The Bears Den: October 24, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 8 news & Bears-Patriots previews

Forte admits he's not sure what offense does best - Bob LeGere: The Bears' talented but underachieving offense is still struggling to achieve an identity and a better balance between run and pass.  Vinnie Iyer: Bears averaging 40 dropbacks, 20 carries per game.

It’s time to let Matt Forte be the man - Adam L. Jahns: Seven games into a season marred by inconsistency on offense, it’s time for Matt Forte to take over as the focal point of the offense as the Bears gear up to face the Patriots' 24th-ranked defense.

To get back in running, Bears need to run - Brad Biggs: Matt Forte has been an integral part of passing game, but the Bears need to get their ground game going against a New England defense that has been run on.  Dan Durkin: Bears sixth-most pass-heavy offense in the league,

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Previewing Bears-Patriots

Game preview - Dan Wiederer: Bill Belichick and Darrelle Revis will test Jay Cutler's patience; Matt Forte could be the key to unlocking Patriots defense; Tom Brady's demise was exaggerated, but Jimmy Garoppolo’s time is coming.

Game preview - Not-Hub Fishbain takes a look at how the two teams match up.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jeff Joniak previews his four Keys to the Game for this Sunday's match-up with the New England Patriots.

Know thy enemy - Mini-Larry: Behind Tom Brady, the New England offense is still one of the league's best, despite several changes in personnel and scheme.

X&Os - Dan Durkin: Growing evidence of Rob Gronkowski's confidence returning as he makes more explosive contributions in the passing game.

Bears passing game faces biggest challenge yet - Not-Hub Arkush: The matchups between Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery against Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner will provide plenty of intrigue Sunday.  Not-Hub Fishbain: Patriots tough against receiving RBs such as Matt Forte.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Will Bears stick to the run vs Patriots? [KAPCON: 5]

Team notes - Larry Mayer: Bears prep to face top pass defense; Cutler misses weekly radio show for personal issue; injury updates.

Team notes - Mark Potash: Kyle Fuller might play against Patriots; Santonio Holmes yet to connect consistently with Cutler; two top receivers against Patriots' league-best pass defense are TEs, injury updates.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - PFMS Jen Lada and Moon Mullin on upcoming matchup vs Patriots.  Is Jordan Mills' foot injury chronic at this stage?

[Video] Know thy enemy - ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss previews Sunday's matchup against the Bears, discusses Darrelle Revis' performance with New England, and sits down with Brandon LaFell.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com: Bears Roundtable Week 8 pt.1 - Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer, and Larry Mayer discuss rebounding from the loss against Miami and what aspects of the game the Bears need to clean up.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com: Bears Roundtable Week 8 pt.2 - Joniak, Thayer, and Mayer discuss the production of the Bears' offensive weapons.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com: Bears Roundtable Week 8 pt.3 - Jeff, Tom, and Larry discuss the Bill Belichick's New England team and the role Tom Brady plays in their offense.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com: Bears Roundtable Week 8 pt.4 - The trio discuss why a win in New England will be crucial for recalibrating the team before the bye week.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Trailer for the Bears match-up with the Patriots in Massachusetts.

Photos - ChicagoBears.com with photos from practice as the team prepares for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

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Cutler

Urlacher said what we already know about Cutler - Michael C. Wright: Phil Emery, who absolutely should show support for his starting QB, went overboard with his assessment but even Jay Cutler didn't seem to take offense to Brian Urlacher's comments.

Emery's lame defense of Rex Cutler leads to Trestman issues - Steve Rosenbloom: Everything is awful.

Bears are stuck in a rut with Jay Cutler - Rick Telander: Everything is awful.

[Video] ESPN - Jeff Dickerson discusses Jay Cutler's media availability where Brandon Marshall's tirade and questions about Cutler's leadership were addressed.

Cutler needs some tough love from Bears - David Haugh: Maybe if Bears stop treating Jay Cutler like an elite QB, it will help him become one.

Cutler says he was just following what coaches outlined vs Dolphins - Patrick Finley: Jay Cutler said the Dolphins’ front — eight men at times — and coverage dictated what the Bears were able to do; said the Bears must run if the Patriots drop into zone coverage.

Adversity is nothing new to Cutler - Jon Greenberg: While the onus on "leadership" is a bit silly when there are tangible problems to focus on, such as a mediocre-to-poor defense that can't get off the field, Jay Cutler is a guy who has to take the heat and act cool at the same time.

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Bearsss

Marshall did not call out teammates - Larry Mayer: Jay Cutler understands Brandon Marshall and the frustration that led to the receiver's post-game rant last Sunday. Said Cutler: "Brandon wants to win. He wants to see this team do as well as possible."

Cutler: 'Brandon wants to win' - Jeff Dickerson: Jay Cutler says Brandon Marshall's postgame rant Sunday didn't cross the line, and didn't include personal attacks on teammates.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Are the Bears lacking leadership, and was Marshall's frustration more at himself? [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin discusses the Bears' week.

Injury news - Jeff Dickerson: Kyle Fuller (hand, hip) returned to practice on Thursday wearing a protective brace on his fractured right hand.  Dan Wiederer: Return to action would be a big boost to secondary.

Bears history - Not-Hub Fishbain: With 7 sacks, where does Willie Young come on the "Most sacks in first season as a Bear" list?

Team notes - Larry Mayer: Jeremiah Ratliff emerging as a disruptive force on defense; Bears face tough task taking on Rob Gronkowski, especially at Gillette Stadium; Robbie Gould only one field goal short of Kevin Butler’s franchise record.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Bears need to run the football Sunday in New England, not least to create more 1-on-1 matchups for Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery; injury news and roster notes.

Four Downs - Jeff Dickerson and Jon Greenberg discuss the Bears' locker room leadership, whether Marc Trestman is on the hot seat, and more.

Bears mailbag - Q. Will the Bears bench Cutler? Brad Biggs: /facepalm.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Sherrick McManis answers three off-the-field questions for this week's editions of 3 And Out.

Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.

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Polish sausage

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: When Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees get together -- and it's not often -- the scoreboard operator usually gets a workout.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Vaughn McClure and Michael Rothstein take a look at the Falcons-Lions clash in London.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Pat Yasinskas and Ben Goessling preview Sunday's game between the Vikings and the Buccaneers, two of the lowest-ranked offenses in the league.

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Louise Wener's vocals at their breathiest in this underappreciated album track.  I would rank "The It Girl" as being among the very best albums of the Britpop era.