The Bear’s Den, December 15, 2018

A SPECIAL REQUEST

WCG reader & long time poster LostInSTL made the following request in yesterday’s Den’s comments, and Denmaster Ken totally agrees with it. Here’s what LostInSTL stated:

I’m always happy to see the Bears succeed and the Packers fail...

but one favor I’d like to ask of everyone here. Can we please stop with the comparisons of AR12 to a girl as some sort of put down? Think about what you are saying. You are saying that being female is inherently bad and weak and deserving of ridicule. I’m fairly certain that most of the people here do not believe that being female is wrong or bad; or maybe the “opposite” of being a strong, successful person. Beyond the fact that there are loads of women that can probably kick your ass, it’s one of those old school put downs that needs to go away soon.

Ken’s Note: Definitely. While we are at it, can we please move past the whole “Erin” thing as well. Instead of unfairly mocking an entirely unrelated gender, how about we mock AR for the many, many things about him that are actually true, like his obnoxious personality, his constant need to be famous at all costs, his lack of leadership, those asinine commercials he does, and (certainly not least) the fact that all Packers should be mocked without mercy.

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

BEARRRSSSS

Game Preview: Chicago Bears - Green Bay Packers - The Chicago Audible Podcast - In this in-depth episode, the guys cover everything you need to know heading into the Chicago Bears' Week 15 game against the Green Bay Packers. Ken's Note: This is Da Bears Brothers under their new branding. Same great taste, new name!

Moreano: New-found Running Game Shouldn’t Be One And Done - Chicago Audible Blog - The Bears found their running game last week vs. the Rams, and if Chicago wants to go far in the playoffs, they must continue to utilize it moving forward. Ken's Note: This is Da Bears Brothers under their new branding. Same great taste, new name!

Letizia: Kyle Fuller - The Case for All-Pro Corner - Chicago Audible - You can no longer deny that Kyle Fuller is one of the top cornerbacks in the league.

Emma: Bears’ Allen Robinson, Eddie Jackson, Bilal Nichols Questionable Against Packers - 670 The Score - The three Bears listed on the injury report are all expected to play Sunday.

5@5: Mitchell Trubisky In Danger Of Losing Confidence? - 670 The Score - The Mully & Haugh crew debates a five-pack of questions every weekday.

Shepkowski: Time For Bears To End Packers - 670 The Score - After years of being the little brother, the Bears have the chance to punch back.

Emma: When It Comes To Trick Plays, Bears Coach Matt Nagy Keeps Thinking Big - 670 The Score - Matt Nagy keeps leaving wonder to what’s next.

Hoge’s 10 Bears Things: Forget 2019, Bears Are Super Bowl Contenders Now | WGN Radio - 720 AM - While making a radio appearance on “The Mike Heller Show” in Wisconsin this week, I was asked a question that caught me off guard for a second. “What is the ceiling for the Bears this year?,” Heller asked me. “What would be deemed a success, winning a playoff game? Is this a Super Bowl year? Getting to the NFC Championship? What would that be?”The first part was easy. The ceiling is the Super Bowl. The Bears’ defense proved that last Sunday night against the Rams.

BEARS vs. PACKERS: Week 15 Preview – December 16, 2018 - Bleacher Nation - It's a revenge game with the NFC North crown hanging in the balance.

Bears Injury Report: Allen Robinson Back at Full Participation, Bilal Nichols and Eddie Jackson Get Maintenance Days - Bleacher Nation - Allen Robinson, Eddie Jackson, and Bilal Nichols are questionable. But in Matt Nagy's mind, they're expected to play.

Medina: Back Off, Pack! Will Green Bay Consider Bears DC Vic Fangio for Head Coach? - Bleacher Nation - One year after being passed up for the Packers' DC opening, Green Bay could interview Vic Fangio to fill the void at head coach.

DaBearsPod: Packer Week with Cam Worrell [AUDIO] - Da Bears Blog - Cam Worrell discusses tons of stuff, including why Vic Fangio insists upon dropping Khalil Mack into coverage, what it’s like to play on an elite-level defense, the importance of “Packer Week” and Mike Vick quitting at Soldier Field in 2005.

Riddick predicts Bears will win NFC - ESPN Video - Louis Riddick doubles down on his prediction that the Bears will be in the Super Bowl.

Chicago's Matt Nagy picked by AP writers top coach in 2018 - Associated Press - Matt Nagy is making an impressive first impression as an NFL head coach. Nagy has helped develop second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky into a solid NFL starter, convinced Vic Fangio to stay on as defensive coordinator, and has the Chicago Bears in position to earn their first playoff berth since 2010 in his first year on the job. For doing all that, Nagy was picked as having done the NFL's best coaching job in 2018 in voting released Friday by a panel of 10 football writers for The Associated Press.

