Homestead-Miami Speedway (Homestead, Fla.) — New NASCAR Chief Executive Officer Steve O’Donnell described NASCAR as a spot with momentum but one with work to do, as he talked about scheduling, the car and driver safety during his state-of-the-sport news conference Friday.

O’Donnell’s NASCAR career has spanned decades and he was named CEO in April. He cited a 5 percent rise in attendance and social media impressions being up 34 percent.

“I think as you look at what we can do and what that focus should be on where we’re going,” O’Donnell said. “I hear the fans, and it’s in making NASCAR easier to follow, and we’ve got to do a better job telling the stories about the people that are in this industry.”

Telling those stories depends on a variety of factors. 

Among the topics O’Donnell addressed:

Scheduling

NASCAR took the competition to Naval Base Coronado in June 2026. (Getty Images)

O’Donnell said the sport continues to look at new markets, including international markets, but had nothing to announce. He said the plan of having an annual race at a military base (NASCAR will return to Naval Base Coronado in 2027 but has said it will go to a different base in 2028) has widespread support and felt confident in the plan no matter the result of elections. 

On new domestic markets: “Then longer term is making sure that we’re hitting the markets that are important to grow our fan base. So in some cases, you can look at opening up those avenues through social media, YouTube, or content. In others, we may need to bring a race.”

On new international markets: “We don’t want to just go somewhere for the sake of going somewhere. If we take a race somewhere, we want to make sure that we’re not just in and out, maybe collecting a fee for the teams in NASCAR and what have we done? Have we brought any new sponsors? OEMs [manufacturers]? New fans? So it’s important for us to go into a marketplace, develop some fans, be in a local market, maybe bring some drivers in, be in the bars, whatever that may be, so they understand what NASCAR is when we go over.”

The Car 

NASCAR is currently happy with the Next Gen car. (Getty Images)

O’Donnell said their fan surveys show satisfaction in the racing product, even with the short-track package that has gotten the brunt of the criticism. 

He said NASCAR is happy with where they are at from an aerodynamic sense and will not test at Daytona in January. He also said the costs to start developing a new version of the Next Gen car would not be as beneficial as making tweaks to the current car. NASCAR is also looking at increasing horsepower at select tracks but no decisions have been made.

“Our metrics when we look at the fan [surveys] and every one says we are trending in a very positive direction,” O’Donnell said. “Does that mean everything is great and we’ve stopped doing anything? No. I think you’ve seen us make some significant changes. We’ll continue to do that.”

Driver Safety

The family of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Fred Lorenzen recently revealed the results of a study of his brain and it came back that he suffered from CTE. When asked about what is NASCAR’s role in the study and treatment of former drivers, O’Donnell shifted to talking about current safety measures and said their doctors have studied the effects of concussions.

“It’s important to first acknowledge that we’re in a dangerous sport, and I think if you look at every sport, one of the top narratives would be around concussions and what is everyone doing,” O’Donnell said.

“This is not new to NASCAR in terms of is this the first time we’ve looked at it. We have a number of doctors that have studied this. We have partnerships with Wake Forest and other universities that have worked together. This has been a focus for us for a long, long time. I am incredibly confident in the doctors that we have.”

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The picks are in. Here are the drivers who will likely end the 2026 NASCAR season as champions.

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New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson on Friday revealed he has spent several days in the hospital undergoing tests to determine the cause of unexplained neurological symptoms that have affected his strength and coordination.

While the tests results have been what he called “reassuring” in coming back positive, the cause of the medical condition remains unknown, Henderson said in a lengthy post on his Instagram account.

“I will continue working closely with my specialists and physical therapists to focus on my recovery, as these symptoms have affected my strength, coordination and some of my physical functions,” Henderson wrote. “I am committed to doing everything necessary to return to full health. My health and long-term well-being remain my foremost priorities.”

The 24-year-old Henderson has not practiced since Oct. 29, when he was listed as having an illness, and was ruled out of playing in 24-19 win over Miami on Sunday. The second-year NFL player has been limited to 203 yards rushing and a touchdown, with 45 yards receiving, in six games this season.

That’s a considerable drop-off for a player who combined for 1,131 yards from scrimmage (911 rushing) and 10 TDs in his rookie season last year.

The Patriots (5-3) host Green Bay (5-3) on Sunday.

Henderson thanked his wife, medical team and the Patriots for their support.

