The Bears Den: December 06, 2012 - Week 14 News and Notes

Bears offense feels Urlacher injury - Steve Rosenbloom: Brian Urlacher injury, great offensive hopes -- isn't this where the Bears started?

No pity party for banged-up Bears defense - Jim Miller: The Bears are hurting on defense, but they set the team up to combat injuries associating with an aging core of players.

Team report - Sunday would be a good time for the offense to start helping an aging defense that might not be able to win games single-handedly.

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Bears-Vikings

Game preview - Though the Bears have won six straight over Minnesota (6-6), which has lost two straight and four of five, they expect to face a serious challenge against AP and a Vikings squad that is 5-1 at home.

Bears pass protectors face difficult test - Larry Mayer: The Bears allowed only one sack in their 28-10 win over the Vikings Nov. 25 at Soldier Field, but protecting Jay Cutler Sunday in the Metrodome figures to be a much tougher task.

OL will remain unchanged - Brad Biggs: Chris Spencer returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis, but he’s not likely to crack the lineup.

Geno Hayes ready for his role in Urlacher's absence - Brad Biggs: Geno Hayes has been in this position before, asked to help fill in to replace a star linebacker in a Cover-Two defense.

Hayes ready for 'opportunity' vs. Vikings - Michael C. Wright: Playing in Roach's spot during the preseason, Hayes struggled initially but gradually earned the staff's trust.

Injuries no excuse for Bears - Brad Biggs: Bears have been fortunate this season but face the prospect of having four starters miss Sunday's game with the Vikings.

[Video] Kip Lewis & Moon Mullin - Talking about the Bears' injuries and how the Bears will adjust.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Bears can make life miserable for Allen for cheap shot — and do it legally to suit their goals.

Know thy enemy - Moon Mullin: Jared Allen, whose hit on Lance Louis knocked the guard out for the season Nov. 25, isn't worried about the Bears taking shots at him this weekend.

Bears' goal is to block Allen, not retaliate - Michael C. Wright: Mike Tice wants to "mix it up" against Allen, schematically, but anything else beyond what takes place over the course of a normal play is "not how you play the game," he stressed.

Team news - Vaughn McClure - Hayden ready for starting assignment; WR health improving; other injury news.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Defense will be behind 8-ball without Urlacher; offense slowly improving on 3rd downs; injury news.

Injury report - Brad Biggs: Alshon Jeffery and Devin Hester returned to practice on Wednesday; Bennett and Marshall were out.

Injury report - Moon Mullin: Brian Urlacher has been ruled out of Sunday's game with the Vikings, but Alshon Jeffery returned in a limited role for the Bears. Also, Vikings injury news.

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Other Bears news

Larry and Lovie - In his weekly Q&A with ChicagoBears.com, Lovie Smith discusses Sunday's game against the Vikings, the OL and the defense rebounding after last weekend's overtime loss to the Seahawks.

Jay Cutler: Offense must step up with Urlacher out - Vaughn McClure: Bears QB understands the importance of picking it up on offense in case the defense slides without #54.

If Bears want to keep Urlacher, they better win without him - David Haugh: If team fails to make the playoffs again, expect Lovie Smith and his prized MLB to be gone next season.

And now what for Brian Urlacher, Bears? - Mike Imrem: Sentimentality says Urlacher has earned the right to leave Chicago when he wants. Reality says the Bears will decide his fate.

DeCicco happy to be back with Bears - Michael C. Wright: Special teams standout always wanted to return to the team that took a shot on him in 2011 as an undrafted free agent.

Dan Pompei's Bears mailbag - Q&A on everything from the loss of Urlacher to Roach's potential to the Peppers mystery.

[Video] View from the Moon - MM weighs in on Lovie Smith's future.

Matt Bowen's playbook - Why did Wilson, Lynch produce in OT? Film Study: Seahawks 'Read Option' vs. Bears. (The flipside of Ronkowski's excellent article here.)

Is the postseason a possibility for the Bears? - Maggie Hendricks thinks it will all come down to the last game of the season, Chicago at Detroit.

[Video] Big Bear - Tim Jennings defines the term 'playing big' - measured not only by his productivity on the field, but also by the toughness that has gotten him there.

NFC North third quarter Stock Watch - Kevin Seifert's take on weeks 9-12.

ProFootballFocus: 32 Teams, 32 Observations - While Charles Tillman has become a DPOTY candidate for his forced fumbles, he has also become a better tackler in general.

Dionne Miller's `Happenings at Halas' - December 5: There was no sign of Brian Urlacher at practice today as the Bears moved indoors to prepare for a trip to Minnesota.

Let's hope Urlacher will be back to climbing buildings by the postseason, like in this t-shirt design courtesy of Sackman.

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Polish sausage

Matt Bowen's playbook - How did RG3, Redskins game plan Giants' Cover 2? All-22 breakdown of Washington's play action series.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Kevin Seifert: Before the news broke that he was going on season-ending IR, Percy Harvin's well-earned reputation of erratic behavior prompted a number of direct questions Wednesday that Leslie Frazier clearly did not want to answer. What next?

Worst. Holiday. Gift. Ever. - Detroit Lions calendar has Titus Young on the cover and fired CB Aaron Berry among its pictures, as well as a section all about the Lions' Super Bowl history..... (cover)

Lester's guest video week - "Middle school Lester was a big fan of this one." (Yes, but did you have the hair? - Everyone on WCG)