Updated NFL Playoff Picture, More on Darnell Wright’s Big Game, Samuel Picks a Team, and Other Bears Bullets
I’ve grown into more of a walker since the end of 2022. It has helped with my mental health (those walks afer Bears losses in 2023 and 2024 were good for the soul) and physical health, too. But, without fail, my step count takes a hit this time of year. The 1-2 punch of it getting darker earlier and temperatures plummeting does a number on me. Does anyone have any advice on how to get my step game trending back in the right direction? Bears fans woke up on a turn-the-page Wednesday with their favorite team holding a playoff spot and ahead of the Packers in the standings. You’d think it doesn’t get much better than this, but I have a few idea of how it can. And it starts with a win against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at US Bank Stadium. Patrick takes a look at the updated playoff picture going into Week 11: A Look at the NFL Playoff Picture How Real Is the Top of the AFC? Are the Seahawks the Most Dangerous Team? Where Do the Bears Fit In? www.bleachernation.com/bears/2025/1…[image or embed]— Bleacher Nation Bears (@bn-bears.bsky.social) November 11, 2025 at 1:25 PM EPISODE NO. 8 OF THE BN BEARS PODCAST IS HERE: Apple | Spotify | YouTube While the Bears get the FOX “A” Team broadcast of Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, and Tom Rinaldi on Sunday, there is a belief in some circles that the CBS top broadcast tandem is taking a step back. I still enjoy listening to Jim Nantz call a game, but Tony Romo needs to get back to what made him a broadcast wizard with his in-game analysis and Steve Stone-like ability to predict wha is coming next. Perhaps we will see that pairing in Week 12, which is when CBS is scheduled to have the Bears-Steelers game. More NFL media notes: You better get used to the national networks talking about the Bears so long as they continue their winning ways: Rex Ryan says Caleb Williams is a “generational talent” pic.twitter.com/jA6TG9tcz9— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) November 10, 2025 How about a little commotion for Darnell Wright? The Chicago Bears right tackle allowed just two pressures on in the 34 pass-blocking matchups against Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. That is impressive stuff when you consider Burns is a two-time Pro Bowler who leads the NFL with sacks, Carter was a the third overall pick in this year’s draft and Thibodeaus was a top-5 selection. I don’t want to put the cart ahead of the horse, but Wright is playing his way into consideration for being in the conversation with Detroit Lions standout Penei Sewell as the NFL’s top right tackle. On the other side of the line, this graphic shows that Theo Benedet could use some help in pass protection: Pressure rate over expected (PROE) relative to how long QBs hold the ball, and the % of all QB pressures positions are charged withFlacco’s data represents games with CIN pic.twitter.com/CUHe72h7Ld— Football Insights (@fball_insights) November 11, 2025 I’m not ready to give up on the Canadian Eagle just yet. His run-blocking excellence is nothing to sneeze at when breaking down his game. But the pass protection needs work. He’ll continue to get the trial-by-fire development arc until further notice. Jul 23, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears guard Theo Benedet (79) and offensive tackle Darnell Wright (58) run a drill during training camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter/X) reports that free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. Samuel was reportedly set to visit the Bears on Tuesday, and I thought he would have been a good fit for this team. But not only does he not land in Chicago, he heads to a Pittsburgh team that will visit Soldier Field in Week 12. Double whammy. Asante Samuel Jr. signing with the practice squad raises my eyebrows. Any team can try to sign him, which would force the Steelers’ hand by either elevating him to the 53-man roster or allowing him to leave as a free agent. I’m not privy to the Pittsburgh’s roster situation, but I’m curious as to why he didn’t sign to the active roster. How can you not love college football on a Tuesday? [image or embed]— Sickos Committee (@sickoscommittee.org) November 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM A notebook dump so I can fully move on and turn my attention to Week 11. While I do not think that Olamide Zaccheaus’ dropped passes from last week will cost him a job, I feel like rookie Luther Burden III has earned a larger piece of the snap share. And while I don’t know what exactly OZ does that Luther doesn’t, I hope that the rookie is watching the vet, taking notes, and figuring out what he can do to get in on the action more because playing time is earned (not given). My biggest Week 10 takeaway after a rewatch might be that the Bears are capable of beating anybody on any given Sunday. They are also capable of losing to anyone. But that isn’t some earth-shattering thought. We just saw the Bills lose to the Dolphins last week. This is a feature, not a bug, of life in the NFL in 2025. Nov 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the first half against the New York Giants at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images Everytime I think Nahshon Wright isn’t long for this team, he makes a play. It’s an interception in Week 1. Then it’s being Johnny-on-the-spot with fumble recoveries against the Commanders and Giants. The guy has a knack for making a surprisingly good play. It would be nice for his coverage to take a step in the right direction ahead of Sunday’s game against the Vikings, where he will likely be matched up with Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison. I left Week 10’s Bears-Giants game wishing that Jaxson Dart was on my fantasy team. He is fun to watch. But then I realized that Sunday’s trip to concussion protocol wasn’t his first this season. So while losing to Chicago in an unimaginable way might’ve been what ultimately cost Brian Daboll his job, how he was handling his rookie quarterback might have been more of a deciding factor. I hope NFL fans appreciate what the late Paul Tagliabue did as the league’s commissioner. The NFL isn’t what it is now without Mr. Tagliabue’s contributions. Frankly, it is as big as it is now largely because of the foundation he laid down. He brought expansion, advanced an entertaining product, and had some notable philanthropic contributions. A tremendous legacy for a top-tier commissioner. MORE BEARS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad-Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲Play a 4+ leg entry ($10+) and get $5 in bonus funds automatically. All users eligible Bonuses delivered ThursdayBuild your winning lineup https://t.co/yIyH4ZdPpO pic.twitter.com/3cwyxT9nA8— Bleacher Nation Fantasy (@BN_Fantasy_) November 12, 2025 Jed Hoyer Discusses the Shōta Imanaga Options Decisionshttps://t.co/tWT1AwQrRw pic.twitter.com/79pvJrnVLl— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) November 12, 2025 Good News: The Chicago Bulls Could Have A Lot of Wins Coming Up …https://t.co/RtzBBV22Jm— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 11, 2025 Lots of Olympics buzz about Connor Bedard making the 🇨🇦 roster. But let’s not sleep on #Blackhawks 🥅Spencer Knight making a strong case for the 🇺🇸 roster. https://t.co/MHKUbOgBU3— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 12, 2025