He closed his message by writing: “We respectfully ask for continued prayers and privacy as we focus on my health and recovery. Love Trey.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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He’s back!

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed in a press conference on Friday afternoon that the team expects to activate superstar linebacker Myles Garrett from injured reserve for their Week 9 road tilt against the Washington Commanders (Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX) “barring any sort of setbacks.”

Garrett suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that required arthroscopic surgery and landed him on injured reserve. In Garrett’s absence, the Rams went 4-3 and are 4-4 altogether this season.

Still, as a whole, the Rams’ defense is fourth in the NFL in opponent passing yards (191.9 per game), fifth in opponent total yards (301.1 per game), 12th in opponent points (21.0 per game) and 14th in opponent rushing yards (109.3 per game). Of course, they’re tied for 26th in the sport with 12.0 sacks, which is an area where Garrett’s return will help, among other respects.

Last season, Garrett, a five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, set the NFL single-season record with 23 sacks while totaling three forced fumbles, a league-high 33 tackles for loss and 60 combined tackles for the Cleveland Browns.

Garrett, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2023 and 2025), averaged 13.9 sacks and 2.6 forced fumbles per season across his nine years with the Browns (2017-25), while also leading the sport in tackles for loss in each of his last two seasons in Cleveland (2024-25).

The Rams acquired Garrett from the Browns in June for defensive end and 2024 first-round pick Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder and a 2029 third-rounder.

Elsewhere for the Rams, cornerback Jaylen Watson has been placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a shoulder injury that requires surgery.

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Last weekend’s picks went 3–2, and I’ll take that all day. We have to talk about being a part of sports betting history, though. 

One of my losses was UConn +1.5 and the Huskies fell to an Air Force team that didn’t complete a single pass.

Not one.

It wasn’t funny last Saturday, but it’s hilarious in hindsight.

We know you’re here for informed wagers and I assure you I vet everything through multiple handicappers, oddsmakers and betting buddies who know what they’re doing. Those that do well in this racket know the “how, what and why” and that’s always my goal.

Also, this will never be the place for a million picks or five-team parlays. These will always be the wagers I love the most and ones that I’m betting with my own money. 

Let’s go to work.

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(2026 Record: 22-19-2, +1.1 units)

This line absolutely stinks. Texas just pounded Mississippi State 31-3 and Vegas sportsbooks still opened the Horns at -3? A deeper dive tells the story of how Texas’ offensive line is not getting the job done in the running game. Only 60 yards on 32 carries will not cut it against better competition. Austin Simmons is playing really good quarterback for Mizzou right now and the Tigers are very live to win outright.

Sammy P’s Pick: Missouri (+3)

This line stinks, too. UCLA is a perfect 8-0 against the spread this year and yet Circa Sports opened the Bruins -6. It’s just under the ever-important key number of “7,” and it looks oh, so easy to walk down that red carpet and lay it with UCLA. Stylistically, these two teams are very similar, and the total tells us there won’t be a ton of touchdowns. As long as the Golden Gophers protect the rock, they’ll be able to hang around.

Sammy P’s Pick: Minnesota (+5)

After beating the big, bad Kansas City Chiefs with a goal-line stand, the Broncos now have to fly across the country to face a middling Panthers team. And wise guys were quick to gobble up the +3s on Carolina. Funny how that works, isn’t it? I’ve never been a fan of these cross-country spots and I would rather drink the stuff under the sink than lay a short road number with Bo Nix. Thanks, but no thanks.

Sammy P’s Pick: Panthers (+2.5)

The Rams continue to be overhyped and overvalued in the betting market. They have not made you money this year at the window and this number is currently inside that dangerous territory where a 10-point lead can become a 3-point lead in the final minutes. Washington continues to battle for 60 minutes and Jayden Daniels continues to protect that precious football. Don’t be surprised if this one is close late.

Sammy P’s Pick: Commanders (+4.5)

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Sunday’s Green Bay Packers-New England Patriots game will not only serve as a homecoming for one GOAT, but it will also be a special day for another. 

As Tom Brady is set to call his first game at Gillette Stadium, Rob Gronkowski will be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame over the weekend. Gronkowski arguably became the greatest tight end in NFL history during his nine seasons in New England, winning three Super Bowls, being named a Pro Bowler five times and setting numerous records at the position. 

With Gronkowski setting a new standard for excellence at tight end and becoming one of the key figures of the Patriots’ dynasty run, it’s easy to wonder if he’ll also get a statue outside of Gillette Stadium someday, just like Brady. In fact, Brady was asked if Gronkowski will get a statue outside of Gillette Stadium sometime down the road in the latest edition of “#AskTom.”

