The Weekend Bears Den: September 27, 2014 - Chicago Bears week 4 news and Bears-Packers previews

If Bears want to be Packers, then they’ll have to beat them - Rick Morrissey: To get where the Bears want to go — the Super Bowl, presumably — they’ll have to solve the Packers sooner or later. And Cutler will have to figure out how to be more Rodgers-like than Jay-like.

Cutler vs Rodgers as fair a matchup as it ever has been - Mark Potash: In his second year with an offensive coach who knows how to attack defenses, an O-line who can protect him, and big-play WRs and a TE who can catch the ball, at least it’s a fair fight for Cutler this time.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Is Sunday's game a must-win for Bears? [KAPCON: 5]

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Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers: news & previews

Bears players to watch versus Packers - Larry Mayer and Mini-Larry discuss the Bears players they'll be watching on both sides of the ball in Sunday's home game against the Packers.

Game breakdown - The Tribune with team matchups, spotlight on Peppers, game picks, and thoughts on the game.

[Video] Game preview - Is-Hub Arkush, Not-Hub Fishbain and Not-Hub Arkush preview Bears-Packers from Halas Hall.

Game preview - Not-Hub Fishbain and Packers beat reporter Tyler Dunne discuss Sunday's game.  Kev and APC's Jason Hirschhorn do just the same ... 5 Qs with APC.

Game preview - Jeff Dickerson with a look at how the teams match up. Mike North: Packers lack skill players to beat the Bears.

Game preview - Mark Potash: How the Bears and Packers match up.

Game preview - Is-Hub Arkush: Matt Forte and Eddie Lacy are two of the best backs in the league should their coaches decide to use them. James Neveau: Forte could feast against weak Packers run D. Paul Imig: Lacy's struggles due to lack of carries?

[Video] - Jim Miller: How Bears can get the running game going

Game preview - Jeff Joniak's keys to the game.

Game preview - Adam L. Jahns: Is Jay Cutler poised for a big game against the Packers? Plus 9 more questions to keep in mind looking ahead to Sunday's game.

Game preview - Adam L. jahns: In their own words, five Bears and five Packers to watch at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Game preview - Dan Durkin with five matchups to watch: Jordy Nelson will be Kyle Fuller's toughest assignment yet.

Packers unlikely to try to pick on Kyle Fuller - Brad Biggs: Fuller's maturity is something that impressed the Bears in the pre-draft process and going into his fourth game, the opponent seems to be looking at him that way already as well.

Injury news - Larry Mayer: Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Jared Allen (illness) both missed practice Friday and are questionable for Sunday’s game against the Packers.

Houston, Young laying it on the line - Patrick Finley: Lamarr Houston is aware he isn’t Julius Peppers’ direct replacement; Willie Young says it's crucial to move Rodgers out of the pocket.

X&Os - Matt Bowen: Can Bears force Aaron Rodgers into passes he doesn't want to make?  5-man blitz could be effective against Packers.

Game preview - Adam L. Jahns: Emphasis on mechanics has made difference for Jay Cutler, says Cavanaugh; looking at the Packers’ defense with Aaron Kromer; key players to watch from each team; unsung spotlight on Jordan Mills.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - The panel discuss Jay Cutler's history vs the Packers. [KAPCON: 5]

Team notes - Bob LeGere: DeCamillis OK with returners taking chances; next man up on defense; backup WRs getting more practice reps with Marshall out; injury updates.

Team notes - Adam Hoge: Big game for Conte; Jared Allen and Brandon Marshall likely to be game-time decisions; more injury news.

Team notes - Dan Wiederer: Can Cutler maintain composure once again as he did against Jets?  Plus, Bears need a better run game, and must do so without Tony Fiammetta.

Stats & Info - David Just: STATS break down the Packers' offensive speed, and the Bears' pass-first offense. PFF on Cutler-Rodgers, Kyle Fuller’s coverage.

Bears gear up to face Julius Peppers - Larry Mayer: The Bears are gearing up to face former teammate Julius Peppers, now an outside linebacker with the rival Packers.

[Video] ChicagoBears.com - A roundup of players and coaches speaking throughout the week as the Bears prepare to take on the Packers at Soldier Field.

Know thy enemy - ChicagoBears.com with a photogallery to preview the starters for the Packers.

Know thy enemy - Brad Biggs with a scouting report on Eddie Lacy.  Why is last season's offensive rookie of the year struggling so far in 2014?

Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky: Having Clay Matthews back a relief for Packers, given his near sack-a-game average against the Bears.

Game picks - ChicagoBears.com: National and local media outlets make their picks for Sunday's divisional showdown between the Bears (2-1) and Packers (1-2) at Soldier Field.  More picks from: ESPN Chicago ... [Video] NFL Live ... Adam Hoge ... Hub-or-not-Hub.com ... Sun-Times.

Madden - Rich Mayor: Virtual Jay Cutler is Virtual MVP as the Virtual Bears beat their NFC North rivals.

Game previews updated 20.30 CT / 02.30 GMT; more buildup in Friday's Bears Den.

Game preview - James Neveau with five matchups to watch. Can AJ Hawk slow down Martellus Bennett?

[Video] ESPN - Jeff Dickerson and Michael C. Wright discuss keys for the Bears' success going into Sunday’s divisional game.

Team notes - Bob LeGere: Willie Young expected to get more playing time this week after Jared Allen missed all week with an illness; Allen "sets tone for guys up front"; Conte not dwelling on ending of last season.

Know thy enemy - Dan Durkin: Through three games, opposing offenses haven’t had much success passing the ball against the Packers, but teams have been able to run the ball with impunity.

Ferguson, Sutton share rookie bond - Dan Durkin: The two defensive tackles have bonded over their shared craft, but have developed a friendship as well.

Game preview: QB - Moon Mullin: Jay Cutler's performance against the Jets is perhaps an indicator that he has taken another step from the impulsive thrower so appreciated by Charles Woodson and the Packers.

Game preview: RB - Moon Mullin: A date with the Packers - ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed - could be the perfect remedy for the run game's slow start.

Game preview: WR/TE - Moon Mullin: A damaged Brandon Marshall isn't necessarily a bad thing for Chicago.

Game preview: O-line - Moon Mullin: Front five will need to keep an eye on where Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews are on every play.

Game preview: D-line - Moon Mullin: The Bears need to dominate a shaky Packers O-line if they want to establish themselves as a top defense in 2014.

Game preview: LB - Moon Mullin: The Bears have improved weekly against the run, but 240-pound Eddie Lacy
is bigger than the backs they have faced so far this year.

Game preview: DB - Moon Mullin: Kyle Fuller and Brock Vereen will be seeing Aaron Rodgers for the first time and the need is for them to take another, this time huge, step up.

Game preview - Chris Boden's three necessities for a Bears victory on Sunday against the Packers.

Receivers coach Mike Groh downplays his influence - Chris Boden: Groh helped mold Alshon Jeffery to Pro Bowl status in the latter's sophomore season, as part of the first pair of wideouts in franchise history to earn that trip to Hawaii in the same season.

A few final updates ahead of the pregame show with Steven & Sam, 08.45 CT / 14.45 GMT:

Game preview - Alan Ferguson: Aaron Rodgers will seek to bounce back from one of the worst performances of his career, while denying the Bears a third consecutive victory and their first at home this season.

Bears set to battle rival Packers - Larry Mayer: The Bears will try to win their third straight game and at least maintain a share of first place in the NFC North when they host the rival Packers Sunday at Soldier Field.

Cutler, Rodgers off to very different starts - Barry Rozner: Jay Cutler and the Bears host Aaron Rodgers and the Packers at a time when the home QB has better numbers and more weapons. Will this be a changing of the guard, or just more of the same?

Despite slow start, Forte will be a factor - Bob LeGere: Matt Forte is off to a slow start for a number of reasons, but Sunday could present the best opportunity yet of the young season for him to break out with a big game.

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Bearsss

The balancing act of Martellus Bennett - Rich Campbell: Martellus Bennett thrives on life balance, as he moves on from August training camp suspension with on-field production and off-field commitment.

[Video] X&Os - Jim Miller and Kip Lewis take a look at the film from last week's game against the Jets and examine some of the key plays that decided the contest, including Ryan Mundy's pick-6.

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 - Ben Goessling: What's different for Teddy Bridgewater as he prepares as the starting QB?

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: How the Lions will replace Joseph Fauria; Eric Ebron could see more snaps.

Best of week 3 Cheerleaders - Galleries from NFL.com [potential future Mrs Spongie spotted at 40/40] ... SI.com ... SportingNews.

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Something about this seems oddly appropriate for WCG musicals week, but I can't... quite... put my finger on it.