The Weekend Bears Den: December 07, 2013 - Week 14 Bears-Cowboys news & notes

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses if the Bears could have two Pro Bowl receivers this season, the likelihood of Craig Steltz starting against the Cowboys, and if Lance Briggs has had an injury setback.

DeCamillis excited about facing former team - Larry Mayer: Special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis, who served in the same capacity with the Cowboys the past four seasons, is excited about facing his former team Monday night at Soldier Field.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Can I get a Holla? Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. The potential future Mrs Spongie in hi-res.

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Bears-Cowboys

Game preview - Noey Kupchan: Chicago is seeking a third consecutive victory over the Cowboys after winning 34-18 in Dallas on a Monday last October. Cutler threw for 275 yards and two TDs while Romo was picked off a career high-tying five times.  [Video] NFL Films game preview.

[Video] Game preview - Thayer and Mayer discuss the Bears' primetime game in week 14 as they welcome the Cowboys to Soldier Field.

Ratliff can’t avoid spotlight against Cowboys - Mark Potash: On a team ranked 32nd in the NFL in run defense, a four-time Pro Bowl run-stopping DT isn’t going to ease his way into the lineup without fanfare.

Peppers and Ratliff quite a pair - Rich Campbell: There's a sense within the organization that Ratliff's presence energized Peppers and helped him tap into the talent he has summoned so inconsistently this season.

Game preview - Michael C. Wright and Todd Archer look at how the two teams match up and make their predictions.

[Video] Game preview - Tom Waddle, Jeff Dickerson, and Michael C. Wright look ahead to the Bears' Week 14 matchup against the Cowboys.

Marshall: I don't like playing vs. Brandon Carr - Kevin Patra: Brandon Marshall said Thursday he "absolutely" hates lining up opposite Cowboys CB Brandon Carr. The matchup will be one to watch Monday night.

Game preview - Jeff Joniak's keys to the game: A hard-nosed performance against the Cowboys would suit the retirement of Mike Ditka’s number 89 jersey.

[Video] Game preview - Moon Mullin talks Bears-Cowboys: Briggs is further away from playing than Cutler, right now.

Game preview - PFF's three things to focus on.

View from the enemy - Moon Mullin: When Tony Romo talked this week about the 'subtle' differences in the 2013 Bears defense he is seeing on tape, the sense is that he was just being polite.

Game picks - [Video] the ESPN Countdown Daily panel don't like the Bears' defense vs the Cowboys' offense.

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Bearsss

McCown taking nothing for granted - Larry Mayer: Josh McCown has excelled this season in part because the 34-year-old approaches every game like it could be his last.

Is Cutler's ankle injury worse than originally feared? - Adam Hoge: Mixed messages aren’t helping, but the Bears are in a no-win situation after what happened with the groin injury.

NFL analyst questions if Bears will move on from Cutler - Brad Biggs: Mike Mayock wasn't comparing career accomplishments for Jay Cutler and Blaine Gabbert when he lumped them together Thursday night during a broadcast of the Texans-Jaguars game.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: McCown grateful for every start; DeCamillis never worried about Gould's availability last weekend despite birth of first child; injury updates.

Team notes - Rich Campbell: Cutler practices again without incident; Lovie Smith on radar to replace Gary Kubiak; DeCamillis not downplaying opportunity to beat his former employer; fines from Bears-Vikings.

Team notes - Patrick Finley: Trestman sees some of Cutler in Romo; Lovie Smith to interview with Texans; more team notes.

[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin: How close is Cutler to a return, can the defense step up against the Cowboys, and is Lovie Smith the next Texans' head coach?

Jennings: Bears just need 'that one big spark' - Michael C. Wright: The situation looks dire, but Tim Jennings says “he’s seen it done before” and “if we get that one spark,” perhaps the club’s dying postseason hopes can spring back to life.

NFC North bruised but not broken down the stretch - Arthur Arkush: Injuries have taken their toll on the NFL's winningest division in 2012.

Bears mailbag - Jeff Dickerson gets trolled by a Packers fan about "McNown's" play last weekend. Funny, McCown is doing considerably better than any of Seneca Wallace, Scott Tolzien or Matt Flynn.....

Wright, Forte among Bears in line for Pro Bowl - Moon Mullin: Major Wright is among a handful of Bears who would be Pro Bowl starters if the game were being played right now.

Marv Levy knows about missed 47-yard field goals - Fred Mitchell: Hall of Famer called Marc Trestman to encourage him after the Bears lost to the Vikings following Robbie Gould's off-the-mark 47-yarder.

Points just the start of Gould’s Bears legacy - Adam L. Jahns: ‘‘In the place-kicker world, there’s not as many that are beloved by the city as him — for good reason,’’ said Adam Podlesh.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Peanut Tillman and Anthony Adams crash tailgate parties at Soldier Field and sample the food and fun with Bears' fans.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Big guys, compact cars: Anthony Adams takes an interesting ride with Martellus Bennett and two discuss their favorite superheroes, where Martellus' nickname "The Black Unicorn" comes from, and why Chicago traffic is so bad.

[Video] Bears doing good things - The Bears' rookie class recently distributed 400 turkeys and Thanksgiving fixings to military families in the Chicago area.

Bears launch 'Bears Daily' free app - Larry Mayer: Bears fans can now keep tabs on their favorite team with Bears Daily, the official free iPad app of the Chicago Bears.

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Ditka

Mike Ditka, No. 89, the first and last of his kind - Patrick Finley: Before he was Da Coach or Da Pitchman, he was 89. And 89 was the baddest tight end on the planet. On any other team, he would have played linebacker.

Ditka’s failed stint with Eagles nearly spelled da end - The legend of Mike Ditka took shape in Aliquippa, Pa., and was emboldened in Chicago but came perilously close to flaming out in Philadelphia.

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Polish sausage

Ravens at Bears, Game 150: The Test - Peter King: An overtime game, played in crazy Chicago conditions, challenged Gene Steratore’s officiating crew's preparation, their judgment and their teamwork. Would they make the grade?

Know thy enemy: Lions - Kevin Chroust previews Detroit at Philadelphia. Phil Sheridan & Michael Rothstein: How the teams match up ... Dealing with speed key for Lions' D. PFF: Three things to focus on.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Alan Ferguson's Falcons-Packers preview.  Rob Demovsky & Vaughn McClure: How the teams match up ... Capers appreciates support, plans to go on. PFF: Three things to focus on.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Jeff Mezydlo's Vikings-Ravens preview.  Jamison Hensley & Ben Goessling: How the teams match up ... What to watch for.  PFF: Three things to focus on.

NFL.com cheerleaders gallery - The best of the week 13 cheerleaders; more from SI.com.

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