Brady not only said yes, but he also gave Patriots fans an idea on how they could build a statue for him this weekend. 

“I actually think we need to crowdsource beer cans this weekend and the fans will build the statue themselves,” Brady said. “I’ll come out, I’ll get it in on the action and that would be a true testament to the Gronk mentality. It would warm my heart.”

Brady connecting on a beer can toss to Gronk to help build a statue would be the latest of several memorable connections they’ve had over the years. The 105 touchdowns (including playoffs) that Brady threw to Gronkowski are the second-most by any quarterback-receiver duo in NFL history. 

But as Brady and Gronkowski return to their old stomping ground this week, which five plays between the two of them were the best at Gillette Stadium? Here are the top five Brady-to-Gronkowski plays at Gillette Stadium. 

5.

Gronk Hauls In Brady’s Perfect Arc Pass For TD vs. Steelers (2015)

When you’ve thrown 105 touchdown passes to one player, you can certainly trust that receiver to come down with a 50/50 ball.

That’s what Brady did with Gronkowski on numerous occasions in his career. One notable instance came in Week 1 of the 2015 season. Lining up in a goal-line formation, Brady ran a play-action fake and threw a lob to Gronkowski in the back of the end zone. Gronkowski used his size to perfectly get himself in position to grab the ball, while somehow keeping his feet inbounds to successfully come down with the touchdown grab.

Gronkowski absolutely dominated the Pittsburgh Steelers in that game as well. He caught five passes for 94 yards — and three of those catches were touchdown grabs. 

Rob Gronkowski had three touchdown grabs against the Steelers in the 2015 regular-season opener. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

That was practically an average showing for Gronkowski against the Steelers in his career. He had 41 catches for 685 yards and eight touchdowns in seven career games against Pittsburgh. 

4.

Gronk Catches Back Shoulder Fade With One Hand vs. Bills (2017)

Another instance where Brady trusted Gronkowski to come down with a 50/50 ball, but this reception was a bit more difficult. Gronkowski was lined out wide and ran a fade along the sideline toward the end zone, with Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde running in lockstep with him.

However, Brady was able to place the ball in a place where Gronkowski could only get it. Gronkowski made a back shoulder grab, only needing one hand to haul in the reception for a 17-yard touchdown. 

That catch helped spark a 37-16 win for the Patriots, with Gronkowski recording five receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown in that game.

3.

Gronk Turns Routine Catch Into TD Thanks To Stiff Arm vs. Bears (2014)

While there were many instances when Brady trusted Gronkowski to come down with a 50/50 grab, this play against the Chicago Bears was one where the all-time great tight end made the magic happen himself. 

Brady threw a low strike to Gronkowski over the middle, getting it by a diving Bears defender. After Gronkowski caught the ball at his ankles, he threw a stiff arm to get one would-be tackler off of him before dragging another would-be tackler five yards and into the end zone for a 47-yard touchdown. 

Gronkowski had nine receptions for 149 yards and three touchdowns in a whopping 51-23 win for the Patriots that day. 

2.

Gronk Makes Diving TD Grab vs. Broncos In Divisional Round (2011)

Gronkowski brought a highlight to remember in one of his first playoff games. With the Patriots looking to tack onto their early 7-0 lead, Brady found Gronkowski in the back corner of the end zone, but it wasn’t an easy catch for the tight end. Gronkowski needed to make a diving effort as he juggled the ball while falling to the turf. 

Gronkowski was able to reel in the grab and did his classic Gronk Spike afterward as the Patriots took a 14-0 lead. That was the first of three touchdown grabs for Gronkowski in that game, as he logged 10 catches for 145 yards in a 45-10 win for the Patriots in the divisional round matchup.

1.

Gronk Reels In Impossible One-Handed Grab vs. Broncos (2014)

Somehow, Gronkowski’s catch against the Broncos in 2011 wasn’t the best catch he made against Denver in his career. A few seasons later, Gronkowski showed why he was one of the most dominant players in the history of the sport with his one-handed grab against the Broncos in 2014. 

As Brady pump-faked and struggled to find an open receiver, he eventually said screw it and decided to throw a pass to Gronkowski, even though he had a few Broncos defenders around him. The throw from Brady wasn’t perfect, as the ball went to Gronkowski’s left as he was running right. He also had Broncos safety T.J. Ward draped all over him.

