The Bears Den: December 25, 2013 - Week 17 Bears news & notes

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses the last time the Bears permitted two 100-yard rushers in the same game, how Cutler has fared against the Packers, and what seed the Bears would be if they make the playoffs.

Time to ask if the Bears are soft - Steve Rosenbloom: Are the Bears tough enough? When you look as weak and soft as the Bears did in getting slaughtered on national TV, the question is legit.

15 games into 2013, Bears still an unknown - Moon Mullin: Was this a good team having a bad game, or a team that is just not very good and has occasional good games even against good teams?

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

----------
Bears-Packers

Bears facing do-or-die scenario - Larry Mayer: Sunday will mark the eighth time since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970 that the Bears' playoff fate will be determined on the final day of the regular season.

Packers always a challenge for Cutler, Bears - Bob LeGere: A loss Sunday means no playoffs for the Bears and would lead some to consider Trestman's first season a failure. Packers.

Game preview - Steve Silverman looks at how the Bears and Packers match up.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Tom Thayer goes back to week 9, the Bears' first meeting with the Packers at Lambeau Field, and discusses how the Bears took advantage of offensive skill players down field.

Know thy enemy - According to Dan Pompei's sources, the Bears may not have to face Rodgers this Sunday, as the QB is still recovering from a broken collarbone suffered on Nov. 4.

----------
Bearsss

Lunch with Larry - Larry Mayer's weekly live Q&A on ChicagoBears.com.

McCown’s family comes first - Adam L. Jahns: Coming and going from his Winnetka home the last few weeks has been torturous; the QB may not play anywhere next season.

Fairy tale ending can come true for the Bears - Mike Mulligan: It's easy to believe Cutler can come through against the Packers to win the NFC North title for the Bears as well as respect for himself.

Trestman must show he is more than QB whisperer - Steve Silverman: Trestman has to motivate his team this week, especially after the 54-11 debacle against the Eagles.

Yes, there are ways to find an NFL QB - Mike Imrem: One school of thought is the Bears must re-sign Cutler because there aren't any options to replace him. However, there often are if a team is smart enough to discover them.

Cutler says Jeffery deserves to make Pro Bowl - Michael C. Wright: Cutler says Marshall needs to make his first playoff appearance in eight seasons as a pro, while Jeffery deserves to make the Pro Bowl.

Stock Watch - Jeff Dickerson isn't feeling too festive.

Melton's reps could pursue legal action - Michael C. Wright: Agent said they could end up pursuing legal action against the bar where he was arrested early Sunday morning for assault and public intoxication.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Isaiah Frey is mic'd up for the Bears 54-11 loss to the Eagles on Sunday Night Football in Philadelphia.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Anthony Adams visits strangers by knocking on their doors to sing Christmas carols.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Anthony Adams makes an exception to the big guy rule and takes Tim Jennings for a ride in another edition of "Big guys in compact cars."

ChicagoBears.com: Photos from Bears-Eagles - On the sideline ... in the locker room ... photo journal.

----------
Polish sausage

Know thy enemy: Packers - Greg A. Bedard: Cheesehead Nation would love to see Rogers back for the do-or-die showdown against the Bears. Thank goodness the fans aren’t the ones deciding.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Special teams miscues hurt Packers.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling: Cassel regresses in loss to Bengals ... but will start again; what about Freeman? ... Frazier almost out of chances to save job.

Same Old Lions - Michael Rothstein: In 2012, Detroit lost eight straight games to end the season. This season the Lions lost five of six games after holding fourth-quarter leads in every game. Schwartz: Season not a failure.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Doug Farrar: Schwartz's outburst at Lions fans typifies a tenure that needs to end. That he couldn’t see the importance of keeping his composure in that situation embodies his time with the Lions, and the Lions themselves during his tenure. Regrets yelling back.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Greg A. Bedard: Stafford still has time to learn that great numbers don't mean wins, but it’s going to run out eventually. Gregg Doyel: Former No. 1 overall draft pick Matthew Stafford is a bust.

----------