Matt Nagy voted top NFL coach by AP panel - Matt Nagy did not receive immediate approval from all Chicago Bears fans when the organization hired him back in January. With his team now on the brink of a division title, approval from the fans has risen exponentially this season. With the regular season winding to a close, Nagy was voted by the Associated Press as the NFL's top coach for this season. A total of 10 writers voted and Nagy received seven of the first-place votes.

Bobby Massie name Bears player as part of "One Starter Every NFL Team Must Replace in 2019" article - Bleacher Report - The No. 1 objective for NFL teams during the offseason is to improve their rosters by adding depth at shallow positions and acquiring starting-caliber talent to replace underperformers or fill vacant spots... Ken's Note: Massie has actually played quite well this season, and perhaps this writer hasn't noticed that we don't have a first or second round draft pick and the best free agent tackle on the market is a guy named Bobby Massie?

Joniak: Keys To Bears-Packers - 670 The Score - Kickoff is set for noon Sunday from Soldier Field.

Wiederer's 3 keys for the Bears vs. the Packers: Will Aaron Rodgers' record streak without a pick come to an end? - Chicago Tribune - For the Chicago Bears to beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they'll need Mitch Trubisky to play better than he has recently while also trying to slow down Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams.

Bears vs. Packers: Tribune writers make their picks - Chicago Tribune - Can the Bears top the Packers at home Sunday? Tribune writers make their picks

Rosenthal: Why keep a decked-out Packers fan off the field at Bears games? Because it’s their show, not his - Chicago Tribune - This Bears’ court fight with a Packers backer who wanted to wear his team’s garb on the field before Sunday’s game at Soldier Field isn’t about football or preserving some perceived competitive advantage. It’s show biz, baby. Think about a "Hamilton" extra in a 1970s leisure suit. Doesn't work.

Maske: Jon Gruden created 2 playoff teams in his 1st year back in the NFL, but neither is the Raiders - Chicago Tribune - While the Bears and Cowboys thrive with Jon Gruden castoffs, a miserable season winds down in Oakland with questions about whether the $100 million coach can fix the Raiders.

Stankevitz: The Bears have to deliver a knockout blow to the Packers on Sunday - NBC Sports Chicago - There's a chance the Bears could play the Packers in the playoffs, but only if Green Bay wins on Sunday.

Stankevitz: Lack of flags another reason why the Bears’ defense is the NFL’s best - NBC Sports Chicago - Only one team has been whistled for fewer defensive pass interference or defensive holding penalties in 2018 than the Bears' defense.

Perez: Matt Nagy won’t let Bears forget sting of Week 1’s loss to Packers - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy doesn't want the Bears to forget the sting of Week 1's loss to the Green Bay Packers

Players to watch in Bears-Packers game - ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer and Simon Kaufman of ChicagoBears.com discuss the Bears players they'll be watching on both sides of the ball in Sunday’s game against the Packers, including outside linebacker Khalil Mack.

Kaufman: Where to watch, listen to Bears-Packers game - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears will play their 14th regular-season game at noon (CT) on Sunday when they host the Packers. Here's how you can watch and listen to the contest.

Pick is in: Packers at Bears - ChicagoBears.com - Local and national NFL analysts make their pick for the Week 15 game between the Packers and Bears Sunday at Soldier Field.

Finley: A Bears win Sunday could exorcise ghosts of Packers rivalry - Sun Times - The 9-4 Bears can exorcise the demons of their rivalry Sunday. They can clinch their first NFC North title since 2010 with a win against their rivals.

Potash: NFL cheat sheet - Here’s who to watch and why in Week 15 - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears are set up for a role reversal after upset of the Rams. The defense is due for a letdown after letting it all hang out.

Finley: Bears' Matt Nagy named top coach by Associated Press panel - Sun Times - Matt Nagy was picked as having done the NFL's best coaching job in 2018 in voting released Friday by a panel of 10 Associated Press football writers.

Packers at Bears preview: Hoge & Jahns Podcast - Sun Times - The Chicago Sun-Times' Adam L. Jahns and WGN Radio's Adam Hoge break down the Bears' Week 15 matchup against the rival Packers.

Bears beat Packers fan: Russell Beckman wont be able to wear his Green Bay gear on the sidelines Sunday - Sun Times - Judge rules against fan's attempt to wear his Packers garb on the sideline Sunday at Soldier Field.

Potash: After throttling Rams, Bears defense looks to regain fever pitch vs. Packers - Sun Times - But Fangio acknowledged this was a performance to be proud of — a good team rising to the occasion and playing at another level when it needed it.

