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Quietly Making Noise - Robert Klemko: Josh McCown was out of the NFL and coaching high school football in North Carolina a year ago. Now he's gone from Jay Cutler’s backup to the man keeping the Bears in the playoff picture—and at 34 his career might finally take off.
Brad Biggs' 10 thoughts - Brad Biggs with (2d6+10) thoughts after Bears' win over Ravens.
Bears miss Lovie? A painful notion - Barry Rozner: If Lovie Smith had still been coach of the Bears this season, the defense would have been just as bad as it is now and the offense would have been as bad as it always was under Smith.
Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). You (might) get a peppermint if you do. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.
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Chicago Bears 23, Baltimore Ravens 20 (OT)
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Highlights from the Bears weather delayed 23-20 OT win over the Ravens at Soldier Field.
Trestman pleased with offense's ball security in win - Larry Mayer: One day after their marathon 23-20 overtime win over the Ravens, Marc Trestman praised the Bears offense for its ball security in brutal weather and field conditions.
Bears’ pre-snap penalties raise red flag - Mark Potash: In all, the Bears committed 13 penalties for 111 yards on Sunday, after coming into the game with 40 penalties in nine games.
[Audio] - Marc Trestman talked with Josh Liss on Monday morning about the Bears overtime win against Baltimore.
Questionable play-calling, clock management - James Neveau: Despite winning 23-20 in overtime on Sunday, Marc Trestman made some head-scratching decisions against the Ravens that deserve scrutiny.
Why Trestman didn’t use his timeouts - Adam Hoge: To the average fan, it was a maddening decision, as a Ravens TD would have given Baltimore the lead with very little time left for the Bears to counter. But you better believe Trestman had a reason for not using them — and a long one at that.
[Audio] - Josh McCown on the game-winning drive.
X&Os - Greg A. Bedard: The Bears took a page out of the rival Packers’ playbook to beat the Ravens in overtime. Matt Bowen's take.
Game review - Michael C. Wright's review of four hot issues from the Bears' 23-20 overtime win.
[Video] CSNChicago discussion - The panel discussion Trestman's decision-making in the Bears' overtime win over the Ravens, and the game conditions from Sunday. [KAPCON: 4, but how can you wear those shoes with a suit?]
Team notes - Patrick Finley: O-line does job against Ravens; injury updates; Trestman on not using timeouts at end of Q4.
[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Should the Bears game have been started on time? [KAPCON: 5]
Moon Mullin grades the coaching and by position group: QB - RB - WR/TE - OL - DL - LB - DB - STs.
Game grades - Hub Arkush: Coaches, Bears did a wonderful job under unusual circumstances.
Game grades - PFF's three performances of note.
Game grades - Adam Hoge grades out the Bears after their win over the Ravens and dares to disagree with PFF. Blasphemy!
Game grades - Brad Biggs: D-line finds a way to rush passer in mud, helping turn game around.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Stephen Paea is mic'd up for Sounds of the Game.
Photos from ChicagoBears.com - From the sideline ... Off the field: severe weather ... photo journal.
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McCown, Cutler
McCown to start Sunday on road against Rams - Larry Mayer: Josh McCown will make his second straight start Sunday against the Rams in St. Louis in place of Jay Cutler, who remains sidelined with a high ankle sprain.
[Video] ESPN - Eric Allen on the Bears' decision to sit Jay Cutler for Sunday's game against the Rams.
NFC North teams trying to weather QB woes - Tom Pelissero: The Bears have kept pace with the Lions at 6-4 thanks in no small part to the 34-year-old journeyman filling in for Cutler. Brent Sobleski: Which current starting QB not named Stafford is NFC North’s best?
[Audio] - Josh McCown joins Carmen & Jurko to discuss the win over the Ravens, dealing with the long weather delay, the role of Jay Cutler on the sideline and more. [Audio] Credits Trestman for being prepared.
[Audio] Jay Cutler Show - Cutler returns and discusses the health of his ankle, how Josh McCown has been performing, and being a part of the weather delay.
Cutler ruled out against Rams - Michael C. Wright: QB remains week to week and alluded to injury possibly being more significant than original diagnosis. Patrick Finley: Ankle might keep him out into December.
No debate among Bears: Cutler is the man - Rich Campbell: Despite strong play of backup McCown, Bears say there's no QB controversy.
Positively no question that Cutler tops McCown - Rick Morrissey: McCown has been so good that you’re no longer part of the lunatic fringe in Chicago for wanting a backup QB to be a starter. But it doesn’t make you right.
