The Bears Den: October 22, 2012 - Week 7 News and Notes

Civil tone hovers over contentious rivalry - Michael C. Wright: While the teams claimed mutual respect, it's clear they're not fond of one another, a sentiment expected to manifest itself on the field like it has so many other times in recent meetings.

How good can 2012 Bears really be? - Moon Mullin: The 2012 Bears are a good team even without anything close to elite play from two of its three core phases.

Marshall can carry the load for Bears’ offense - Mark Potash: Marshall and Cutler might be the most intriguing pair of buddy-buddy teammates in the NFL, but it would work even better if Cutler had Marshall’s personality and Marshall had Cutler’s.

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Bears-Lions

Game preview - Mark Potash on what to expect in the running and passing game, and the key matchup of Gabe Carimi vs. Cliff Avril.

Game preview - Michael C. Wright breaks down the Bears-Lions matchup. Nuts & Bolts.

Game preview: Defense - Moon Mullin explains what the Bears will need to do to slow down the Lions on Monday night when Stafford, Megatron et al. have the ball.

Game preview: Offense - Moon Mullin: The Lions bring a depleted secondary into Soldier Field; the Bears must target that area and keep Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley at bay.

Coach's Big Decision - Michael C. Wright: Regardless of what transpires early on, Mike Tice can't stray from the team's commitment to running the ball.

Prime time to prove themselves - Jon Greenberg: The Bears' Monday Night Football contest against the Lions is finally a game worth getting excited about. Two teams that hate each other, archetypal NFC North defenses and the allure of history.

[Video] Game preview - Mike Ditka thinks the Bears' pass protection is the key for Chicago in their matchup against the Lions on Monday Night Football. Ditka talks. You listen.

ProFootballFocus: 3 things to focus on - Megatron v. Peanut, battle of the QBs, and is Urlacher a weak link in the Bears D?

Bears must be like Vikes to cover Calvin Johnson - Adam L. Jahns: Johnson’s least productive game this season came against the Vikings in Week 4. Like the Bears, the Vikings employ a cover-2 system.

Matt Bowen's playbook - Bears can contain Calvin Johnson, but it won't be easy for Major Wright to use the proper Cover-2 technique and stay on top of the Lions WR.

Tillman won't back down from Lions' Johnson - Vaughn McClure: Tillman's versatility gives the Bears defensive flexibility Monday. It wouldn't be a surprise if Marinelli inserts Kelvin Hayden when Johnson forces Tillman to follow him into the slot.

Know thy enemy - Kevin Seifert: Calvin Johnson has caught 60 percent of Stafford's throws that traveled 10 or more yards past the line of scrimmage. The problem for the Lions is there has been considerable falloff beyond Johnson.

[Video] Game preview - Jon Gruden previews the MNF matchup between the Lions and Bears.

[Video] Marshall, Cutler With Gruden - Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler talk about playing with their emotions on their sleeves and facing the Lions on Monday night.

Bears ready to roll for Monday night - Brad Biggs: The Bears have had great success on Mondays under Lovie Smith, posting an 8-2 record, including a victory at the beginning of the month in Dallas.

Brad Biggs' Four downs - Cutler has been better against the Lions than any other team in his career with a 105 QB rating, and Detroit has issues as two of its top three CBs are injured. Plus, more thoughts on the game.

Bears coach counting on 'Fourth Phase' - Larry Mayer: Lovie Smith is hoping that the Bears crowd at Soldier Field can make the same type of impact the Lions fans did last season at Ford Field. Plus, team news.

Know thy enemy - Dan Pompei on Lions MLB Stephen Tulloch: He struggles to cover man to man and is suited best to play zone. An athletic RB, a big TE or a shifty receiver can give him problems in coverage if an offense can create a mismatch.

Three Bears - Brad Biggs' Bears who are too hot, hot, and just right.

