The Bears Den: November 28, 2013 - Week 13 news & notes

Bears back on practice field prepping for Vikings - Larry Mayer: With Jay Cutler still hampered by a high ankle sprain, Josh McCown will make his third straight start and fourth in five games.

McCown is the least of the Bears’ worries - Mark Potash: When Marc Trestman met the media Wednesday, the subjects that were addressed before McCown’s name even came up covered most of the team.

Much has changed since McCown's first start as a Bear - Bob LeGere: Josh McCown's first win as a starter for the Bears was less than two years ago. But almost everything has changed for him and the team since that 17-13 victory on New Year's Day, 2012, at the Metrodome.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Fear the Goatse Bear! Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res (warning: potential Awesome overload).

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Defense, Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson isn't predicting a big day - Michael C. Wright: It’s becoming fairly common for Chicago’s defense to surrender yardage in chunks on the ground. But Peterson refuses to underestimate the Bears.

Steady diet of AP on Bears' menu - Fred Mitchell: It's no secret to anyone the NFL's reigning MVP will get ample opportunity Sunday to add to his 997 yards rushing against the league's worst run defense,

Will AP be too much for Bears' defense? - Bob LeGere: NFL-worst run defense appears to be at a serious disadvantage this week against AP, who has already rushed for 997 yards. Almost certainly.

Hungry AP vs. Bears’ terrible rush defense might make history - Patrick Finley: Against a unit Tucker referred to as ‘‘learning on the job’’, it’d be surprising if AP didn’t do something historic Sunday in the Metrodome.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Can the Bears stop Adrian Peterson? [KAPCON: 5]

Mel Tucker focusing on run fits, gap integrity - Larry Mayer: Trestman conceded that it's difficult to get young players to focus solely on their responsibilities; in recent weeks, the Bears have played five rookies on defense.

Rams running over Bears shouldn’t have surprised anyone - Rick Morrissey: The Bears aren’t good at run fits, and no amount of teaching is going to make up for the fact they don’t have the athletes backups to pull it off.

[Video] - What did Lance Briggs say to the Bears D after loss to Rams?

Football Outsiders - The Bears are a middle-of-the-pack defense when compared to the league average, according to FO's metrics.

In Bears' favor: Bad run defenses DO win Super Bowls - Moon Mullin: For all of the hand-wringing hysteria over the Bears’ non-existent run defense, that is in itself no reason why the Bears cannot reach and even win the Super Bowl.

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Bears-Vikings previews

No extra pressure for Bears offense - (AP) Rather than worry about the defense, the offense is looking for ways to help. Ball control to limit AP's rushing attempts might be one way.

Team notes - Mark Potash: Matt Forte to play vs. Vikings; more injury news; Trestman doesn’t have time to celebrate homecoming moment.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Bears expecting to have Matt Forte Sunday; Paea, Ratliff limited; more notes.

Injury news - Larry Mayer: Forte expected to play despite knee injury; Paea and Ratliff both limited in practice; more injury news.

View from the enemy - The StarTribune's Bears scouting report.

Adrian Peterson familiar with Cutler's injury - Michael C. Wright: APknows a little from experience about the pain Jay Cutler might be feeling as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain.

Bears' memories of the Vikings' Metrodome - On Sunday, the Bears will pay their last respects to the Metrodome. Dan Wiederer takes a look at some of the most notable games.

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Bearsss

Kyle Long fined $7,875 for Rams' altercation - Jeff Dickerson: Long received a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty but was not ejected from the game. Rich Campbell: Howie Long proud of Chris for rescuing Kyle from an escalating confrontation.

Four Downs - Jeff Dickerson & Jon Greenberg weight in on four issues ahead of Sunday's game. Is AP in for a big day, and what lies in the future for Conte, Bostic, and Peppers?

NFC North will start to sort itself out now - Dan Wiederer: Starting with Packers-Lions Thursday and the Bears-Vikings matchup Sunday, the picture should begin to clear.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Trestman focuses on present; DeCamillis disappointed that Hester's apparent 62-yard punt-return TD was negated by holding call; injury report.

Bears mailbag - Q. Wharrgarble the Bears should use the top four picks in the draft to double down on both DT positions. What do you think about that? Brad Biggs: /facepalm.

Draft preview - Daniel Jeremiah breaks down the top three draft needs for all 32 teams heading into Week 13 of the regular season.

SI's Pass Rush Pressure Points - Greg A. Bedard: Robert Quinn had a game for the ages in Week 12 and quietly is becoming a legitimate threat to win the DPotY award. [Even with that, there were eight teams who scored worse in pass protection in week 12 - Den]

Night of the Ridiculous - Where are they now? Scott Krinch looks up the 2006 offense, the defense, and personnel ... [Video] CSNChicago discussion.

Joe DeCamillis has much to be thankful for - Peggy Kusinski: Special teams coach Joe DeCamillis survived an accident at the Cowboys practice facility four years ago.

There's always something to be thankful for - Andrew Brandt runs through each team in the league. Bears: "That the new leadership tandem of Phil Emery and Marc Trestman, while not the most dynamic, present as smart, sensible and focused on sustained success." FOXSports' tongue-in-cheek list.

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Polish sausage

Know thy enemies - Kevin Chroust previews Packers-Lions: GB starts its fourth QB this season; meanwhile Stafford has completed a league-worst 49.6% of his throws in three games this month. NFL Around the League preview. Chris Burke: For once, Detroit has something to play for beyond pride.

Know thy enemies - Michael Rothstein, Rob Demovsky take a look at how the teams match up. Rob Demovsky: Flynn's history with Lions should help. Michael Rothstein: Lions have more issues than Sitton's words.

Know thy enemies - [Video] Terry Bradshaw expects a fight to break out after a Packers O-lineman called the Lions dirty (Howie Long: "The NFL really doesn't want to see that on Thanksgiving."). Dave Dye: Former Lion doesn't 'have a ton of respect' for Schwartz.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Mark Craig: Vikings have ingredients, but can't execute at crunch time as offense rarely chews the clock, and the defense seldom stops foes late. Ben Goessling: Off-field issues hang over Vikings' approach.

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