Still, Gronkowski came down with a 20-yard reception as he grabbed the pass with his left hand. He caught a touchdown pass on the next play as part of a nine-catch, 105-yard day in a 43-21 win over the Broncos, which also featured a memorable image of Denver triple covering Gronkowski. 

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Making it to the Final Four is not equivalent to winning a national title, but still, it’s a pretty big deal.

Let’s check out the odds for who will be the last four men’s teams standing at the end of the season, as of Nov. 3 at DraftKings Sportsbook.

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2026-27 Final Four Odds

Duke: +134
Florida: +164
UConn: +300
Illinois: +310
Michigan St.: +450
Texas: +475
Louisville: +520
Arizona: +550
St. Johns: +590
Texas Tech: +640
Arkansas: +650
Tennessee: +700
Kansas: +750
Houston: +750
Gonzaga: +800
Virginia: +820
Kentucky: +850
Miami: +900
LSU: +1000
UCLA: +1050
USC: +1100
Michigan: +1200

Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:

Familiar Faces: One of the top three names on the oddsboard has made it to the Final Four in each of the past five years. UConn (2022-23, 2023-24) has made it three of the last five years, winning the title twice. Florida has made it once, but won the title that season (2024-25), and Duke has made it twice, failing to win it all on either occasion. Florida opens the year with the shortest odds to make it to the national semifinals. It will return three now-senior standouts in Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Ruben Chinyelu. 

Last Year’s Four: The Final Four consisted of Michigan (champions), UConn, Arizona and Illinois. UConn is third on the board, Illinois is fourth and Arizona is seventh, but the defending champs are all the way down at +1000, which is 20th. The Wolverines not only lost their coach Dusty May to the NBA, they also lost star forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who was a first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year just a year ago. Returning is reigning NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Elliot Cadeau.

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UCLA won its first-ever women’s national title at the conclusion of last season, showing just how strong the women’s college game has gotten as the years have gone on.

Can a first-timer do it again this year? Or will one of the legacy programs return to prominence? Let’s check out the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Nov. 3.

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Women’s NCAA Tournament Champion Odds

South Carolina: +250
UConn: +260
USC: +450
Texas: +1000
Duke: +1800
LSU: +1900
Michigan: +2500
UCLA: +2600
Vanderbilt: +3100
Notre Dame: +3500
Iowa: +3800
Oklahoma State: +4000
Louisville: +5000
North Carolina: +5500
Kentucky: +7000
Ole Miss: +8000

Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:

The Favorite: South Carolina is the defending national title runner-up and will look to make it four straight trips to the national title game this season. In fact, the Gamecocks have made it to the championship game four times in the last five years, winning twice, but most recently losing in back-to-back years — last season and the season before. Joyce Edwards, Tessa Johnson and Chloe Kitts return for South Carolina, and freshman star Jerzy Robinson joins the mix.

The Contenders: Second on the board, to no one’s surprise, is UConn. The Huskies lost to South Carolina in the national semifinals last season, and last won the title at the end of the 2024-25 season. However, there has only been one title win for UConn in the last nine years, after winning four straight from 2013 to 2016. Third on the board is USC, who will enjoy the return of superstar guard JuJu Watkins, who missed all of last season due to a torn ACL. She will join fellow star Jazzy Davidson and 2026 No. 1 recruit Saniyah Hall in an effort to lead the Trojans to their first national title since 1984.

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The Big Ten’s hottest team has to come down at some point, and the comeback kids have to take a week off — right?

Here are the underdogs I’m backing this weekend.

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UCLA is perhaps the best story in all college football this season. Coach Bob Chesney has his team undefeated, igniting a program that has long been dormant. 

Still, while the Bruins are unbeaten and have a clear path to the College Football Playoff, they could be in for a battle this Saturday against an improved Minnesota team that has been feisty in recent weeks. 

Minnesota nearly pulled off the upset as three-touchdown underdogs last week against defending national champion Indiana, and now hosts UCLA. As great of a story as the Bruins are, they haven’t played the stiffest competition, with their biggest signature win coming against a disappointing Oregon team that turned the ball over seven times in a 17-15 game. The other wins have come against Nevada, Michigan State, San Diego State, California, Purdue, Maryland and Wisconsin. 

