The Bears Den: October 03, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 5 news & Bears-Panthers previews

Points are the true yardstick for Jay Cutler, offense - Mark Potash: The continuity of being in the second year of Trestman’s offense has been impacted by injuries, but the expectations remain high.

Forte never tires of being Bears' go-to guy - David Haugh: On the Bears offense, Matt Forte quietly has become the cog as hard as any to replace. When this week's Sports Illustrated called him the league's most important RB to his team, heads all over town nodded.

Bears' issues so far at a slow burn - Mike Imrem: Some quiet little brushfires have broken out around the Bears since training camp. Would they flare into wildfires if the Bears ever suffer the adversity of a couple consecutive losses?

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). I'm sorry, I can't let you do that, Dave. Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.

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Chicago Bears - Carolina Panthers news & previews

Game preview - Michael C. Wright, David Newton: With seven of 16 NFC teams tied at 2-2, this could be one of those games that propels the winner in the right direction in terms of the playoff hunt.

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

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jeff Joniak breaks down four keys to the Bears' Week 5 match-up with the Carolina Panthers.

[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin: Bears have to mix and match O-line due to injuries; what other issues are on the Bears' minds as they prepare for Sunday?

[Video] Game preview - Mike North: Ron Rivera might want to beat his old team, but the Bears need to win this road game to keep the season on track.

Know thy enemy - Mini-Larry: The Panthers are in a similar position to the Bears heading into their Week 5 matchup, with injuries and inconsistent play impacting both teams.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.1: Jeff Joniak, Tom Thayer and Larry Mayer look back at the Bears' loss to the Packers in week 4.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.2: Joniak, Thayer and Mayer review the Bears' pass rush and discuss the challenges an elite QB can put on a defense.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.3: The trio take a closer look at Cam Newton and the challenges he presents to the Bears' defense.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.4: Jeff, Tom and Larry discuss the Panther's defense and the improvement in the Bears' running game.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Bears Roundtable pt.5: The panel discuss the difficulties Brandon Marshall and Jared Allen will face as they recover from injury and illness.

Know thy enemy - Not-Hub Fishbain: Bears, Matt Forte prep for impressive linebacker duo of Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. Moon Mullin: Fuller vs Benjamin a matchup of NFL’s best rookies.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Trailer for the Bears' match-up with the Panthers in North Carolina.

Photos - ChicagoBears.com with photos from practice this week at Halas Hall as the team prepares for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

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Jermon Bushrod injury; availability for Sunday's game in doubt

Bushrod sits out practice with injury - Larry Mayer: Jermon Bushrod's availability for Sunday's game against the Panthers is in question after he sat out Thursday's practice with a knee injury he sustained in Wednesday's workout.

Bushrod's availability for Panthers in jeopardy - Michael C. Wright: Limited with a knee injury during Wednesday's workout at Halas Hall, Jermon Bushrod was unable to participate Thursday in the team's practice; other injury news.

O-line injuries forcing Bears to improvise - Bob LeGere: Jermon Bushrod's knee/ankle injury is the latest bit of misfortune for an O-line that has been without two starters since halftime of the season opener.

O-line out of luck? Jermon Bushrod injured - Rich Campbell: Backup lineman Michael Ola could shift to left tackle from left guard against the Panthers.

Bushrod's ankle may be bigger worry on scrambling O-line - Moon Mullin: The Bears are unlikely to reveal their personnel slotting until the required 90 minutes before game time on Sunday.

Injury notes - Adam L. Jahns: Good and not-so-good news on the injury front from Thursday practice.

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Bearsss

Cutler still seeking chemistry with third receivers - Dan Durkin: Given the Bears’ preference for the 11 personnel grouping, it’s surprising how seldom the third WR has been utilized this season.

Who gets fired if Bears lose to this battered team? /facepalm - Rosenmoan wants to blow up the front office and coaching staff.

Fuller chosen NFL rookie of month - Larry Mayer: After an impressive start to his career, Kyle Fuller on Thursday was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Kyle Fuller's highlights that helped name him NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month of September.

Team notes - Dan Durkin: Aaron Kromer demands better efficiency in red zone and on offense as a whole; injury news.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Lance Briggs has some interesting connections to the Panthers; Garza and Ola to return to starting roles when healthy; Kyle Fuller named DROTM; injury and roster news.

Joniak’s Journal - Jeff Joniak: Challenges on O-line; Kyle Fuller deserving of award; Ka'deem Carey on his spin move; notes on Panthers' third down offense.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Kyle Long fined for unnecessary roughness on Micah Hyde; injury and roster news.

Team notes - Rich Campbell: Brandon Marshall's return to full participation practice a boon for Bears; DROTM Kyle Fuller to face OROTM Kelvin Benjamin; more injury and roster notes.

Hines Ward: Brandon Marshall needs to sit out a game - Ward believes the Bears' top pass catcher should have his focus on the entire season instead of on this Sunday's game [Video].

X&Os - Dan Durkin: Finding bright spots in the 38-17 loss to the Packers is challenging, but the play that Alshon Jeffery scored on warmed the hearts and pleased the eyes of Bears fans.

3 Bears reminisce about their stints at Hargrave Military Academy - Patrick Finley: Willie Young, Ego Ferguson and Jeremiah Ratliff have more in common than being members of the D-line unit.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jimmy Clausen answers three off-the-field questions for this week's edition of 3 And Out.

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Polish sausage

NFL draft coming to Chicago in 2015 - Brad Biggs: Event to be held at Roosevelt University's Auditorium Theatre April 30 through May 2, with a fan festival to be held at nearby Grant Park. How Emanuel lured the NFL draft to Chicago.

Know thy enemies: Vikings 10, Packers 42 - NFL.com game report and [Video highlights] ... Rapid Reaction from Rob Demovsky, Ben Goessling ... More of the same for Christian Ponder.

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I picked up the Bioshock series in the Steam summer sale but haven't played them yet.  No spoilers!