Happy New Year: Week 17, Bears at Vikings Pre-Party Open Thread

by Steven Schweickert on Jan 1, 2012 9:30 AM CST in Game Preview

First off, a very Happy New Year to you and yours.

Today's game features two teams that might be grateful it's a new year. The Bears closed out 2011 on a five-game losing streak, while the Vikings have been bad bordering on miserable the entire season. An individual win in this season might not do much for the current NFL standings (as both teams are out of the playoff chase), but it'll feel good to close out the year with a win.

The Bears season's downfall is well documented, between the injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, subsequent events of the Hanie Escapades, Tebowing and the Broncos' defense, and culminating in a recent trip to Lambeau that officially finished off the thread that was the Bears' playoff chances. They'll look to finish the season on a high note as they take on a Vikings team that will be starting Christian Ponder today, but will be without their biggest playmaker in Adrian Peterson.

Gameday related linkage and other stuffs after the jump.

The ESPNChicago preview and the Sun-Times preview, for your additional previewing pleasure.

The Bears had a rough end to 2011, but should be in fine shape for 2012.

Josh McCown might have a future as a coach.

Matt Bowen talks game-techie to us, and we like it.

McCown no stranger to dunking, proves perhaps white men can jump. Also, discusses why he didn't cut it in the NFL before.

Dave Toub says Corey Graham's Pro-Bowl nod is overdue. Also fails to return library book on time.

Brad Biggs looks at four offseason questions.

Marshawn Lynch got fined 10K for his Skittles Shoes. Somewhere, Earl Bennett is nodding as DJ Moore and Jay Cutler rub their neck and shoulder/arm, respectively.

Benny Sapp was charged with fifth degree assault and reckless driving at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

Gameday procedures for today, the first game thread will pop at game time, with each quarter showing up as appropriate. Recap will be up shortly after, as will the late game thread and night game thread as those games begin.

So unfortunately for the final time in the 2011-2012 season... Bear Down!!

Chicago Bears Fight Song (via scifiradioguy)

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Hard to believe it's

the end of the regular season already….just seems to have flown by..

Funny that 6 months ago, we weren’t even sure there would BE a season….

by David in Maine on Jan 1, 2012 9:57 AM CST reply actions

Happy New Year Everyone

I hope this is a fun game today, even though it really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. I’d like to see Enderle take a quarters worth of snaps to see what the kid can do.

"And furthermore, I think Carthage must be destroyed."

by TheotherDane on Jan 1, 2012 10:07 AM CST reply actions

Hope the Bears can end this season strong

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 1, 2012 10:07 AM CST reply actions

No look at Enderle today either....

ESPNChiBears Dickerson and Wright
Bears inactives: Enderle, Barber, Wrotto, Horn, A. Smith, Miller and Corey Wootton. JD
45 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply

by David in Maine on Jan 1, 2012 10:43 AM CST reply actions

Enderle=Wasted draft pick?

MattBowen41 Matt Bowen
By making QB Nathan Enderle inactive today, the #Bears will have no game tape to evaluate the rookie.
6 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

by David in Maine on Jan 1, 2012 11:04 AM CST up reply actions