The weather should not be a major factor Saturday, but with temperatures expected to be in the high 40s, it’s also not ideal for a team from warm and sunny Los Angeles. With the point total set at 39.5, it projects to be a low-scoring game, and I give Minnesota a chance to keep it close and pull off the upset.

Hill’s Pick: Minnesota +5.5 (+200)

“He can’t keep getting away with this” is a famous line from Jesse Pinkman’s character in “Breaking Bad.” 

While Pinkman was referring to his partner in crime, Walter White, he could have just as easily been describing Bo Nix and the Broncos, who continue to overcome long stretches of uninspiring play to pull off improbable comeback victories. 

Three times this season, the Broncos have won games in which they trailed by double-digits in the fourth quarter, displaying incredible resilience, but also, some good fortune in securing all of these close wins. While the Panthers are banged-up in the secondary, the Broncos don’t have the prolific passing attack to exploit that weakness. 

The Panthers are also at home coming off of two straight losses, and have extra rest after playing on Thursday night in Week 8.  

I’ll take the underdog Panthers to pull off the mini-upset.

Hill’s Pick: Panthers +3, +130 ML

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Oregon vs. Ohio State may not be the season’s marquee matchup, but that doesn’t mean Dan Lanning’s game plan against Jeremiah Smith will be any easier.

The Ducks head back to Columbus to face the No. 11 Buckeyes. Although 5-3 Oregon is out of College Football Playoff contention, and Ohio State suffered its second loss to USC in Week 9, the talent matchup on the field will still be must-watch football.

Smith is arguably the best wide receiver in college football this season, and has amassed multiple career milestones before the season’s halfway mark. In a Week 5 win over Iowa, Smith clinched the Buckeyes’ wide receiver ‘triple crown,’ securing the program’s lead in receiving touchdowns, receiving yards and receptions. In addition to his program records, he’s also the Big Ten all-time leader in receiving touchdowns with 40.

With this exceptional résumé in mind ahead of Week 10, Lanning made his thoughts clear on what Smith brings to the table against the Ducks.

“You have to know where he’s at at all times; he’s dynamic in every phase. I think our players are excited to take on that challenge. But defending a guy like him is a real challenge,” Lanning said.

Despite the Buckeyes’ second loss, Smith has still produced even without star quarterback Julian Sayin.

Sayin injured his throwing arm in the Buckeyes’ win over Indiana, and it was announced that he’d be out indefinitely. A big part of what highlighted Smith’s talent was his connection with Sayin throughout the season and the chemistry the duo built in their second season together. However, even with backup quarterback Luke Fahey under center, Smith’s talent should be enough to guide the Buckeyes to a successful end of the regular season.

As for Smith’s numbers through eight regular season games, he leads the Big Ten in receiving yards with 1,067, with Indiana’s Charlie Becker trailing with 865, 13 touchdowns, and 62 receptions.

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Beyond preparing the Ducks’ defense to face someone as dynamic as Smith, Lanning also emphasized the level Smith has been playing at for the last two seasons.

“He’s certainly pro-ready. I think anybody that’s played against him already would tell you that he probably was two years ago, right? So he certainly is now,” Lanning said.

Smith’s 2026 campaign has earned him Heisman Trophy buzz and a No. 1 overall selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, if he declares. Now, Smith and the Buckeyes host the Ducks as they avoid a third loss of the season and keep their CFP hopes alive.

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LUMEN FIELD (Seattle) — After a masterful opening script, an 80-yard touchdown drive that took 8:32 off the clock in 17 plays, the Bears’ offense sat on the visitor’s sideline at Lumen Field, hyped by what had just transpired. The broadcast cameras caught Caleb Williams delivering a fiery message to his teammates.

“I don’t give a f— who they are!”   

At the podium post game, Williams said he didn’t remember saying that. But that drive, that overall offensive performance, how the defense flew around and what special teams displayed — all three phases — showed that the Bears embodied those words. 

They didn’t care that the Seahawks were the defending Super Bowl champion, with an elite defense and the world’s best wide receiver, playing at home in primetime. The Bears came to Seattle and punched the Seahawks in the mouth, winning 34-17 Monday night at Lumen Field.

“That’s who we want to be known as,” Williams said. “When we come in, we’re also a force to be reckoned with.”

In the process, the Bears signaled their arrival as a top Super Bowl contender. 

