with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter, tied for the most such wins in a season in NFL history.
The other teams they're tied with? The 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos.
The Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings was their 5th win of 2025 after trailing with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter, tied for the most such wins in a season in NFL history.
The other teams they're tied with? The 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos.
November 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Another one from Next Gen Stats,
The Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings was their 5th win of 2025 after trailing with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter, tied for the most such wins in a season in NFL history.
The other teams they're tied with? The 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos.
The Bears' 19-17 victory over the Vikings was their 5th win of 2025 after trailing with less than 2 minutes to play in the 4th quarter, tied for the most such wins in a season in NFL history.
The other teams they're tied with? The 2016 Lions and 2011 Broncos.
Caleb Williams set a franchise record with his 5th game-winning drive in the 4th quarter or later Sunday against the Vikings.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams (23 years, 363 days) also became the 2nd-youngest starting QB with a 4th-quarter comeback win in 3 or more straight games since 1950.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams (23 years, 363 days) also became the 2nd-youngest starting QB with a 4th-quarter comeback win in 3 or more straight games since 1950.
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Caleb Williams set a franchise record with his 5th game-winning drive in the 4th quarter or later Sunday against the Vikings.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams (23 years, 363 days) also became the 2nd-youngest starting QB with a 4th-quarter comeback win in 3 or more straight games since 1950.
According to Next Gen Stats, Williams (23 years, 363 days) also became the 2nd-youngest starting QB with a 4th-quarter comeback win in 3 or more straight games since 1950.
Sunday was emotional for Nahshon Wright and those who knew John Beam—Wright's junior college coach, who was killed on Friday.
"He did a lot for me and my brother, and my family. He’s been there every step of the way."
The INT that "meant the world," for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/bears...
"He did a lot for me and my brother, and my family. He’s been there every step of the way."
The INT that "meant the world," for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/bears...
November 17, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Sunday was emotional for Nahshon Wright and those who knew John Beam—Wright's junior college coach, who was killed on Friday.
"He did a lot for me and my brother, and my family. He’s been there every step of the way."
The INT that "meant the world," for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/bears...
"He did a lot for me and my brother, and my family. He’s been there every step of the way."
The INT that "meant the world," for @wgntv.com:
wgntv.com/sports/bears...
Some two-and-a-half months later, the football gods rewarded the #Bears with an opportunity for a do-over on their Week 1 debacle against the #Vikings.
This time around, the Bears found a way to win.
How they did it, for @wgntv.com: bit.ly/3M30l5A
This time around, the Bears found a way to win.
How they did it, for @wgntv.com: bit.ly/3M30l5A
November 17, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Some two-and-a-half months later, the football gods rewarded the #Bears with an opportunity for a do-over on their Week 1 debacle against the #Vikings.
This time around, the Bears found a way to win.
How they did it, for @wgntv.com: bit.ly/3M30l5A
This time around, the Bears found a way to win.
How they did it, for @wgntv.com: bit.ly/3M30l5A
Caleb Williams honed in on the idea of "killer instinct" helping the #Bears finish games, but also how they need to get better at it earlier on.
"You have to have a killer instinct to be in these games and finish these games the way we have, to fight all the way through and come out victorious."
"You have to have a killer instinct to be in these games and finish these games the way we have, to fight all the way through and come out victorious."
November 16, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Caleb Williams honed in on the idea of "killer instinct" helping the #Bears finish games, but also how they need to get better at it earlier on.
"You have to have a killer instinct to be in these games and finish these games the way we have, to fight all the way through and come out victorious."
"You have to have a killer instinct to be in these games and finish these games the way we have, to fight all the way through and come out victorious."
Week 1, JJ McCarthy finds Justin Jefferson to make it a 17-12 ballgame with 12:13 to go in the 4th quarter.
Week 11, Jordan Mason runs it in from 16 yards out to make it a 16-10 game with 12:33 to go in the 4th quarter.
Week 11, Jordan Mason runs it in from 16 yards out to make it a 16-10 game with 12:33 to go in the 4th quarter.
November 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Week 1, JJ McCarthy finds Justin Jefferson to make it a 17-12 ballgame with 12:13 to go in the 4th quarter.
Week 11, Jordan Mason runs it in from 16 yards out to make it a 16-10 game with 12:33 to go in the 4th quarter.
Week 11, Jordan Mason runs it in from 16 yards out to make it a 16-10 game with 12:33 to go in the 4th quarter.
Last week, it was Olamide Zaccheaus with the stone hands. This week, it's Luther Burden with the butter fingers.
