9/8 9AM: Bears Opening Week & PCA’s MVP Chase

Carmen and Jurko recap the Seahawks’ win over the Patriots as Drake Maye throws three fourth-quarter interceptions and Sam Darnold exits early with a hip injury. The guys discuss how Seattle protected Drew Lock, why September NFL football can look sloppy and what the Patriots’ mistakes revealed in the opener. They also preview Rams-49ers in Australia, digging into the travel, time-zone chaos and the Rams’ research-heavy approach to getting in and out quickly. A caller from Perth explains how the NFL has grown in Australia, which leads to a much bigger debate about time zones, daylight saving time and whether the entire world should just run on one clock. The hour closes with more Cubs-Brewers frustration, Bears Friday plans, Pauly Cheesecake’s Week 1 picks and an update on Darnold’s MRI.

Carmen and Jurko get ready for Bears-Panthers with Jeff Joniak, who joins to preview Week 1 and explain why early-season NFL football can look sloppy. Joniak discusses Xavion Thomas’ speed, what the Bears offense could look like under Ben Johnson and why Carolina’s size on both sides of the ball could create problems. He also breaks down Bryce Young, Rome Odunze’s calf injury and the strange setup for Rams-49ers in Australia. The guys continue reacting to the Cubs getting swept by the Brewers, Craig Counsell’s pressure and whether Milwaukee is simply running a better baseball operation. The Brunch Rush hits Sam Antonacci’s hard slide, Hagan Smith’s role for the White Sox, Dre Greenlaw wondering about Antarctica and the massive soccer crowd at Soldier Field.

Carmen and Jurko open the hour after a rough night for Chicago baseball as the Cubs get swept by the Brewers and the White Sox lose again. The guys react to Milwaukee continuing to separate itself from the Cubs, the Brewers’ player development edge and Craig Counsell’s decision to pinch-hit B.J. Murray instead of letting Carson Kelly face Abner Uribe with PCA waiting on deck. They also recap the NFL opener, where the Seahawks beat the Patriots in a sloppy September game that featured Drake Maye turnovers and plenty of early-season rust. Carmen and Jurko preview Rams-49ers in Australia and get into the strange travel, time-zone and local sports scene around the game in Melbourne. The hour also includes a bigger-picture debate about whether the Cubs’ front office needs to answer for why Milwaukee keeps finding and developing better pitching.

Carmen and Jurko make their full NFL season predictions with help from Jack and CKatt as the league officially kicks off. The guys pick division winners, wild-card teams, award winners and Super Bowl matchups, with predictions ranging from Texans-Rams to Bears-Ravens and even Broncos-Rams. They also discuss what part of the Bears defense could improve the most, especially after several additions along the interior defensive line. Courtney Cronin joins from Halas Hall to update Rome Odunze’s status, Ozzy Trapilo’s timeline, Braxton Jones starting at left tackle and Kyler Gordon working away from the team. The hour closes with Bears-Panthers broadcast details, Jurko’s bocce strategy and more reaction to the Bullfrog Spas hot tub video with Silvy, Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer.

Carmen and Jurko celebrate NFL opening day as the season finally arrives, even if it starts on a Wednesday. The guys discuss Patriots-Seahawks, 49ers-Rams in Australia, Aaron Donald not making the trip and yet another brutal 49ers injury after Alfred Collins tears his patellar tendon. The final List of Lists lands on Field Trip Destinations, leading to picks like Great America, the Museum of Science and Industry, Washington D.C., Old Chicago, Enchanted Forest, the Sears Tower, Disney and a Wisconsin cabin trip. Callers add Camp Whitcomb, the Board of Trade, Lambs Farm, the Little Red Schoolhouse, Broadway, Bozo Circus, Springfield and even a police academy trip to the morgue. The Brunch Rush hits Western Michigan’s appeal after the Michigan clock controversy, LSU’s NFL player roster issue, Dabo Swinney pushing back on criticism and Bill Barnwell leaving the Bears out of the playoffs.

