Windy City Wrap Up: Bears Fall to 0-2, Cubs Continue Playoff Push

In a difficult week for Chicago sports fans, the Bears opened their season 0-2, former Cubs star Anthony Rizzo retired as the team prevailed in two different series and hopes remained low for White Sox and Blackhawks fans. 

The Bears faced the Minnesota Vikings in their season opener Sept. 8, falling to the Vikings 27-24. 

At the end of the third quarter, Bears’ cornerback Nahshon Wright intercepted a pass attempt from Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy and completed a 74-yard return for a Bears touchdown. The feat put Chicago ahead 17-6.

In quick succession, the Vikings scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, swinging the score to 27-17 in favor of the Vikings. 

The Bears rallied once again and were able to score another touchdown, with quarterback Caleb Williams connecting with wide receiver Rome Odunze for a one-yard touchdown pass, resulting in a final score of 27-24 for the Vikings.

Bears fans were left disappointed again Sept. 14 with a blowout loss to the Detroit Lions, a final score of 52-21. 

The Lions came out fast, scoring a touchdown within the first two minutes of the game.  Chicago came out just as fast, responding with a touchdown of their own on a 28-yard connection between Williams and Odunze. 

Just before the end of the first quarter, the Lions were able to get to the Bears’ endzone once more, widening their lead to 14-7. The second quarter didn’t see much action until the very end, where three touchdowns were scored in a span of five minutes.

Jared Goff, quarterback for the Lions, connected with tight end Brock Wright for an eight-yard touchdown pass. The Bears quickly responded with another score by Odunze. Just before the end of the half, Goff marched down the field to complete another seven points for the Lions on a pass to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, leaving the score at 28-14.

In the third quarter, Detroit continued widening the gap to 38-14 with no response from the Bears. The fourth quarter was much of the same. After the Lions scored a touchdown, running back D’Andre Swift and the Bears responded with a touchdown of their own. Goff and Brown connected once again to finish off the game with a final score of 52-21.

Chicago sports had more luck on the diamond this week as the Chicago Cubs took on the Tampa Bay Rays and the Atlanta Braves.

The Cubs won five of their last six games, winning two of three against the Braves and sweeping the Rays. The Cubs seem to have recovered from their mid-season slump as they fight their way back up the rankings in the National League Central Division, chasing after the Milwaukee Brewers, who remain in first place. 

Despite their solid performance, attention was fixated on the stands at Wrigley Field Sept. 13 as former Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo took to the stands to support the team, which he won the World Series with in 2016. Rizzo announced his retirement from baseball Sept. 10 and came back to Chicago to celebrate in the city where he won his first and only pennant. 

The White Sox found less success this week as they took on the Tampa Bay Rays, winning one of their three games. The White Sox currently sit at the bottom of their division and are already eliminated from playoff contention.

Finally, the Blackhawks will make their preseason debut Sept. 23 against rival Detroit Red Wings. The Blackhawks hope to avenge their 4-1 loss from the last time they faced the Red Wings, with captain Nick Foligno and young sensation Connor Bedard leading the way.

Looking ahead to next week, the Bears take on the Dallas Cowboys Sept. 21 at 3:25 p.m. while the Cubs face the Pirates this week in Pittsburgh and the White Sox take on the Orioles at home.