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Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses whether an NFC North champion has ever won less than 10 games, if the Bears will move McClellin to LB, and why Cornelius Washington hasn't seen much playing time.
Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses if the Bears changed their practice schedule because of Christmas, the return record Hester is chasing, and the last time the Bears swept the Packers.
Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Festive perennial potential future Mrs Spongie in hi-res.
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Bears-Packers
Bears-Packers finale a first with title at stake - Don Pierson: Both teams may be in a downward spiral but one of them has to win the NFC North, in only the 11th time the storied franchises have met at season's end. The other 10.
How Bears and Packers got here - The Tribune's infographic shows the two teams' journeys to week 17.
We’ll learn a lot about Trestman on Sunday - Mark Potash: Seattle's performance in the 2010 finale is what you call an indicator of better things to come under Pete Carroll. Marc Trestman, it’s your move.
[Video] CSNChicago - Boden & Jiggs preview Bears-Packers and ask: Will Cutler be back in 2014?
Onus is more on Cutler to deliver than Trestman - Dan McGrath: This is a game Cutler has to win if he is who we think he is, who we want him to be. This is Bears-Packers. It’s his moment.
Packers game a chance for Cutler to cast out demons - Moon Mullin: To get back to the playoffs, Cutler has to get past the team that has embarrassed him more than any other in his career.
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Bearsss
Time to shine spotlight on O-line - Bob LeGere: It hasn't gotten as much credit as the skill-position players, but the O-line has paved the way for much of the unit's success this season.
Jennings wants to be back as a Bears 'core guy' - Moon Mullin: Tim Jennings is expected to be an offseason priority, likely more so than Charles Tillman.
Mel Tucker confident in job security - Michael C. Wright: Trestman has continued to express confidence in Tucker; if the Bears did decide to part ways with their DC, it would be a major mistake.
10 observations - Mark Potash clearly drew the short straw at the SunTimes' Xmas party as he continues his one-man festive blitz of Bears coverage.
Bad game forgotten? Look to 2008 Cardinals - Mark Potash: When’s the last time a team lost by 40 or more points and did anything in the playoffs? The 2008 Cardinals are the team Trestman should be referencing.
Saints would be Bears’ best playoff foe - Mark Potash: The Saints have lost five of their last six road games. Though they average 32.3 points at home, they average 18.6 on the road — 14.6 over their last six road games.
Was the Fog Bowl an act of God? - Chuck Garfien: The Fog Bowl still baffles meteorologists, and continues to haunt the Eagles, who were loaded with talent and felt they were good enough to win the Super Bowl.
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Polish sausage
Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Lucky or not, Packers thankful for chance at playoffs. Clay Matthews ruled out.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: Lions lament one final opportunity lost. Because this is what Detroit’s season has whittled itself down to: win or lose and then go home.
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