Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
It's time for five on. Nailah Rahimi and Marshall Harris with Mark Grote. Bringing you five topics on their mind today. On Chicago Sports Radio 670 The Score. I got five more minutes. Number one.
The Bears were extremely aggressive on fourth down, and the teams come from behind. 31-27 win over the Packers in the wildcard round. Here's what Bears coach Ben Johnson had to say about it on Monday.
The aggressive fourth down mentality had something to do with time of possession and making sure that we're maximizing our possessions. It's a strategy we talked about as a team. The whole team was highly aware of it and had a lot of confidence.
Bears coach Ben Johnson there. What are your thoughts on his fourth down mentality?
Chapter 2: What aggressive strategies did the Bears use against the Packers?
You know what told the tale? A stat that a lot of people said was out of style. You're kind of like batting average. Don't trade Nico Horner. Hey, no, not today.
Not today, Satan.
And not today, same when it comes to time of possession either. Because time of possession when it comes to measuring a run game, for example, is still pretty valid. Still in style with me. And the time of possession in this game, the Bears win over the Packers, the 31-27er. 27-19 in favor of the Packers, and the Bears won that time of possession battle by not a score, but a time of 32-41.
Well, why do I bring that up? Because the time of possession in the last meeting with these Green Bay Packers was not that. Green Bay had dominated 38-57, so nearly 39 minutes of the game they had the ball, and the Bears only had it 26 minutes and 13 seconds of the game. Therein lies control of the game you're playing. So for Ben Johnson to go for it on fourth down, that's what part of that was.
It was, when in doubt, go for it. Send it, as the kids say. So I think that that was the mentality when it came to the strategy against Green Bay. Okay, so listen. People need to understand... That where we are in the season, in these win or go home games, the time for learning and development, as it were, is essentially over. It's just win by any means necessary.
Which, yes, is most of the time the case, but you can do it in a more conservative manner during the regular season. But now... Whatever is necessary today. Yes. To ensure there is a tomorrow. How about that?
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Chapter 3: How does time of possession impact game strategy?
Wint? Well, no. Not Wint. Yes, Wint! Wint! No. No. No. Oski. But here's the thing. Shout out to Burnsy. When we talk about... fourth down conversion percentage, and you start looking at where the Bears rank in the league, they're dead in the middle, 15th, just above average, at 51.7%. And guess what?
Because you said everything you just said about time possession, and it is entirely true, I know one thing, when you punt, you no longer have possession of the football. When you go for it, at the rate that they've been doing it, half the time, you will retain possession of the football. That is a clear way for the Bears to have a chance against a team like the Rams, which scores a lot of points.
I think a lot of lessons were not learned necessarily, but hardened in what happened in Santa Clara when you talk about that 49ers game and the way it went and understanding the defense cannot get stops at a level which Ben Johnson is confident and comfortable with. So because of that, I expect going forward, more of the same. You could see five to 10 fourth down plays
conversions or attempts i should say from ben johnson this game on sunday yeah and just following up with the spirit of the question what are your thoughts on ben johnson's fourth town mentality i like ben johnson's fourth down mentality now inevitably there is an opportunity cost with it there are going to be times when i'm probably going to be like what where are you thinking but
If you're asking the question, I am a yes, and so you're going to have to live with it. I was trying to figure out and ask the question at the very beginning of the show, what is Ben Johnson's identity? The identity is aggression, to be aggressive on the football field. Where does that come from?
That comes from a guy by the name of Dan Campbell to a large degree on his want to go for it on fourth down. And we all know, I think we all know, they know in Detroit, as much as they love Dan Campbell, there's been some days where they wanted to crush Dan Campbell because of over Going forward on fourth down and failing. That day is going to come for Ben Johnson.
I'm just saying, I'm expecting Ben Johnson to be here for the next seven to ten years or whatever. There's going to be days where we're coming in here going, what was he thinking? Why was he going forward on fourth and eight on his own 42-yard line? Go down swinging. It comes down to this for the three of us. It comes down to this simple question.
Do you trust Caleb Williams or the Bears defense more with the game on the line? Caleb Williams. Game over. Send it.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell toured potential Bears stadium sites in Northwest Indiana and Arlington Heights over the weekend. Then on Monday, the Bears sent a survey to season ticket holders asking how they would feel about a new Northwest Indiana stadium.
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Chapter 4: What is Ben Johnson's approach to fourth down decisions?
You got to hear what people are offering. If they get back someone who can help them win this season, I might have a different reaction. But if they don't get someone who can help them win this season, I see it as a big blow against their ability to compete, heading into what we know is going to be a likely work stoppage in 2027. So you can't punt on this season in trading Nico Horner.
That's, I think, my overall message on this. Yeah, and as Marshall said, we discussed this a little bit earlier, and he's been terrific with the Cubs. As Layla mentioned, too, and I think it's important that he is from the Cubs. He is from the Cubs system. You like those guys, you develop your own, and you pay your own and all that, but you must listen.
If he is as good as we are saying he is in terms of what he does on a baseball field... then you should be able to get something quality back. And then the other part, too, is that the Cubs have shown, don't look now, that they can develop young players in this very recent era. That PCA made the jump, and I know he's got work to do. Michael Bush looks like a player.
Matt Shaw, another guy who we know exactly how up and down it was, but I think Matt Shaw could be a pretty good player, and who knows? Maybe he makes the big jump. Yes, I want Nico Horner on the Cubs, but you must listen.
This is 500 on 670 to score and going back to the Bears. Who did you call or text first after the Bears beat the Packers on Saturday night?
Okay, so this is kind of a trick question because the default was us. I texted the group thread and I'm like, no effing way. And then also I usually vent to Lawrence Holmes during games at times. My Bears thoughts. So I believe Lawrence was like the second text. It was our team. Cause that's what we do. So yeah, it was our group thread. I'm pretty sure. And it was, it was me venting to Lawrence.
And then he's like, I think I said something because he goes, Hey, if the bears win, do you want to record a pod? And I was like, yeah. And I'm like, guess we're recording that pod. You know, the comeback line of all time. It's going to be written forever. So, yeah, pretty happy about that, but it was Lawrence for me. You were running down to the locker room.
Was Dan Wiederer your first text when he was in real life and the two were adorable? Yeah, we're just always trying to be adorable. That's what Take the North brings you, adorability factor. My primary text person during Bears games this year has become my Aunt Rhonda.
my she is the the biggest bears fan in the world unfortunately aunt rhonda has been in the hospital lately she's dealing with some things oh no she's been so she watched the game from the hospital and they had to tell her at the hospital
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