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Emotionless Bears going through the motions - Greg Gabriel: There’s an obvious disconnect between the players and the coaches. Good NFL players don’t play with the lack of emotion that the Bears players have shown, unless there’s some sort of disconnect.
5 storylines to watch as Bears play out string - Rich Campbell: Linebacker corps in transition headlines a list of things to watch after the Bears are eliminated.
Bears players to watch - Patrick Finley picks out developing- and other noteworthy Bears players to watch during the final four weeks of a lost season. James Neveau: Four reasons to watch final four Bears games of 2014.
Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Subscribed to'). Check out David "OSS" Taylor's CheekyMonkeyArt prints and t-shirts. Den pic in hi-res.
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Chicago Bears 17, Detroit Lions 34
What we learned in loss to Lions - Larry Mayer identifies four things he learned in the Bears' Thanksgiving loss to the Lions Thursday at Ford Field.
Bears eschew runs for short passes - Mini-Larry: Facing the NFL's top-ranked run defense in Detroit, the Bears used their short-passing game as an extension of their running attack.
Game notes - Bob LeGere: Bears' play-calling inexplicably puzzling again; Q1 scoring drought over; O-line has changed 9 times this season; Willie Young takes Andre Fluellen's sack celebration in friendly spirit; injury news.
Game notes - Bob LeGere: Despite record, Bears say they aren't packing it in; Willie Young thinks defense still needs to gel; Robbie Gould ties Kevin Butler's franchise record for career FGs; more from the game.
Willie Young: I won’t get fined for roughing penalty - Patrick Finley: DE convinced that once NFL officials watch the replay of his roughing the passer penalty Thursday, they won’t fine him. Michael Rothstein: Willie Young enjoyed facing former team.
Game grades - Brad Biggs' film review. Pat O'Donnell had a good game. Everyone else... not so much.
Photos - From ChicagoBears.com: On the sideline ... in the locker room ... photo journal.
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Lance Briggs placed on IR
Briggs placed on IR with groin injury - Larry Mayer: The Bears on Friday placed veteran Lance Briggs on injured reserve with a groin injury, meaning that he will miss the final four games of the season.
Lance Briggs done for season, and as a Bear - Dan Wiederer: After missing only four games in his first 10 seasons, injuries have derailed Briggs the last two years.
End of an era? - Patrick Finley: Only four players have started more than Lance Briggs’ 170 games: Walter Payton, Olin Kreutz, Brian Urlacher and Mike Singletary.
Briggs exit closes an era in Bears defense with unsettled futures ahead - Moon Mullin: The bigger question than what’s next for Briggs is what’s next for the Bears, who have bet their futures at linebacker in Jon Bostic and Shea McClellin.
[Video] ESPN - Michael C. Wright discusses the team's decision to place Lance Briggs on IR due to a groin injury and what it means for Briggs' future in Chicago.
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Bearsss
10 16 Thoughts - Brad Biggs: A bad day against the pass could have been worse.
10 Thoughts - Patrick Finley: To put it mildly, the 5-7 Bears have question marks as they prepare for Thursday’s home game against the Cowboys.
Thanksgiving failure a scathing indictment of Emery regime - James Neveau: Everything is awful.
Buy back our love, Bears - Tim Baffoe: Massive change needs to occur if this team is to have any hope of erasing one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history and competing next season.
Bears history - Don Pierson: Walter Payton is the greatest running back in Bears history. Where does Matt Forte rank? [As high as any in Rome! - Den]
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, Mike Reiss: Sunday's matchup at Lambeau Field is one of the most highly anticipated games of the season ... 'More differences than similarities' in Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers ... Packers need good luck covering Rob Gronkowski.
Know thy enemy: Vikings - Ben Goessling, David Newton: The Panthers and Vikings have young QBs at different stages of the development process, and both head into Sunday's game trying to end losing streaks.
Cheerleaders - The best of week 12, from NFL.com ... a potential future Mrs Spongie from SI.com.
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Seems like the weather's turning in Chicago next week, so enjoy it while it lasts!