The Bears Den: December 03, 2013 - Week 14 Bears-Vikings news

How Bears got to 6-6 drives panic - Barry Rozner: Had they won three of the last four to get to 6-6, Bears fans would be excited about 2014, but because they’ve trended down in a rebuilding year, the sky seems to be falling. In fact, it is not.

10 observations - Mark Potash: What about the analytics now, Marc Trestman? Plus 10 more thoughts on the Bears' loss.

Brad Biggs' 10 thoughts - Brad Biggs with 10 thoughts after Bears' loss to Vikings. He appears to be using base 14.

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

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Bears 20, Vikings 23 (OT)

Bears’ defense unprepared on fourth-and-11 - Patrick Finley: On the play that could’ve ended the Vikings’ hopes in regulation, the Bears’ defense was caught flat-footed Sunday. And pointing. And calling a play.

Game notes - Rich Campbell: Trestman declined Monday to second-guess controversial OT decision; Jeffery sets new franchise record but just wants to win; team-wise failure in defeat; more notes.

[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin talks Trestman's decision, who will be the QB for the Cowboys game, and is the offense to blame for the loss?

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Rehashing Bears loss to Vikings. [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] - Adam L, Jahns and Mark Potash: If Cutler is healthy next week, should he start? And what happened with the defense at the end of regulation?

[Video] PostGame Live - Opening thoughts on the loss ... [Video] Moon Mullin talks fourth-quarter breakdown ... [Video] Final thoughts after Vikings loss.

Game grades - Brad Biggs is a harsh grader.

Moon Mullin grades the coaching and by position group: QB - RB - WR/TE - OL - DL - LB - DB - STs. Not so good for Josh McCown.

Game grades - Will Brinson with full grades for every single team from 2013's NFL Week 13. The Bears were below average but far from the worst!

[Video] PostGame Live - Monsters of the Midway: Jeffery and Peppers.

Game grades - PFF's three performances of note.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Highlights from the Bears' 23-20 OT loss. [Video] Zack Bowman mic'd up.

Photos from ChicagoBears.com: from the sideline ... in the locker room ... photo journal.

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Trestman

Trestman explains decision to kick on second down - Larry Mayer: A day later, Marc Trestman further explained his decision to have Robbie Gould try a 47-yard FG on second-and-seven in overtime in an eventual loss to the Vikings.

Trestman not backing away from FG decision - Andrew Seligman: Insisted he made the right move, even if the decision did not pan out.

Trestman defends OT decision - Michael C. Wright: Trestman accepted accountability on Monday, but defended his decision to have Robbie Gould attempt a 47-yard field goal on second down.

Trestman accepts blame but defends timing of Gould kick - Mark Potash: Trestman never flinched Monday when grilled by reporters for most of his 21-minute news conference about his fateful decision.

Trestman’s decision doesn’t ‘add’ up - Adam Hoge: The inconsistency in philosophy is confusing, and the sudden doubt in the same offense Trestman trusted to pick up a fourth down in the Bears’ own territory in Green Bay speaks volumes.

Trestman's faith in Bears' offense questioned - Bob LeGere: FG on second down in OT backfired and left some wondering why he didn't show more faith in an offense that has carried the team much of the season.

Confusing call in OT raises questions - Dan Wiederer: Why did a head coach who throughout the season had proven so fearless and optimistic, suddenly start worrying about what might go wrong?

Trestman's judgment calls hurting Bears - Mike North: Marc Trestman needs to improve on his decision-making skills if he want to be an effective head coach in the NFL.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Worst coaching decision ever? [KAPCON: 4]

On second thought, Trestman has stubborn streak - David Haugh: Gradually, Trestman went from being fearlessly optimistic to letting fear of failure paralyze his play-calling in overtime. Usually open and affable, the Bears coach stands by bad decision in Minnesota.

Trestman refuses to admit he made mistakes vs. Vikings - Rick Morrissey: Trestman seems to be under the impression that making a decision means justifying it to the bitter end. You can’t learn from your mistakes if you don’t think they’re mistakes.

Trestman lacking lately in in-game decisionmaking - James Neveau: In the past few weeks, some of Trestman’s sheen as an offensive genius has begun to wear off. He has got to do a better job of choosing his spots to gamble and spots to be conservative.

Trestman too smart to play dumb - Mike Imrem: An NFL rookie head coach whose primary credential is supposed to be intelligence isn't supposed to make game decisions that are perceived to be dumb... especially when his team loses.

Trestman must show more trust in offense - Michael Wilbon: If Trestman keeps playing for 20 points and FGs late instead of putting this special group of offensive players in position to crush defenses, then he will have had a disappointing rookie season.

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Bearsss

McCown making Bears' Cutler decision tougher - Brad Biggs: Will Emery spend big bucks on QB when 34-year-old journeyman McCown has better numbers?

Bears need Cutler to be their constant - Rick Morrissey: Circumstances dictate that the Bears sign him to a multiyear contract and win some games on the strength of his arm while Emery goes about getting the defense right.

Cutler's status still uncertain - Michael C. Wright: QB hasn’t yet received clearance from the team’s medical staff after suffering a severe high ankle sprain on Nov. 10.

[Audio] Jay Cutler Show - Jay Cutler discusses the status of his high-ankle sprain, the Bears' loss to the Vikings, a look ahead to the Cowboys game and more.

Injury news - Larry Mayer: Cutler progressing with high ankle sprain, but status for next Monday night's game against the Cowboys remains unknown; Briggs also remains week-to-week; more injury news.

ESPN Chatwrap - Jeff Dickerson takes readers' questions on all things Bears.

Team notes - Patrick Finley: Ratliff shrugs off personal friction with Cowboys; injury updates; more from the game.

Mel Tucker teaching through trying times - Rich Campbell: Bears DC has difficult dual task trying to win now amid injuries to veterans while developing players for the future.

Leaps of faith led Andy Bischoff to become Bears’ TE coach - Patrick Finley: Bischoff's success with the Alouettes under Trestman wasn’t enough to get the Bears gig; Trestman made all prospective assistants interview with the coordinators.

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

Four downs with Ditka - Da Coach shares his thoughts on the NFL and the Bears' porous defense.

Sad Bears fans need a little Ditka, and he's everywhere - Burt Constable: We need something to lift our spirits. We need something to remind us of better days. We need something with a great mustache.

2,000 people raced in Chicago dressed as Mike Ditka - Nate Scott: The first-ever Chicago Ditka Dash 5k took place this weekend, a race that invited Chicagoans to dress up like their favorite coach ever and run around the city.

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Polish sausage

NFP Sunday Blitz - Len Pasquarelli: How has the zone-read option fared this season after setting the league on fire in 2012?

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Hello Grandpa, my old friend...