Carmen and Jurko open NFL Day Zero with plenty of concern about both Chicago baseball teams after a rough Tuesday night. The White Sox get blown out by the Pirates as Sean Burke’s struggles continue, while Mune Murakami’s September slump adds another worry to the lineup. The Cubs lose another late lead to the Brewers, putting the spotlight back on Jacob Webb, Craig Counsell and a bullpen that does not look ready for October. Jesse Rogers joins to explain why the Cubs’ relief issues are real, why the White Sox may have to get creative with their playoff rotation and how Seiya Suzuki’s baserunning mistake hurt in Milwaukee. The hour also includes Elly De La Cruz’s ridiculous throw, Wrigleyville geography and more debate over where the Bears should eventually build their stadium.

Carmen and Jurko get ready for Bears-Panthers with Tom Thayer, who explains why Carolina’s size, offensive tackles, big receivers and Bryce Young’s development make Week 1 an interesting test. Thayer also discusses whether the Bears defense can survive early injuries and become at least average if the pass rush shows up. The guys then make some bold NFL predictions, including Miles Garrett chasing another 20-sack season and Ja’Marr Chase pushing for 2,000 receiving yards. Gabe Neitzel from ESPN Wisconsin joins to preview the Packers, including Matt LaFleur’s late-game issues, Micah Parsons’ timeline, Josh Jacobs’ legal situation and Green Bay’s revamped receiver room. The hour closes with live reaction to Ben Johnson confirming Braxton Jones will start at left tackle while Rome Odunze remains day-to-day with a new injury.

Carmen and Jurko continue Bears opening week by previewing Chicago’s matchup with Carolina and questioning how much respect the Panthers deserve after winning the weak NFC South. The guys look at Bryce Young, Dave Canales, Tet McMillan and why the Bears are favored on the road in Week 1. The List of Lists lands on Fictional Foods, leading to picks like the Krabby Patty, Brontosaurus burger, Everlasting Gobstopper, Scooby Snacks, Reptar Bars, Big Kahuna Burger and the Cuban sandwich from Chef. Callers add Buzz Beer, Soylent Green, Royale with Cheese, Hook’s imaginary feast, Popeye’s spinach, Duff Beer and the Big Mick. The Brunch Rush includes White Sox stadium talk, Lane Kiffin’s LSU theatrics, a possible Bears trade for Josh Sweat, and MLB expansion options. Players of the Weekend finishes the hour.

Carmen and Jurko are back after Labor Day weekend as Bears opening week finally arrives. The guys debate whether the Bears should still view themselves as hunters despite last year’s success, where they sit in the NFC North and why Ben Johnson will not let them get comfortable. They also check in on both baseball playoff races, with the White Sox holding a three-game AL Central lead and the Cubs trying to reclaim the top wild-card spot from Philadelphia. PCA’s unbelievable MVP season takes center stage as he reaches 41 home runs, chases a 40-40 season and draws comparisons to some of the best young Chicago sports seasons ever. The hour also includes reaction to the Michigan-Western Michigan clock controversy and callers celebrating winning PCA futures bets.

Jack McGrath and Peggy Kusinski are in for Carmen and Jurko as Jason McKie joins to discuss Bears practice in the heat, defensive injuries and the ongoing uncertainty around Kyler Gordon. McKie explains why the communication around Gordon’s return feels confusing and why the Bears need clarity from the player, trainers, coaches and representation. He also breaks down how Xavion Thomas could fit into Ben Johnson’s offense and why young defensive linemen like Jordan Vandenberg, Jamree Kromah, Daniel Hardy, Contavious Street and Neville Gallimore could surprise people. Peggy’s Keys celebrates Labor Day weekend by looking at how to survive some of the worst jobs imaginable. The hour wraps with Jack and Peggy discussing the excitement around Chicago’s young sports stars, PCA’s MVP season, Caleb Williams embracing the city and how much better the local sports scene feels than it did two years ago.