November 16, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Last week, it was Olamide Zaccheaus with the stone hands. This week, it's Luther Burden with the butter fingers.
If the score stands for the rest of the third, the Bears are going to essentially have a re-do opportunity of their Week 1 debacle against the Vikings.
Right now, we're at 13-3. Chicago entered the fourth quarter in Week 1 up 17-6. We all know what happened after that.
Right now, we're at 13-3. Chicago entered the fourth quarter in Week 1 up 17-6. We all know what happened after that.
November 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
If the score stands for the rest of the third, the Bears are going to essentially have a re-do opportunity of their Week 1 debacle against the Vikings.
Right now, we're at 13-3. Chicago entered the fourth quarter in Week 1 up 17-6. We all know what happened after that.
Right now, we're at 13-3. Chicago entered the fourth quarter in Week 1 up 17-6. We all know what happened after that.
Welp, that was a CLEAR missed facemask call. Cairo Santos hits the 54-yard field goal on the ensuing play. 13-3 Bears.
November 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Welp, that was a CLEAR missed facemask call. Cairo Santos hits the 54-yard field goal on the ensuing play. 13-3 Bears.
An amazing photo from the AP's Abbie Parr capturing the moment:
November 16, 2025 at 7:46 PM
An amazing photo from the AP's Abbie Parr capturing the moment:
The fact I have yet to see a Caleb Williams escape artist highlight mashup, set to Slippery by Migos, is a huge missed opportunity.
Someone's gotta make this happen.
Someone's gotta make this happen.
November 16, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The fact I have yet to see a Caleb Williams escape artist highlight mashup, set to Slippery by Migos, is a huge missed opportunity.
Someone's gotta make this happen.
Someone's gotta make this happen.
Nahshon Wright with the Bears’ second pick of the day.
Wright, who took a knee and made a cross signal surrounded by his teammates afterward, has had an emotional last few days. His junior college coach, John Beam, died in a shooting earlier this week.
Wright, who took a knee and made a cross signal surrounded by his teammates afterward, has had an emotional last few days. His junior college coach, John Beam, died in a shooting earlier this week.
November 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Nahshon Wright with the Bears’ second pick of the day.
Wright, who took a knee and made a cross signal surrounded by his teammates afterward, has had an emotional last few days. His junior college coach, John Beam, died in a shooting earlier this week.
Wright, who took a knee and made a cross signal surrounded by his teammates afterward, has had an emotional last few days. His junior college coach, John Beam, died in a shooting earlier this week.
Bears playing like a roller coaster on the precipice of going off the rails right now.
Rome Odunze finds a way to recover a horribly botched hand-off for a 15 yard loss, then catches a fastball from Caleb Williams to move them from 2nd-and-25, to 3rd-and-1.
Rome Odunze finds a way to recover a horribly botched hand-off for a 15 yard loss, then catches a fastball from Caleb Williams to move them from 2nd-and-25, to 3rd-and-1.
November 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Bears playing like a roller coaster on the precipice of going off the rails right now.
Rome Odunze finds a way to recover a horribly botched hand-off for a 15 yard loss, then catches a fastball from Caleb Williams to move them from 2nd-and-25, to 3rd-and-1.
Rome Odunze finds a way to recover a horribly botched hand-off for a 15 yard loss, then catches a fastball from Caleb Williams to move them from 2nd-and-25, to 3rd-and-1.
The answer? 1-yard run, incompletion, incompletion (holding penalty declined on Swift), punt.
JJ McCarthy bailed out the Bears' defense with a couple easy misses on the Vikings' first drive. Let's see how Caleb Williams and the offense respond on their first opportunity.
November 16, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The answer? 1-yard run, incompletion, incompletion (holding penalty declined on Swift), punt.
JJ McCarthy bailed out the Bears' defense with a couple easy misses on the Vikings' first drive. Let's see how Caleb Williams and the offense respond on their first opportunity.
November 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
JJ McCarthy bailed out the Bears' defense with a couple easy misses on the Vikings' first drive. Let's see how Caleb Williams and the offense respond on their first opportunity.
Great pass pro in combination with Caleb Williams taking the easy throw for good yards here.
Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson tag team Dexter Lawrence on the snap, while Joe Thuney initially engages with Roy Robertson-Harris.
Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson tag team Dexter Lawrence on the snap, while Joe Thuney initially engages with Roy Robertson-Harris.
November 14, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Great pass pro in combination with Caleb Williams taking the easy throw for good yards here.
Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson tag team Dexter Lawrence on the snap, while Joe Thuney initially engages with Roy Robertson-Harris.
Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson tag team Dexter Lawrence on the snap, while Joe Thuney initially engages with Roy Robertson-Harris.
More great tape of #Bears blocking against the Giants--D'Andre Swift's 25-yard skedaddle off the right end in Q2.
Whole left side of the line gets great positioning and walls off their matchups, then the cherry on top is how Kmet, Burden and Loveland create a hole to spring Swift up the right side.
Whole left side of the line gets great positioning and walls off their matchups, then the cherry on top is how Kmet, Burden and Loveland create a hole to spring Swift up the right side.
November 14, 2025 at 11:09 PM
More great tape of #Bears blocking against the Giants--D'Andre Swift's 25-yard skedaddle off the right end in Q2.
Whole left side of the line gets great positioning and walls off their matchups, then the cherry on top is how Kmet, Burden and Loveland create a hole to spring Swift up the right side.
Whole left side of the line gets great positioning and walls off their matchups, then the cherry on top is how Kmet, Burden and Loveland create a hole to spring Swift up the right side.
Even though Caleb Williams was sacked on this play, love the pass pro from Joe Thuney here.
He handles Kayvon Thibodeaux on the initial stunt, then holds his ground against Thibodeaux on his next attempt when Caleb tries to step up, but is caught from behind.
He handles Kayvon Thibodeaux on the initial stunt, then holds his ground against Thibodeaux on his next attempt when Caleb tries to step up, but is caught from behind.
November 14, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Even though Caleb Williams was sacked on this play, love the pass pro from Joe Thuney here.
He handles Kayvon Thibodeaux on the initial stunt, then holds his ground against Thibodeaux on his next attempt when Caleb tries to step up, but is caught from behind.
He handles Kayvon Thibodeaux on the initial stunt, then holds his ground against Thibodeaux on his next attempt when Caleb tries to step up, but is caught from behind.
Going back through the Bears-Giants film to look at the #Bears blocking on offense.
Kyle Monangai's 8-yard TD was fantastic in that department.
4 players I want to highlight here--Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney, Cole Kmet and Theo Benedet.
Kyle Monangai's 8-yard TD was fantastic in that department.
4 players I want to highlight here--Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney, Cole Kmet and Theo Benedet.
November 14, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Going back through the Bears-Giants film to look at the #Bears blocking on offense.
Kyle Monangai's 8-yard TD was fantastic in that department.
4 players I want to highlight here--Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney, Cole Kmet and Theo Benedet.
Kyle Monangai's 8-yard TD was fantastic in that department.
4 players I want to highlight here--Jonah Jackson, Joe Thuney, Cole Kmet and Theo Benedet.
TJ Edwards and Jahdae Walker are both OUT for Sunday’s contest in Minneapolis against the Vikings.
Jaquan Brisker (back) is questionable.
Jaquan Brisker (back) is questionable.
November 14, 2025 at 7:41 PM
TJ Edwards and Jahdae Walker are both OUT for Sunday’s contest in Minneapolis against the Vikings.
Jaquan Brisker (back) is questionable.
Jaquan Brisker (back) is questionable.
The Bears have activated the 21-day practice window for CB Jaylon Johnson.
November 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The Bears have activated the 21-day practice window for CB Jaylon Johnson.
Four days later, still thinking about this Darnell Wright block/Caleb Williams pirouette combo.
This is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
This is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Four days later, still thinking about this Darnell Wright block/Caleb Williams pirouette combo.
This is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
This is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
Thursday Injury Report from the #Bears:
DNP: Jaquan Brisker (back), TJ Edwards (hand/hamstring), Jahdae Walker (concussion). Joe Thuney was also a DNP, but it was for NIR-Rest.
Limited: DJ Moore (shoulder), Rome Odunze (ankle)
DNP: Jaquan Brisker (back), TJ Edwards (hand/hamstring), Jahdae Walker (concussion). Joe Thuney was also a DNP, but it was for NIR-Rest.
Limited: DJ Moore (shoulder), Rome Odunze (ankle)
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Thursday Injury Report from the #Bears:
DNP: Jaquan Brisker (back), TJ Edwards (hand/hamstring), Jahdae Walker (concussion). Joe Thuney was also a DNP, but it was for NIR-Rest.
Limited: DJ Moore (shoulder), Rome Odunze (ankle)
DNP: Jaquan Brisker (back), TJ Edwards (hand/hamstring), Jahdae Walker (concussion). Joe Thuney was also a DNP, but it was for NIR-Rest.
Limited: DJ Moore (shoulder), Rome Odunze (ankle)