Finley: Walking boot off, Bears G Kyle Long 'progressing the right way' - Sun Times - The Bears remain open to the possibility their three-time Pro Bowl right guard could return for the season finale.

Finley: Aaron Rodgers hasn't thrown a pick in 368 passes, but the Bears are ready - Sun Times - On Sunday, he blew past Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s NFL-record 358 passes without an interception. He finished the Packers’ victory with 368.

Campbell: Matt Nagy & the Gadget Factory - How trick plays are giving the Bears more than just points on the scoreboard - Chicago Tribune - As coach Matt Nagy repeatedly has dug into his bag of tricks, guided by a mix of panache and bravado, the Bears are realizing a value in them that exceeds points on the scoreboard. Call it team chemistry or morale or excitement that breaks up the grind of a long season.

Kane & Green: That air-raid siren at Soldier Field? It will be back for Sunday's Bears-Packers game after Matt Nagy calls it ‘great’ - Chicago Tribune - There’s good news for fans who enjoyed the Bears’ use of a piercing air-raid siren before important defensive plays in Sunday’s 15-6 victory over the Rams.

Jahns: Five things we want to see from the Bears' offense - Sun Times - Adam L. Jahns' "Inside the Huddle" column appears in game-day editions of the Chicago Sun-Times.

Morrissey: Mitch Trubisky focusing on his game, not Favre, his former idol - Sun Times - Hating all things Packers is a good strategy, but clinching the NFC North title Sunday with a victory over archrival Green Bay is all that matters.

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL Week 15 spotlight: Seattle on fire, Mitch Trubisky under fire - NFL.com - Chicago has a Super Bowl-caliber defense, but what about second-year QB Mitchell Trubisky? Marc Sessler spotlights the players and coaches who matter most heading into a juicy Week 15.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Packers fan loses bid to wear team colors at Soldier Field - Story - WFLD - A Green Bay Packers fan has lost a court battle to wear green and gold on the sidelines of Soldier Field, home of the rival Chicago Bears.

Jimmy Graham: It’s not great when you’re not helping team win – ProFootballTalk - Plenty of things have not gone as hoped for the Packers this season and the move to sign tight end Jimmy Graham could go on that list. Graham has 46 catches for 549 yards and two touchdowns on the year and has been playing with a broken thumb in recent weeks.

Confidence in disappointing Packers inches upwards after win over Falcons - Acme Packing Company - Beating Atlanta was largely expected, so there wasn’t much of an upward jump in confidence numbers this week.

Hirchhorn & Zeglinski’s Packers vs. Bears Q&A: Chicago’s playoff outlook - Acme Packing Company - Robert Zeglinski of SB Nation’s Chicago Bears blog Windy City Gridiron answers our questions about the team’s playoff outlook.

Packers-Falcons Film Room: Four galvanizing moments - Acme Packing Company - A handful of meaningful plays took place last Sunday against Atlanta; let’s rewind some game film to take a closer look.

Hirchhorn & Zeglinski’s Packers vs. Bears Q&A: A look at Vic Fangio’s head-coaching prospects - Acme Packing Company - Robert Zeglinski of SB Nation’s Chicago Bears blog Windy City Gridiron answers our questions about Vic Fangio’s head-coaching prospects.

Detroit Lions - Buffalo Bills injury report: 4 starters out, Stafford questionable, but plans on playing - Pride Of Detroit - It’s a lengthy injury report for the Lions.

NFL Week 14 picks against the spread, totals - Pride Of Detroit - Holiday party hangover edition picks both Saturday and Sunday games.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Silverstein: Let’s beat the Pack and clinch this damn division - Windy City Gridiron - Enough talk. Let’s get these hats.

Berckes' Fantasy Football Forum: The Semi’s - Windy City Gridiron - Your place for all things fantasy football

Wiltfong's Bears vs. Packers Injury Report: Everyone expected to play for Chicago - Windy City Gridiron - This is the full injury report for the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers in advance of their game on Sunday.

Wiltfong: How to watch Bears vs. Packers - Will Green Bay get flagged for holding Mack? - Windy City Gridiron - This is everything you need to know about how to watch the Bears and the Packers on Sunday. TV Schedule, streaming, odds, previews and more!

Wiltfong: Bears’ Fans confident again, but do you like the air raid siren? - Windy City Gridiron - Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse — a survey of fans across the NFL, powered by SurveyMonkey. Each week, we send 32 polls to 100+ plugged in fans from each team. Bears fans, sign up HERE to join...

Zeglinski: Chicago Bears five questions with Acme Packing Company - it’s time for the Packers to retool - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears’ rivals have fallen on hard times this season. But perhaps not all is lost. We get some insight from Acme Packing Company.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert Zeglinski

THE RULES

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