The Bears Den: December 25, 2012 - Week 17 News and Notes

Brad Biggs's 10 thoughts - One analyst and former NFL O-lineman believes the Bears can rebuild the line on the fly, without a series of first-round draft picks.

Peter King's MMQB - Megatron the headliner, but history was made all over in Week 16.

Team report - Sunday's victory over the Cardinals was accomplished without much input from the passing game, but by now that should be something with which the Bears are familiar.

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Bears-Cardinals

Laurence Holmes: 24 hours later - Phil Emery watched the game from the sidelines. It’s not unheard of for a GM to watch on the field, but usually they are in the press box watching the game. Emery is looking at how everything works before deciding on the future of Lovie Smith and his staff.

Dan Pompei's game grades - What stood out about the Bears' performance on Sunday against the Cardinals is the pass protection held up both in terms of recognition and execution against an aggressive, accomplished blitzing team.

PFF's 3 performances of note - Peppers, Briggs and Urlacher Roach scored well. Cardinals to unveil their new starting QB: J. Machine.

[Video] Postgame analysis - David Haugh and Fred Mitchell break down the Bears' win against Arizona and the playoff implications.

Free Head Exam: Chicago Bears - Kevin Seifert's three issues that merit further examination. Can Carimi re-establish himself at RT?

View from the press box - Dionne Miller thinks people sleep in a hyper-barrack chamber to speed recovery from injury.

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Other Bears news

NFC North playoff scenarios - Kevin Seifert looks at what has to happen for the Vikings or the Bears to make it to the postseason.

[Video] Jay Cutler's Bears mailbag - Jay Cutler talks about the scenarios for the Bears to get into the playoffs, and how he'll have to root for the Packers next week. [Part 2]

Team notes - Mark Potash: Cutler hopes to avoid having a fourth OC in his fifth season with the Bears next year; Podlesh punting well.

Lovie hopes for healthy squad vs. Lions - Jon Greenberg: "Henry Melton, Brian Urlacher, Jonathan Scott, some of those players, we'll be closer to getting some of those back," Smith said. "We'll need everybody this week."

Bears waive Sanzenbacher: A bad sign for Conte, Forte? - Moon Mullin: Given how quickly the Bears released Dane Sanzenbacher after injuries to Forte and Conte, it could say something about the severity of those potential setbacks.

Anthony Walters next man up for Bears’ battered secondary - Adam L. Jahns: Walters, a key contributor on special teams, took 33 snaps against the Cardinals, 45 percent of the Bears’ defensive plays.

Team notes - Brad Biggs: The Bears are facing more injuries as they gear up for a must-win season finale at Detroit with a playoff berth at stake.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Injuries at safety and RB will force Bears to consider adding depth at one or both of those positions this week; plus other team news.

Know thy enemy - Dan Pompei takes a look ahead to the Lions.

Bears’ offense could get boost it needs — from Lions’ defense - Sean Jensen: During the Lions’ current seven-game losing streak, they’ve given up an average of 31.8 points per game.

Mannelly inks one-year extension through 2013 - Larry Mayer: Patrick Mannelly, the longest tenured player in Bears history, will return for a 16th season after signing a one-year contract extension through 2013 on Monday.

Mannelly wants to keep snapping 'until they say I can't' - Brad Biggs: The Bears locked in a key member of the kicking team for the 2013 season, signing long snapper Patrick Mannelly to a one-year contract extension Monday.

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Polish sausage

NFP Sunday Blitz - Dan Pompei: What to do when home field is clinched; Executive of the Year race; notes on Wayne, Gates and more.

Matt Bowen: The Players Page - Russell Wilson continues to impress; notes on Christian Ponder, the Giants and more.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert with a few thoughts following the 55-7 blowout of the Titans. Game report - Packers 55, Titans 7. PFF's 3 performances of note - The Packers' aerial attack is loaded with weapons.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Kevin Seifert's Free Head Exam: Randall Cobb's emergence as the Packers' leading receiver could well influence an offseason plan to find another returner for 2013.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Kevin Seifert's thoughts in the wake of the unexpected 23-6 win over the Texans. Game report - Vikings 23, Texans 6. PFF's 3 performances of note - Purple defense had a good day; mixed bag on OL.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Kevin Seifert's Free Head Exam: The Vikings are one of the top defenses in hitting opposing runners in the backfield.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Seifert's thoughts on the 31-18 loss to the Falcons. Game report - Falcons 31, Lions 18. PFF's 3 performances of note - Record for Megatron; ineffective Lions edge rushers.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Seifert's Free Head Exam: Stefan Logan's inexplicable kick return brainlocks and the 23-turnover swing from last season fit the undisciplined narrative that they seem to object to.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Drew Sharp: Lions' record diminishes Calvin Johnson's record-setting season. Anwar S. Richardson disagrees, and here's why.

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