Know thy enemy - Adam L. Jahns: Suh and Fairley are coming off strong games in the Lions’ 26-23 overtime win against the Eagles last Sunday. The Lions’ DL accounted for three sacks and seven tackles for loss against Michael Vick.

Know thy enemy - Calvin Johnson discusses lack of touchdowns, flopping.

Game picks - Tribune writers unanimously pick the Bears to win. Even Rosendoom. Even writers in Detroit are less optimistic about their chances.

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Game-day updates

Bears set to host Lions in NFC North showdown - Larry Mayer with team news ahead of MNF.

Game preview - Moon Mullin previews the Bears' matchup against the Lions tonight and predicts which team will come out on top.

Detroit passes to set up run team, or do they? - The Lions may be ranked No. 2 in the league in terms of their offensive performance, but Jim Miller outlines three reasons why the Bears defense will bring them down.

Schwartz shares his take on Bears' success, praises Stafford - Jim Miller: For Schwartz, there is one reason why the Bears are winning. “Playing with a lead has forced teams to throw to catch up where they (Bears) have let their pass rushers go.”

Cutler, Bears 'turn' corner against Lions - The Bears have won three straight by an average margin of nearly 24 points per game. The two teams enter their Week 7 matchup on different ends of the standings.

[Video] Matt Bowen's playbook - Breaking down an offensive playcall concept for tonight's game.

Good Bears should beat bad, stupid Lions - Now, how did I look at the language in the title of this article and know it was going to be by Rosenmoan?

Game preview - Maggie Hendricks: Here's what you need to know before kickoff at Soldier Field tonight.

J.C. has at least one sports celebrity in his corner - Charles Barkley reportedly picked up the tab for Jay Cutler's dinner with Brandon Marshall.

Den > Bites - See for yourself.

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Other Bears news

"Balance" formula working for Bears' O - Moon Mullin: That offense is taking the shape it did the last two years when it made its biggest strides. The Bears are 4-0 in games when they put up at least 25 runs.

Bears defensive coordinator isn't one to crow - Dan Pompei: When Rod Marinelli was the Lions coach, his defense was derided but he stuck with his schemes that are working splendidly with the Bears personnel. Plus, team news and notes.

Shea McClellin in a rush to get better - Brad Biggs: Bears don't consider inexperience any reason expectations should be lower for the rookie DE. Plus, team notes and news.

No leap of faith for Brandon Marshall - Vaughn McClure: Whereas some receivers seem to make high-point catches look natural, Marshall continues to make a conscious effort to develop a skill not necessarily related to player's height or vertical leap. His improvement hasn't gone unnoticed.

Bears hoping for quick fix to offense's slow start - Dan Pompei: "Tice's unit has scored almost twice as many points after halftime." Unclear how, if at all, this is related to Devin Hester's package.

Rough past shapes Rachal's toughness on field - David Haugh: Guard has brought element of toughness that was missing from Bears OL.

Extra time off should help Brian Urlacher - Jeff Dickerson: When the Bears take the field Monday night it will be their first live game action since they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 15 days ago on October 7 before the bye week.

Toub patient, confident in Devin Hester - Jesse Rogers: Dave Toub is going to kill someone pour encourager les autres knows things will come if the Bears don’t panic.

Dionne Miller's 'Happenings at Halas' - October 21: Having difficulty remembering the last time they played? It was Jacksonville, 14 days ago…they won. Big.

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Everything else

Matt Bowen's game notes - Cruz stuns the Redskins, plus: Texans roll, Rodgers, Saints, Patriots, RGIII and more.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert's thoughts on the Packers' 30-20 win over the Rams. Aaron Rodgers was on fire, completing 20 of his first 22 passes.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Kevin Seifert's thoughts after the Vikings' 21-14 win at the Metrodome against the Cardinals. They are now 5-2 after overcoming a shaky 58-yard performance from QB Christian Ponder.

NFP Sunday Blitz - Dan Pompei: Say hello to your new Cleveland Browns; old dudes tearing it up and a spin around the NFL.

Because not everything associated with the motor city sucks.