The Bear's Den: December 19, 2016

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Jahns: Rookie RB Jordan Howard reaches 1,000 yards but would rather win - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears notebook: Receivers also have a big day vs. the Packers.

Emma: Aaron Rodgers Makes John Fox, Bears Pay For Conservative Decision - CBS Chicago - Fox may regret two costly decisions from the Bears' 30-27 loss to the Packers.

Andracki: Bears refuse to play the blame game after another flash of Aaron Rodgers' 'perfection' - CSN Chicago - The Bears let Aaron Rodgers beat them again, this time with a bold 60-yard pass to set up a game-winning field goal.

DeWitt: Week 15 Postgame Show, Bears Unable to Complete Comeback Against the Pack - Da Bears Brothers - - The Chicago Bears were unable to close out another game. Listen as we instantly analyzed the 192nd regular season meeting between these two rivals.

Fishbain: Chicago Bears come up short again despite fourth-quarter comeback - Pro Football Weekly - Bears had too many turnovers and tackling issues in 11th loss of 2016

Mayer: Howard reaches 1,000-yard plateau - ChicagoBears.com - Jordan Howard continued to be a beacon of light in an otherwise bleak season for the Bears, becoming the fifth rookie in franchise history to rush for at least 1,000 yards.

Campbell: Tackle like it's 2013: Bears defense flails in 30-27 loss to Packers - Chicago Tribune - Aaron Rodgers strolled onto the field, raised both arms, then emphatically pumped his fist. It was part elation, part relief after the Packers made a 32-yard field goal as time expired to escape the Bears' furious rally and win 30-27 Sunday at Soldier Field.

Jahns: A look at John Fox's decision-making vs. Packers - Chicago Sun-Times - Thoughts and observations after the Bears' loss to the Packers.

Mullin: Defensive breakdowns sink Bears in loss to Packers - CSN Chicago - CSN Bears Insider John "Moon" Mullin shares his grade for the Bears defense in their 30-27 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

Emma: Bears Have Their Work Cut Out To Catch The Packers - CBS Chicago - Sunday was the latest display in how far the Bears have to catch up with the Packers.

Jahns: Alshon Jeffery a voice of frustration, fight after Packers loss - Chicago Sun-Times - Receiver Alshon Jeffery did his best to keep the swear words at a minimum. But the feelings felt from Bears’ 30-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Morrissey: Sorry, Bears, but effort isn't a scintillating spectator sport - Chicago Sun-Times - Different storyline, same ending in loss to Packers.

Potash: Matt Barkley falters, rallies — and comes up short - Chicago Sun-Times - Matt Barkley inadvertently knocked a reporter’s digital recorder to the floor at his post-game press conference after the Bears’

Mullin: Bears last-second loss to Packers another character statement for the future more than the present - CSN Chicago - The Bears' final-second field goal loss to the Packers on Sunday was just another character statement for the future more than the present.

Andracki: Bears offense continues to progress behind Matt Barkley's fighter mentality - CSN Chicago - Matt Barkley's mental toughness has won over teammates and coaches and has the Bears offense showing signs of life late in 2016.

Fishbain: Matt Barkley digs hole for Chicago Bears, but also keeps them alive with late rally - Pro Football Weekly - Barkley's performance Sunday didn't 'wow' the Packers, but still gave the Bears a chance to win

Mayer: Pace discusses Week 15 key topics - ChicagoBears.com - In a radio interview before Sunday's game against the Packers, Bears general manager Ryan Pace discussed Matt Barkley, Alshon Jeffery's return and other key issues.

Biggs: Bears have nothing to lose, yet playing it safe comes back to burn them - Chicago Tribune - When you have nothing to lose — and the Bears reached that point long ago — manage the game accordingly.

LeGere: Toughest of losses for Chicago Bears - Daily Herald - In the myriad ways the Chicago Bears have found this year to play hard and keep it close but ultimately lose, this one was special, and not just because it was the Packers. To a lot of fans, players and coaches, knocking Green Bay's playoff drive into a ditch would have gone a long way toward mitigating a season with just 3 victories.

Haugh: Cre'Von LeBlanc the fall guy in Bears loss, but who called that defense? - Chicago Tribune - Surrounded by reporters Sunday inside the Bears locker room, the loneliest man in Chicago slowly fastened the buttons on his shirt and fidgeted with his belt. The longer Cre'Von LeBlanc lingered, the better he collected his thoughts, which surely were scattered recalling the decisive play of the Bears' 30-27 loss to the Packers.

Rosenbloom: What was the worst thing the Bears did against the Packers? Where do you start? - Chicago Tribune - The choice (and remember, death is not an option): Bears quarterbacking or Bears tackling? Or Bears coverage or Bears coaching? But say this for the Bears offense: Whether it's Matt Barkley or Jay Cutler, the strip-sack and horrible interceptions consistently remain regular parts of the game plan against the Packers.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Day & Crow: Jaguars fire Gus Bradley, the worst coach in NFL history - Big Cat Country - The Jacksonville Jaguars have fired head coach Gus Bradley.

Florio: Jaguars fired Gus Bradley because they wanted to start the search - ProFootballTalk - After the Jaguars lost on a Thursday night in embarrassing to the Titans, it seemed that Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley was on a week-to-week arrangement.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Florio: Adrian Peterson said "No excuses, I felt good" - ProFootballTalk - Vikings running back Adrian Peterson's return to the lineup on Sunday didn't have a Hollywood ending. Peterson ran six times for 22 yards, fumbled on his longest run of the day and the Vikings were crushed 34-6 by the Colts in the running back's first game since September knee surgery.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Noble: Chicago loses 30-27 as thousands of tickets go unused - Windy City Gridiron - These Bears, man.

FANPOSTS

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