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Loss to Lions adds to disturbing negative franchise trend - Moon Mullin: With widening of talent gap with Lions and possibly Vikings instead of narrowing gap with Packers, difficult to see coach, GM staying.
Gould unhappy with recent events - Is-Hub Arkush: One of the Bears' most respected and veteran leaders vented his frustrations publicly, didn't offer head coach an endorsement when given the chance. [Audio] Robbie Gould on the Spiegel and Mannelly Show.
Gould: This season not the Chicago Bear way - Michael C. Wright: Robbie Gould spoke out on scapegoating of Jay Cutler, lamented the change the organization has undergone in the transition to Marc Trestman. Adam L. Jahns: Has Cutler's back, dismayed at noise from locker room ... [Video] ... Charles Tillman (mildly) disagrees [with Video].
Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Follow'). Oompa Loompa doompadee doo. Den pic in hi-res.
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Chicago Bears 14, Detroit Lions 20
They said it: Bears-Lions - ChicagoBears.com: Read what national publications Sam Householder had to say about the Bears' 20-14 loss against the Lions. [He's kind of a big deal for an eight-year-old! - Den]
What we learned in loss to Lions - Larry Mayer: The gap between the Bears and top teams in the NFC North remains wide.
QB change doesn’t spark Bears offense - Dan Durkin: Judging by the regression on offense this season, which is Trestman’s supposed specialty, it’s safe to conclude this team isn’t just bad but also pointed in the wrong direction.
Loss avoids bad, wrong conclusions - Dan Bernstein: Perhaps it’s for the best that the Lions spared us misplaced optimism and improper conclusions from a single game’s outcome. There is be no "I told you so" for Trestman after his defiant move that was a clear attempt to expose his boss.
Game notes - Larry Mayer: Willie Young suffers torn Achilles, Robbie Gould to miss fourth straight game on Sunday; Dominic Raiola suspended; Marc Trestman on Christian Jones, Alshon Jeffery, and his own future.
Raiola suspended one game without pay - Michael Rothstein: NFL suspends Dominic Raiola for sixth "safety-related rules violation since 2010." ... has no one to blame other than himself ... Brandon Marshall: "He's a dirty player, and a worse human being." ... "would love to get this fake tough guy in the ring."
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Marshall's comments on Doiminic Raiola.
Game grades - Brad Biggs: Loss to Lions a case of what could have been. Moon Mullin: Superb performance by special teams.
Stock Watch - Patrick Finley with a look at which Bears players are rising and falling after Sunday’s loss.
[Video] PostGame Live - Monsters of the Game vs Lions.
[Video] View from the Moon - Moon Mullin and Jen Lada after Bears' loss.
[Video] PostGame Live - First thoughts on Bears' loss to Lions.
[Video] - Charles Tillman disappointed with players' intensity.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - All the action on the Bears' sideline from their Week 16 match-up against the Lions.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Ryan Mundy was mic'd up for his interception Sunday at Soldier Field.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Inside the Bears' pregame huddle before they kicked off agaisnt[sic] the Lions in this weeks[sic] Bears Insight.
Photos - ChicagoBears.com: From the sideline ... in the locker room ... photo journal.
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Jimmy Clausen concussed, Jay Cutler to start on vs Vikings
Cutler to replace injured Clausen - Larry Mayer: Jimmy Clausen was diagnosed with a concussion Sunday evening after experiencing delayed symptoms and will not play in the season finale.
With Clausen out, Trestman turns to Cutler - Bob LeGere: Although it was only one week, Marc Trestman said Jay Cutler tried to use his time on the bench to get better.
With Clausen, Bears looked like a team - Look, it's Mike North. Move along, nothing to see here.
Trestman: No fracture with new, old starter Cutler - Patrick Finley: One final awkward moment in a season with more twists and turns than anything at Great America should please veterans annoyed by the way Cutler’s benching made him appear to be a scapegoat.
Going back to Cutler a bad move - Michael C. Wright: Marc Trestman made a move in benching Jay Cutler that he cannot undo. Even if, as he insists, their relationship isn't strained, it's still bad business to play Cutler against the Vikings.
Cutler gives Bears best chance to win, but Fales should start - David Haugh: Emery's job requires him to balance the Bears' long-term interests with short-term gains. Going back to Jay Cutler prioritizes a meaningless game over a potential developmental opportunity for David Fales.
Cutler back as starter, Bears' circus trip rolls on - Rick Morrissey: Winning should be the Chicago Bears way. The rest is what’s left behind by the circus elephants.
[Video] - Is-Hub Arkush reacts to Jimmy Clausen's concussion and the Bears going back to Jay Cutler.
[Video] - Moon Mullin and Kip Lewis on the Bears' wacky QB situation.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Cutler is again Bears' starting QB. Why not try David Fales, and is Cutler due an injury?
[Video] ESPN - Adam Schefter, Chris Mortensen and Louis Riddick discuss the news that Jay Cutler will start the season finale after Jimmy Clausen was diagnosed with a concussion.
[Video] - Kevin Gilbride weighs in on Bears' QBs.
Rich Gannon: Jay Cutler 'just doesn't get it' - Former Trestman disciple: "Now what makes you think all of a sudden (Mike Shanahan) is going to be able to fix this guy?" [...apart from Shanahan having been the only one of his coaches to run an offense that suited Cutler's skillset, you mean? - Den]
The difficulty in trading Jay Cutler - Joel Corry: A look at how the Bears could swing a trade to deal their high-priced QB.
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Bearsss
10 Thoughts - Mark Potash: Bears would be remiss to not go all out to hire Jim Harbaugh; Cutler can only hope for some of good fortune that Clausen got against Lions; Matt Forte pass-blocking has declined of late; more on the Bears.
Team notes - Bob LeGere: Trestman continues to battle through 'adversity'; Lions' Raiola suspended for "stumble"; Willie Young to require surgery for Achilles injury.
[Video] PostGame Live - Looking ahead to Bears' season finale.
Coaching candidates the Bears should strongly consider - Greg Gabriel with half a dozen names, some of whom have been discussed on WCG in recent days.
Is this the worst Bears season in memory? - Barry Rozner: When you consider the expectations this season, the build-up for it, and the buy-in locally and nationally, it's difficult to remember a more disappointing season.
Winston an intriguing question for Bears - Mike Imrem: Would the Bears be desperate enough for a QB to pick Jameis Winston if he dropped to them in the draft? Greg A. Bedard: Worth the trouble?
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Jeff Joniak sits down with Jonathan Bostic on Bears Confidential.
Bears history - Neil Hayes: Former Bear Revie Sorey is still the guard of attention.
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Ditka
[Audio] - Da Coach dishes on the state of the Bears, whether the Patriots are the team to beat in the AFC and more.
Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.
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Polish sausage
Ex-Bear news - Lilly Rockwell: Cedric Benson charged with public intoxication in Austin early Saturday morning.
Know thy enemy: Packers 20, Buccaneers 3 - (NFL.com) Game report & [Video] highlights. Rob Demovsky: Rapid reaction ... Packers excited about NFC North title game ... Packers limp to the finish but secure playoff spot.
Know thy enemy: Vikings 35, Dolphins 37 - (NFL.com) Game report & [Video] highlights. Ben Goessling: Rapid reaction ... Close games still elude Vikings.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein's Rapid reaction: Lions in the playoffs, but right now they don’t look like a team that might have a long stay ... No playoff run if Lions can't shake lethargy.
Dumb last-minute gift ideas for the sports fan in your life - Cy Brown: Some of the most absurd trinkets available to purchase. Add to cart now!
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Joyeux Noël et bonne année!