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The Bears Den: September 17, 2013 - Week 3 news and notes

By Spongie

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Jonathan Daniel

Bears believe in new 'clutch' identity - Moon Mullin: A team that has missed the playoffs five of the last six seasons has sensed an identity change because of what the offense has been able to do, for a change. Adam L. Jahns: Something’s brewing on ‘O’.

10 observations - Mark Potash: Not even a pass that hit the umpire in the head was going to bother Jay Cutler on Sunday. Plus, 10 more observations on the Bears’ 31-30 victory over the Vikings:

Brad Biggs' 10 thoughts - Ten thoughts after the Bears moved to 2-0 for only the fourth time since 1992 with a 31-30 victory over the Vikings.

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Have you blamed ThorCo yet today? Click for Chicago Bears Tickets. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Hi-res version of today's pic.

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Bears-Vikings

Game review - Marc Trestman said the team’s game-winning TD drive against the Vikings on Sunday "couldn’t have been better," but there are definitely improvements the team needs to make going forward.

Game review - Michael C. Wright looks at four hot issues from Bears-Vikings.

Game review - Laurence Holmes breaks down Bears-Vikings 24 hours later.

Bears received contributions from all three phases in win - Larry Mayer: Marc Trestman lauded the defense and special teams for keeping Bears-Vikings close and the offense for overcoming adversity.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Breaking down the Bears' game-winning play. [It's on Bleacherreport, but few do it as well as Bowen. Bonus: not in slideshow format.]

X&Os - Greg Bedard takes a look at how the Vikings blew their coverage on the same play.

View from the enemy - Brian Murphy: Before the final drive, the Vikings defended admirably against Cutler and a slick Bears offense that is evolving into a multidimensional threat under first-year coach Marc Trestman. [Read that again, slowly - Den]

Game grades - Adam Hoge highlights the best and worst performances from Bears-Vikings, and also provides some observations. Adam L. Jahns: Snap counts.

Game grades - Brad Biggs: Weak pass rush, inability to get stops on third down among concerns for Bears defense.

Game grades - Hub Arkush: As a team, the Bears get a B+ for their 31-30 nail-biting victory over the Vikings.

Game grades - James Neveau: Secondary, special teams strong as Bears start season 2-0. PFF: Three Performances of Note.

Game notes - Adam Hoge: Peppers was limited in practice leading up to the game with an illness and it lingered Sunday; Defense trusting Offense more; special teams "No Consequence" rule; more game notes.

Game notes - Bob LeGere: Tillman thinks Ponder has been getting a bad rap; Jay Cool; more notes from the game. Moon Mullin: Bears best in NFCN at containing AP.

Patterson sees greatness in Hester - Jake Flannigan: "He’s the best in the business," Patterson said.

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Bears audiovisual

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Major Wright is mic'd up for the Bears' thrilling come from behind win in week two against the Vikings at Soldier Field.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bear Trax: All the action on the Bears' sideline

Photos from ChicagoBears.com - Photo Journal of Bears-Vikings ... scenes from the locker room ... images from the sideline.

[Audio] - Jump to 11:45 or so to hear Ron Jaworski discuss Cutler's performance during the Bears' 2-0 start. [Audio] Tim Hasselbeck on Cutler's mechanics and command of the offense ... [Audio] more from 5:00 in with Colin Cowherd.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - The panel's thoughts on the Bears' second straight stunning victory. [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] View from the Moon - What is the impact of the Bears' special teams?

[Audio] Jay Cutler Show - Jay Cutler joins Waddle & Silvy to discuss the win over Minnesota and welcomes Martellus Bennett to the show.

[Video] CSNChicago discussion - Now that Cutler is Mr. Clutch, does Lovie Smith wish he'd hired Trestman as OC? [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] ESPN - Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless discuss shout about the confidence of Jay Cutler and his late-game heroics. [Stephen A. Smith + Skip Bayless = automatic KAPCON: 3, possibly 2]

[Audio] Lester speaks! - I didn't notice our own Lester A. Wiltfong's fanpost until after the game had already been played because he was too modest to have me mention it in a certain daily post for Bears-related links. And after Ditka, who's more Bears than the other Coach?

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Bearsss

Martellus Bennett maturing - Doug Padilla: A fresh start and a renewed focus, combined with lessons learned, have created a perfect storm that has allowed the new Bears TE to thrive in the early going. Michael C. Wright: TE has bruised shoulder.

Cutler no longer seeing ghosts - Doug Padilla: Four new members of the O-line, not to mention two rookies on the right side, could have been a recipe for disaster, but so far it has been good enough to allow Cutler to pass for 532 yards and five TDs in a 2-0 start. Charlie Roumeliotis: Getting used to more time in the pocket.

D-line in no real rush so far - Bob LeGere: The pass rush from the Bears' defense has been inconsistent at best through two weeks, as Peppers and Melton struggle to get back to full strength after injuries and illness.

Road gets tougher for struggling D-line - Moon Mullin: After beating two 2012 playoffs QBs, now the D face two in the next three weeks who have won Super Bowls (PIT, NO), and a third who has averaged 5,000 passing yards over the past two seasons (DET). Michael C. Wright: Illness affected Peppers' performance.

Briggs realizes Bears toeing thin line at 2-0 - Andrew Seligman: The Bears showed again they're at least a resilient bunch even if they're not quite a finished product and that they can pull out games late.

Bears schedule - Moon Mullin: Bears one of only three NFC teams at 2-0 and have taken care of two 2012 playoff teams. What a 2-0 start means to the Bears.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Trestman's teachings already paying off for Bears; Briggs says team forming "clutch" identity; Hester has a fan in his HC.

Bears doing good things - Fred Mitchell: Matt Forte talked to the players on the Frederick Douglass Academy football team Monday afternoon about the importance of determination, resiliency and confidence.

Nothing quite like that '63 Bears team - Mike Imrem: For a weekend at least, the 1963 Bears could enjoy being remembered for bringing an NFL championship to Chicago.

Dave Duerson's son shines a light on mental health - Burt Constable: Tregg Duerson advocates for suicide prevention by delivering powerful speeches about the death of his father, Dave Duerson, a star on the '85 Bears.

Ex-Bear news - Rick Casares dies at 82; led the NFL in rushing in 1956 and is third on the Bears' career rushing list.

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 (Jennings pick-6, Collins/Wootton FF/FR)

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

[Audio] Ditka speaks! - Da Coach on the Bears' comeback wins, Robert Griffin III, the Seahawks' win over the 49ers, the Eagles' offense, Johnny Manziel's style of play and more.

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Polish sausage

...will return tomorrow, after the Bears' day off. It just doesn't feel right to have Ditka without following with Polish sausage.

More from Windy City Gridiron:

Sam & Ashley's lovey-dovey music week... only they're on honeymoon and probably won't see it. I clearly didn't think this through.

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