Caleb Williams was fired up during and after the Bears’ win over the Seahawks in Seattle on Monday. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Chicago was already in the conversation as one of the league’s best teams, of course. The continued development of Williams under head coach/playcaller Ben Johnson coupled with a top-10 defense in both yardage and points allowed did that for the Bears. But on Monday night, Chicago’s offense showed that it can overwhelm even the league’s best defenses. As for the Chicago defense, All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, acquired via a blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans just days ago, unlocks new heights for the unit. 

In addition to the 6-1 San Francisco 49ers, the 6-2 Bears now look like the team to beat in the NFC. 

“People are going to talk, people are going to say things and whatever. But this was a good test for us to know where we’re at,” tight end Colston Loveland told me, “and confirm that we’re a good team and can compete with anyone.”

Chicago dominated time of possession, controlling the ball for 35:03 of 60 minutes. Their 17-play touchdown drive to start the game marked the first time the Seahawks had allowed an opening-possession TD in their past 26 games, including the playoffs, according to NFL on FOX research. The Bears also had a 10-play touchdown drive in the third quarter. 

Chicago was highly efficient on early downs, putting Seattle’s defense at a disadvantage most of the night. The Bears had eight completions of at least 11 yards on first or second down. Half of those went for 20-plus yards — three to Rome Odunze, one to Luther Burden. They also went 4-for-4 in the red zone and converted their lone fourth-down attempt, a fourth-and-1 play from their own 44 on their first possession. 

Midway through the fourth quarter, veteran wide receiver Kalif Raymond caught a screen pass on third-and-9 and took it 39 yards to set up the second of running back D’Andre Swift’s three rushing touchdowns, which was a back-breaker for Seattle’s defense. That turned a three-point game into a 10-point lead for Chicago at 27-17. 

The Bears’ 34 points marked the most points scored on the Seahawks since Week 16 of last season. 

“People can call it a statement, but it’s just going out there and playing our style of football,” Odunze said. 

Defensively, Simmons was everything Chicago was hoping for — and his impact was felt immediately. He recorded his first sack as a Bear in the first quarter. He followed that with a six-yard tackle for loss in the second period. Late in the fourth quarter, he broke up a third-down pass by Sam Darnold intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 

But it wasn’t just about the plays Simmons made himself. It was about how his presence forced the Seahawks to react. He faced a team-high 13 double-teams, per Next Gen Stats. In the third quarter, one of them gave defensive end Montez Sweat a one-on-one with Seahawks right tackle Abe Lucas, who he beat for the sack. 

“A lot of people don’t know how smart he is and what he brings to us,” said Bears defensive lineman James Lynch, who was Simmons’ teammate for two seasons with the Titans. “What he sees and what he’s feeling, all that stuff.” 

That’s the Simmons effect. His addition means defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can lean on the four-man rush in a way that he hasn’t been able to consistently. Everyone on the Bears’ defense gets more playmaking opportunities and favorable matchups because of Simmons, and Monday was just the start. Chicago recorded three sacks, six quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, six passes defensed and an interception.

Everything that Simmons has been doing in Tennessee for years without attention — high motor play with an elite impact in both the run and pass game — is now at center stage and for Chicago’s benefit. He finished his Bears debut with six tackles (two for loss), a sack and a pass breakup.

During the 48 plays Simmons was on the field, the Bears’ defense allowed just 3.0 yards per play and recorded five tackles for loss, according to Next Gen Stats. On the eight plays he was off the field, the Bears allowed 13.3 yards per play. 

“Our guys were excited the moment they heard the news we were bringing him on, and he’s fit right in,” Johnson said. “We have a high-character locker room and he’s that himself. You can feel his presence out there, whether it’s during the play or even after the play. You can feel him talk a little smack as well, which I think elevates everybody around him. I thought he played outstanding.

“His impact was profound.”

In addition to the offensive and defensive dominance, the Bears’ special teams unit was excellent in Seattle as well. Defensive lineman Austin Booker blocked kicker Jason Myers’ 33-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter. Myers missed an extra point right before halftime as well. 

After beating the Patriots and Seahawks — last year’s Super Bowl teams — in consecutive weeks, the Bears exude supreme confidence right now. 

“We believe in each other,” Williams said. “It’s not just offense. We wouldn’t have this belief without the defense. We wouldn’t have this belief without the special teams. We know we have each other’s back. We work our tail off as a team. The details, how detailed we are. It’s really cool to see those things come to life in big moments and just throughout the game, so that’s who we are.”

Who are these Bears? 

They’re a team on the shortlist for the NFL’s top Super Bowl contenders.

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