The Bears Den: November 25, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 13 news & Bears-Bucs analysis

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses the latest news regarding Bears injuries, why the Bears declined a penalty on the last play of the first half Sunday, and the last time two straight Bears games ended with the same final score.

10 16 thoughts - Brad Biggs: Is Stephen Paea's contract status affecting his play?

10 observations - Mark Potash: Lions’ history of struggle offers Bears hope.

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Chicago Bears 21, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13

What we learned in win over Bucs - Larry Mayer discusses four things he learned from Sunday at Soldier Field: Thursday's Thanksgiving Game against the Lions is now relevant.  (CBS): Fast facts from the game.

Bears see improvements following victories - Mini-Larry: It may not be pretty, but the Bears have won two straight games and look to keep the momentum going heading into their Thanksgiving showdown.

Game review - Dan Durkin: To the chagrin of most fans, Mel Tucker has shown the most imagination and creativity with his game plans over the past few weeks, while it’s obvious that the offense lacks confidence.

Game review - Greg Gabriel: This game looked like a lost cause at halftime but whatever was said or done in the locker room worked, as the Bears were a totally different team in the second half.

Young defenders beginning to emerge - Larry Mayer: Watching tape of Sunday’s win, Marc Trestman saw several of his team’s young defensive players produce key impact plays.  Moon Mullin: Impact plays from Christian Jones, Al Louis-Jean.

Game grades - Brad Biggs's film session: Aggressive game plan from Mel Tucker overwhelms Bucs line, makes Josh McCown uncomfortable in pocket.

Game notes - Moon Mullin: Jeremiah Ratliff impressed by Gerald McCoy; offense's part in Bears "rally" suspect; Cornelius Washington gets first NFL sack.  Jeff Dickerson: Trestman explains decision to defer penalty.

[Video] - Adam Hoge on the win over Lovie Smith and the Buccaneers.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Charles Tillman talks Bears' potential second-half turnaround. [KAPCON: 5]

[Video] - Charles Tillman on Bears' win over Buccaneers, what happened at halftime, and how the players prepare for a short turnaround.

[Video] - Adam L. Jahns assesses state of the Bears in wake of win over Bucs.

[Video] - Robbie Gould joined the Sun-Times for an exclusive interview to discuss the win, Lovie Smith and Josh McCown’s homecoming, his missed kick and more.

[Audio] - Dan Hampton: Bears' win was putting a "bowtie on a cowpie".

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Matt Forte was mic'd up Sunday for his two TDs.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - All the action on the Bears' sideline from their Week 12 match-up against the Buccaneers.

View from the enemy - John Breech: The Tampa Bay Times wants Bears to take Josh McCown back, seem to be content with Lovie Smith.

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

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Offense

Cutler: Offense can't dwell too long on mistakes - Michael C. Wright: The Bears plan to install a stripped-down game plan headed into Thursday’s contest at Detroit with just a four-day turnaround.

Bears focus on fixing offensive mistakes before visiting Lions - Rich Campbell: Bears face a Lions offense that hasn't scored more than 24 points since Week 1, but to win likely will require a sharper performance offensively.

[Audio] Trestman: Bears still ‘a long way off’ - A 21-13 win against the Bucs on Sunday left Marc Trestman with a mix of emotions. He was relieved. He was happy, yet left wanting much more.

[Audio] - Olin Kreutz: Bears' offensive woes not just Jay Cutler's fault.

Forte takes pounding, keeps grinding - Barry Rozner: With 112 rushing and receiving yards Sunday, Matt Forte joined Curtis Martin and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players in NFL history with 1,400 yards from scrimmage in each of their first seven seasons.

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Bearsss

[Video] ESPN - Jeff Dickerson: Key storylines as the Bears prepare to face the Lions on Thanksgiving Day.

Are Bears getting Lions at the right time? - Bob LeGere: The 5-6 Bears have won two games in a row, while the 7-4 Lions have dropped two straight for the first time this season.

Injury news - Michael C. Wright: Lance Briggs, Kyle Fuller to undergo further evaluation.  Adam L. Jahns: Jordan Mills, Eben Britton move closer to return.

Team notes - Patrick Finley: Lance Briggs’ groin injury not season-ending, Kyle Fuller's day-to-day; Marc Trestman impressed with rookie backups; injury updates.

Team notes - Dan Wiederer: Short week means no practices before meeting Lions; Christian Jones impressing coaches; more from the game.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Marc Mariani exactly where he wants to be; punt coverage improving; Matt Forte anticipating tough game against a top-ranked defense; injury updates.

Team notes - Dan Durkin: Bears have now begun two weeks of bizarre practice schedules, given their back-to-back Thursday games; Trestman describes offense's regression as 'disturbing'; injury updates.

Bears schedule - Moon Mullin: The Bears need not only to win virtually the rest of their games, but also to have consistent losing by the cluster of teams ahead of them with five games remaining.

If the Bears get to 6-6, there is something wrong with the world - Rick Morrissey sucks / The link will make your brain hurt / Sun-Times, you so fail.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Are wins delaying inevitable for the Bears? [KAPCON: 4]

The immeasurable value of Willie Young - Not-Hub Arkush: Willie Young’s campaign epitomizes a true breakout, but the team being 5-6 makes it difficult for him to truly enjoy his personal success.

Adventures of a specialist warming up during halftime - Adam L. Jahns: Fun stories from current and former Bears of the challenges trying to maintain a kicking routine around a halftime performance.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jeff Joniak sits down with Tim Jennings on Bears Confidential.

Bears doing good things - David Just: Charles Tillman gives Bears tickets away to military veterans on Twitter.

Bears doing good things - Burt Constable: Bears make teen's Make-A-Wish dream come true.

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: Vikings 21, Packers 24 - Ben Goessling's Rapid Reaction ... Teddy Bridgewater's excitement leads to early misfires ... Vikings could mix in no-huddle ... NFL.com [Video highlights].

Know thy enemy: Packers 24, Vikings 21 - Rob Demovsky's Punctual Ponderings ... Capers: Packers need to be 'sharp' against Tom Brady.  Don Banks: Randall Cobb's contract year push has fans sweating.

Know thy enemy: Lions 9, Patriots 34 - Michael Rothstein's Timely Thoughts ... offensive woes show Lions far from being a top team ... defense struggles for first time this season ... NFL.com [Video highlights] ... Ben Estes: NFL won't discipline Lions center for cut block.

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