The Bears Den: October 16, 2012 - Week 7 News and Notes

Upgraded Bears O-line producing early results over 2011 - Moon Mullin: The Bears have three different members on this year's OL and so far the much-maligned unit is producing positive results in 2012.

Bears hope to avoid chippy play against the Lions - Mark Potash: Defiant Lions coach Jim Schwartz likes his team to play on the edge. Lovie Smith feels coaching is more productive.

ESPN Chicago's 50 Greatest Bears - Bears. Ditka. No polish sausage.

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Bears-Lions

Bears prepping for intense battle with Lions - Larry Mayer: The Bears will face the Lions for the first time since a 37-13 rout of Detroit last Nov. 13 at Soldier Field deteriorated into a chippy game.

Bears, Lions getting ready to rumble - Jeff Dickerson: It might not be on the level of Bears vs. Packers, but the rivalry between the Bears and Lions has become increasingly hostile the last couple of years.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Seifert: If Lions RB Jahvid Best isn't ready to resume his playing career one full year after his most recent concussion, will he ever?

Lions' next opponent: Scouting the Chicago Bears - Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press is bad. Come back, Maggie Hendricks. All is forgiven, Dionne Miller.

[Video] CTL game preview - The CTL panel look ahead to Bears-Lions and its implications for the NFCN.

Lions' STs units bracing for Hester, Bears - Brad Biggs: Detroit’s 2-3 record would be significantly better had the failures of coverage units not crippled the team in losses to the Titans and Vikings.

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Other Bears news

Bears gain sole possession of first place - Larry Mayer's roundup of the weekend's NFCN results.

Bears think NFC North will be battleground - Jesse Rogers: The NFC North looks to be as tough as any division in the NFL this season.

Bears control their own destiny - Kip Lewis: Many "experts" predicted the Packers and Lions as the favorites to win the NFC North. Now, after six weeks, the Bears stand alone atop the division and control their own destiny.

Bears lead division, but NFC North presents tough test - Adam L. Jahns: What happended Sunday told the Bears the NFC North might be the best division in the NFL.

Bell waived, Bears add TE Eldridge - Moon Mullin: With concerns over rookie Evan Rodriguez' status mounting, the Bears waived Kahlil Bell and added TE Brody Eldridge.

Bennett on mend, Best not cleared to return - Larry Mayer with team and injury news ahead of Bears-Lions.

Bennett, Rodriguez practice on Monday - Michael C. Wright: Rodriguez ran pass routes and didn't appear to be suffering any ill effects from the sprained left MCL; Bennett also caught passes and appeared to be fully healthy.

Earl Bennett's return well-timed in wake of Alshon Jeffery injury - Brad Biggs: Said his hand felt good after a crisp 75-minute practice Monday.

Bears will miss Jeffery, but Bennett will ‘move right in’ - Lovie Smith expects his Bears to be refreshed and ready to go against the Lions after coming off their bye this weekend.

Team notes - Adam L. Jahns: Blake Constanzo's thumb surgery, TE Brody Eldridge can also play FB, Bennett and Rodriguez both expected to be active v. the Lions.

Team news - Vaughn McClure: Fullback Evan Rodriguez returned to practice Monday; new TE Brody Eldridge is more than willing to compete at FB; more team notes.

Off after off weeks? Not under Lovie - Moon Mullin: The Bears have won five of their last six games coming off a bye week, although the only loss came to Detroit in 2007.

[Video] Urlacher talks Bears - #54 joins Lou Canellis to talk Bears at 4-1, Briggs' HOF chances, and which Bear is best at ping pong.

[Video] Fox Chicago Bear Down - Lou Canelli and Hub discuss the Bears during the bye week.

Brad Biggs talks Bears - Warns the Packers are still a threat, but the Bears are atop the division.

Bye week stars: Robbie Gould - Maggie Hendricks appreciates #9 more after watching other kickers struggle.

Tillman gives back with generous donation - Larry Mayer: Charles Tillman, who grew up in a military family, returned home to Fort Hood, Texas, last Thursday to make a special delivery to the Darnall Army Medical Center.

Brandon Marshall visits Piccolo for Youth Football - The Bears star is using his time in Chicago to raise awareness for his cause, and to give back to the children.

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Everything else

Matt Bowen's playbook - Want to beat Brady? Then you have to limit the Patriots' top route concept.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - PFF's Three Performances of Note: CB Antoine Winfield stood out on defense, Percy Harvin on offense. Ponder had some costly mistakes.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Kevin Seifert's Free Head Exam: The Vikings' defense hasn't fared well against QBs who can break the pocket, and what's going on with Jerome Simpson?

Know thy enemy: Packers - PFF's Three Performances of Note: James Jones chemistry with Rodgers, Finley's lack of chemistry with Rodgers, and have the Packers unearthed a rookie star in the secondary?

Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert's Free Head Exam: Three issues to consider following their SNF win over the Texans.

Know thy enemy: Lions - PFF's Three Performances of Note: DTs Suh and Fairley disruptive (and not just to the peace), Good Stafford/Bad Stafford, and the Louis Delmas' effect.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Seifert's Free Head Exam: The impact of safety Louis Delmas on the Lions' defense and STs, and the Lions' passing game improvement in Q4.

Ex-Bear Chris Harris signs with Jacksonville - Trivia: the former Bear's Jaguars-themed cover picture on Facebook was created by none other than our very own David Taylor...

NFL.com's Best of the Week 6 Cheerleaders - I may have found the future Mrs Spongie!

Camptown ladies sing this song, doo dah...