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Bears finally eliminated from playoff contention - Adam L. Jahns: With the Lions’ 34-17 victory against the Buccaneers at Ford Field on Sunday, the Bears were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Michael C. Wright: Fourth consecutive failure to make the playoffs.
So just where is all this headed for Bears? - Bob LeGere: Barring a major turnaround in the final three games from what has been a hugely disappointing season, it will be time for significant changes, not only on the coaching staff but beyond.
In one way, Bears still control own fate - Barry Rozner: There are jobs are on the line, from the careers of Bears players to the employment of coaches and the futures of executives. The players will have a lot to say in the final three games about who stays and who goes.
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Bears eliminated from playoff contention: What now?
Bears' anxiety will only elevate from here - Dan Wiederer: Bears players and coaches will try to complete the impossible task of keeping both eyes focused on New Orleans while simultaneously peering over their shoulders to see what could be coming.
Trestman's job appears safe - James Neveau: The team feels like it’s in disarray, and the man responsible for so many of the issues is apparently being given a vote of confidence by management to turn it around. Moon Mullin: No changes 'at this point'.
Bears plan to fire Mel Tucker after season - David Just: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reported that the Bears are having a serious case of buyer’s remorse with Jay Cutler and doubt whether he can lead the team to the playoffs.
Bears’ commitment to Cutler can’t be ignored when mulling changes - Adam L. Jahns: The money paid to and owed to Phil Emery, Marc Trestman and Jay Cutler, not to mention the team’s commitment to them, is the most important dynamic at Halas Hall when considering any changes.
Numbers don’t tell the whole story of Jay Cutler - Mark Potash: Whether he continues to struggle or finishes with a flourish, it’s a no-win situation for Cutler. Either way, the Bears are saddled with the same old quandary at QB. Is Jay Cutler the solution or the problem?
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Bearsss
Fuller’s recent struggles can be good for him in long run - Adam L. Jahns: Experience is the only thing Kyle Fuller can gain now from this disastrous season.
X&Os - Hub-or-not-Hub.com's All-22 slideshow from Bears-Cowboys.
Know thy enemy: New Orleans Saints - Brad Biggs: With the Saints being a bigger disappointment than Bears this season, buckle up and prepare for a week of buildup for the Underachiever Bowl before a national television audience.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - Martellus Bennett was Mic'd up Thursday Night at Soldier Field.
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Polish sausage
The process of evaluating quarterbacks - Greg Gabriel: What do the scouts look for?
Know thy enemy: Lions 34, Buccaneers 17 - Game report and [Video] highlights from NFL.com ... Michael Rothstein: Rapid reaction.
Know thy enemy: Vikings 30, Jets 24 (OT) - Game report and [Video] highlights from NFL.com ... Ben Goessling: Rapid reaction ... Teddy Bridgewater audibles to game-winning screen pass.
Heh - Jeff Fisher trolls Washington, sending out six players for the coin toss who had all been drafted with picks from the trade for benched QB Robert Griffin.
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With the greatest of respect for the lads down south - who already have soccer, Gaelic football, hurling, and rugby - when the NFL blathers about why this side of the Atlantic is ready to embrace its own franchise, Imma point to this. Also, when anyone cites PFF as a definitive authority on yer sport.