The Bears Den: October 01, 2012 - Week 4 News and Notes

Bears stumbling on their way downfield - Kevin Seifert: The Bears have fallen short in fielding the kind of explosive offense they envisioned after making Brandon Marshall the centerpiece of an offseason overhaul. It hasn't been for lack of trying.

Three games in, Bears still searching for an identity - Moon Mullin: Are the Bears a good 2-1 team that's had some blips, or a bad 2-1 team that will only see flashes of brilliance?

Team report - This is normally the USA Today team report, except either they've stopped carrying it or they've managed to bury it in their new-look site revamp.

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Bears-Cowboys previews (check back for updates through the day)

Bears hope to add to Monday night success - Larry Mayer: Smith is the only Bears coach who has had success on MNF. Larry then goes on to mention Ditka in the same sentence as Wanny and Dick Jauron...

Game preview - Michael C. Wright breaks down the Bears' matchup with the Cowboys.

Team news - Mark Potash: Matt Forte questionable for Monday; injury report; how Marshall fares against the Cowboys' top CB.

Romo's mobility presents a challenge - Larry Mayer: Bears know they'll need a relentless pass rush against Cowboys QB Tony Romo, who excels at keeping plays alive with his feet.

[Video] Game preview - Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico preview Bears at Cowboys, 8:30pm ET.

Bears can take much from 2010 win over Cowboys - Mark Potash: Cutler was sacked twice and hit five times in seven pass plays on the Bears’ first three possessions, but the Bears found a way to survive and engineer a 27-20 come-from-behind victory.

Brad Biggs' Four downs - Four thoughts to take going into tonight's game.

Keeping Cutler upright: Simple Bears mission statement vs. Dallas - Moon Mullin: When he thinks he’s being pressured, Cutler throws off his back foot, inaccurately and arguably too often for Brandon Marshall.

Moon Mullin's scouting report: Offense - A lot will depend on Mike Tice's playcalling and how many times the Bears run the ball.

Moon Mullin's scouting report: Defense - Some of the same issues plague both the Cowboys and Bears offense.

Know thy enemy - Joe Cowley: Emergence of RB DeMarco Murray has given Cowboys’ offense another weapon.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Cowboys will look for the deep pass, but the Bears can foil the eight-man protection if Brian Urlacher doesn't bite on the run fake and the secondary does its job.

ProFootballFocus: 3 things to focus on - Can the bright lights of MNF bring out the best in two highly talented QBs who've struggled to hit any great heights this year?

Three Bears - Brad Biggs on Izzy, Hester and McClellin.

It might shock fans, but Lovie’s Bears are strong on MNF - Mark Potash: The image of Cutler running for his life, getting sacked nine times in a half and throwing five interceptions in prime-time games is so strong that it’s hard to believe the Bears are 7-2 on MNF under Lovie Smith. We call that the availability heuristic.

Jay Cutler, Tony Romo not exactly mirror images - Dan Pompei: Cutler and Romo often are portrayed as the same QB in a different uniform. But if you look behind the face masks, they don't have as much in common as you might think.

Odd similarities between QBs Cutler, Romo - Dan Pompei: Neither could resurrect the career of WR Roy Williams.

Will Cutler face off with Rob Ryan again? - Jeff Dickerson: Cutler and Ryan from got into a spirited verbal sparing match with each other at Solider Field in 2009 when Ryan served as the Browns' DC.

Tribune writers pick 'em: Bears at Cowboys - Five of nine in favour of the Bears. No word on whether Seven of Nine watches gridiron.

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Updates

Where are the Bears? Should be 3-1 after Monday - Moon Mullin: Romo has the ability to lift his team, or lead it to underachievement. The Bears are winning with a defense that is swarming QBs and the Dallas offensive line is struggling.

If Bears want to prove doubters wrong, tonight is a must-win - Kip Lewis: Would then most likely enter their bye week at 4-1, barring a huge stumble in Jacksonville on Sunday.

Hey, look! An offensive line worse than the Bears' - Rosendoom: The Dallas OL is bad, while the Bears DL is scary. The Bears’ OL is bad, while the Cowboys DL is scary. The forecast for Monday night is ugly.

Bears set to battle Cowboys in Dallas - Larry Mayer with some facts and figures ahead of the game.

Nuts & Bolts: Bears vs. Cowboys - Michael C. Wright with the lowdown on the two teams.

Matt Forte a game-time call - Lovie speaks! Sounds excited on [Audio].

CBSChicago expert picks - Majority not hopeful that the Bears can handle the Cowboys' pass rush.

Pre-Gamer: Bears vs. Cowboys - Maggie Hendricks with everything you need to know about tonight's clash.

[Video] Monday Night Preview - J.J. Stokes and Curtis Conway preview Bears-Cowboys.

Tony Romo, Jay Cutler will determine Bears-Cowboys battle - NFL.com's Chad Reuter: It's tough to imagine either squad scoring more than 20 points without the help of defense or special teams. Luckily for us, Chad, the Bears' D and STs aren't too shabby in that regard.

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Other Bears news

TE Evan Rodriguez is playing more FB these days - Mark Potash: The coaching staff still has plans to use Rodriguez as a pass-catching, downfield threat. But not yet.

WR coach Darryl Drake OK with Hester asking for ball - Jeff Dickerson: Had career-highs of 57 receptions for 757 yards in 2009, but his catches have dropped to 40 and 26 the past two seasons.

Devin Hester wants more touches - WR coach Darryl Drake: "We're going to keep sawing wood, keep trying to get better.'' Why not try the Jugs machine and working on his route-running instead, Darryl? Just sayin'.

[Video] Urlacher on Cutler, Cowboys - Brian Urlacher discusses Jay Cutler's season and the Bears' Monday Night Football opponent.

Henry Melton's recent play? Pretty as a picture - Vaughn McClure: Has matured emotionally and developed considerably as a player since aftermath of DWI arrest in college taught him about life.

Dat Orkman keeps turning up on Bears radar - Dan Pompei: Have the Bears been guilty of continually underestimating Orton? With his big arm and defense-friendly, low-risk style, he might have been perfect for this team and this city.

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Everything else

Know thy enemy - Kevin Seifert: The Packers salvaged their season with a wild 28-27 victory over the still-winless Saints.

Know thy enemies - Kevin Seifert: After a 20-13 victory over the Lions at Ford Field, the Vikings are 3-1 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC North, pending the Bears' outcome Monday night at the Cowboys.

Matt Bowen's game notes - Matt Bowen's thoughts on Rodgers, Eagles' Asomugha, 49ers, Manning, Lions' special teams, Texans' D and more.

[Video] Matt Bowen's playbook - Breaking down Torrey Smith's TD catch vs. Cover 2 to beats the Browns.

Ex-Bear Meriweather takes out own WR - Involved in an odd collision in pregame warm-ups.

Andy Williams died last week, aged 84.