The Bears Den: December 13, 2013 - Week 15 Bears news & notes

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses who leads the Bears-Browns all-time series, if Jeffery is on pace to break Marshall's record, and if the Bears can still earn a wildcard berth.

More Chalk Talk - Larry discusses the last time the Bears swept an AFC division, the last time the Bears scored at least 45 points with no TDs on defense or special teams, and how Cutler has fared against the Browns.

[Audio] - Lester joins the Patrick Schmidt Show and spends nearly 20 minutes talking Bears. You listen! You listen now!

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Oy vey. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.

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Jay Cutler to start Sunday, Josh McCown returns to bench

Cutler to start Sunday in Cleveland - Larry Mayer: Marc Trestman made it official Thursday, naming Jay Cutler as the team’s starting QB for Sunday's game against the Browns in Cleveland.  McCown takes trip back to bench in stride.

Debate over: Cutler set to start Sunday - Moon Mullin: The coaches regard Cutler as giving the Bears the best chance of winning their next game, the only real standard right now with a 7-6 record and playoff hopes at stake.

Cutler to start Sunday - Dan Wiederer: As well as McCown has played, buoying the Bears’ playoff hopes since early November, Cutler’s return has been greeted with seemingly unbridled excitement.

Cutler to start Sunday - James Neveau: At a time when many players are really starting to feel the effects of a hard season, Cutler coming in fresh as a daisy could be a good thing for the Bears' offense.

Cutler on contract situation: ‘Phil Emery has a plan’ - Adam Hoge: The team’s commitment to Cutler as their starter despite backup Josh McCown being named NFC OPotW Tuesday speaks for itself.

[Video] - Jim Miller weighs in on Bears' QB situation.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Should Cutler be starting Sunday, and how does 2013 affect his contract going forward? [Video] Did Trestman make the right decision starting Cutler?

Cutler is no sure thing, but he's still the Bears' best bet - Jon Greenberg: Because he couldn't finish his past two games, and because he's been out a month, it's easy to remember [? - I do believe Greenberg meant "forget" - Den] that Cutler was playing pretty well this season.

Trestman has stuck his neck out on call to start Cutler - Rick Morrissey: If you listen to McCown’s most ardent ­supporters, one more start for Josh and the world would have been rid of the common cold and heart disease.

Unlike Urlacher, Bears glad to have Cutler back - Patrick Finley: Those still wearing Bears jerseys seemed to agree with Trestman’s decision. Or, at least, they’re saying the right things. Moon Mullin: If McCown OK with decision, so should teammates.

Forget the rust; in Jay, we trust, Trestman says - Mark Potash: Cutler will be facing a Browns team ranked seventh in total defense (320 yards per game) and second in yards allowed per play (4.6).

Trestman made right move - Michael C. Wright: In all honesty, would anybody have questioned the decision to rename Cutler the starter in the aftermath of the club’s Dec. 1 overtime stinker at Minnesota?

Smug Cutler still Bears' best choice - David Haugh: Cutler may have lacked tact while assessing McCown's play, but he's still the Chicago Bears' top option at QB.

Dionne Miller's 'Happenings at Halas' - Jay Cutler is cleared to play, so he will, ending any debate nationally and locally that Josh McCown should get another chance to build on his career-best performances.

Trestman's bigger Cutler question - Steve Rosenbloom: What if Marc Trestman has to pull Jay Cutler for bad play, not health, and Cutler doesn't think he was playing that badly?

Despite excellent run, McCown embraces role as backup - Adam L. Jahns: McCown’s team-first demeanor and humility prevents locker room rift. McCown going over game plan for Browns at Cutler's on Wednesday night.

McCown in strong bargaining position - Brad Biggs: Even after ceding the starting QB job back to Cutler, the Bears will have to pay more to keep McCown in 2014, with or without Cutler.

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Chicago Bears - Cleveland Browns previews

Game preview - Pat McManamon and Michael C. Wright compare how the teams match up and make their game predictions.

X&Os - Dan Durkin goes to the film room to look at a few of the Browns' blitz packages.

Know thy enemy - Michael C. Wright: As Josh Gordon makes a run at the NFL record books, Mel Tucker expects his group to face a tall order containing him Sunday on the road.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Josh Gordon has explosive ability and can make safeties look foolish if they make mistakes in missing tackles.

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Bearsss

Bears done if they can’t stop run - Hub Arkush: When you can’t stop the run, you can’t control the clock. When you can’t control the clock, your opponent has more time on the field and a better chance to score.

Four Downs - Jeff Dickerson, Jon Greenberg weigh in on whether Cutler should play this week, if the Bears must draft a QB in May, if Briggs is out for the season, and whether Joe Haden can shut down Alshon Jeffery.

Brad Biggs' Bears mailbag - Readers' Q&A about deferring the kickoff, Cutler's value, giving Jeffery a long-term deal, injuries on defense, missed tackles, and could Lovie Smith return as defensive coordinator?

Joniak's Journal - McCown got a lot of confidence in his preparation out of starting; Hester wants to set return record as a Bear; Bears' takeaway rate declined as injuries hit; three unheralded role players on Bears.

Team notes - Patrick Finley: Briggs practices for first time since injury; Martellus Bennett compares D’Qwell Jackson to Patrick Willis; injury news.

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Polish sausage

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: Playoffs start Monday night for the Lions, says Reggie Bush.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Getting ball out quickly best for Matt Flynn; it was when he had to go through his progressions that things broke down.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: What kind of reception will Jared Allen get on an open market that hasn't been terribly friendly to veteran pass-rushers in recent years?

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo rose to worldwide prominence after featuring on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album.