Alex Brown: Start McCown the rest of the season - Former Bears DE weighs in on why the Bears should stick with McCown, even when Cutler returns from injury.
Trestman reiterates Jay Cutler is starter - Michael C. Wright: McCown certainly deserves credit for doing his job: filling in masterfully when Cutler couldn’t go. But all the starting QB talk regarding McCown needs to stop. A healthy Cutler provides Chicago the best chance to win football games.
Bears face Cutler crossroad - Rich Campbell: Bears need data to determine QB's value to them with a new contract, but it's difficult to obtain the longer he's injured.
[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Cutler won't play against Rams; the panel discuss if Cutler would have started, if healthy? [KAPCON: 5]
View from the Moon - Moon Mullin: Cutler on track to becoming exactly what the Bears hoped he would morph into when the organization hired Marc Trestman to reshape him. Breadcrumb trail still points to Cutler being Bears’ starting QB in 2014.
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Defense
Bears defense shows up at opportune time - Barry Rozner: Just when you thought it impossible for the Bears’ defense to show up and help win a game, that’s exactly what happened Sunday against Baltimore.
Bass, Ozougwu surprise on Sunday - James Neveau: The Bears beat the Ravens in a close game Sunday, but it was the contributions from unsung heroes like David Bass and Cheta Ozougwu that made the difference.
Bears' defense starting to get it done - Bob LeGere: The defense under Mel Tucker has shown improvement in recent weeks despite playing without seven injured veteran starters and working young, inexperienced players into key roles.
Defense has found ways to move past the injuries - Adam L. Jahns: There are definitely signs of progress, with the Ravens only converting two of their last 11 third downs, and the Lions two of their last nine.
Bears' defense showing signs it's coming together - Andrew Seligman: The past three games (average 20.3 points allowed) have been a big improvement over the first seven, when Chicago allowed an average of 29.4 points.
'Peanut' brittle? Another key offseason call for Bears - Chris Boden: The shutdown corner Bears bosses didn't need to worry about for the better part of the past decade is now yet another question on a defense full of them.
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Bearsss
Bears schedule - Moon Mullin: Win over Ravens, other results put Bears in playoff discussion.
Injury news - Adam Hoge: Marc Trestman confirmed Cutler will miss his second consecutive game Sunday when the Bears play the Rams. Paea is likely to be out, while McClellin could return. Michael C. Wright: McClellin expected to practice soon.
Team notes - Bob LeGere: Trestman played the probabilities on Ravens' final drive in Q4; QB situation remains unchanged; Bears at franchise historic low for giving the ball away.
Team notes - Dan Wiederer: Mistakes on 1st 15 scripted plays vs. Ravens 'a red flag' for Trestman; injury updates.
[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin on McCown, weather delay, Rams preview.
2013 NFL midseason report card - Fanspeak.com grades every team's units [giggity] after week 11. Do you agree with how they grade the Bears?
Bears doing good things - Patrick Finley: Current and former Bears to help Red Cross distribute meals for tornado victims on Tuesday.
Bears doing good things - Russell Lissau: Bears rookies pitch in to help feed military families.
Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.
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Reminder: Red Robin offer valid today
Hat tip to Cevarius: Red Robin is doing a free burger promotion - Tavern Double Tuesday. Free Tavern Double Burger on the Tuesday following a Bears game where the D gets a turnover - either interception or fumble recovery - with purchase of another entrée and two drinks - for select residents in IL, IN and IA.
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Ditka
[Audio] Ditka - Da Coach comments on the weather delay in Ravens-Bears, why he was bothered by the penalty on Ahmad Brooks for hitting Drew Brees, the Broncos' win over the Chiefs and more.
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Polish sausage
NFP Sunday Blitz - Len Pasquarelli: Despite an underwhelming 2013 campaign, many NFL insiders still feel that Jadeveon Clowney is the top prospect in the 2014 draft; plus more from around the NFL.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Vikings 20 Seahawks 41: Game report and [Video] highlights from NFL.com.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Lions 27, Steelers 37: Game report and [Video] highlights from NFL.com.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Packers 13, Giants 27: Game report and [Video] highlights from NFL.com.
Fanspeak's 2013 Midseason Scouting Report - Fanspeak.com have kindly made their 500 Player Big Board, Player Rankings, Scouting Reports, Midseason Mock Draft and more available for free download. A must-see for draftniks!