The Bear’s Den, December 22, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS

Seifert: The secret to turnarounds for Bears, Colts? The right coaching staffs - ESPN - Matt Nagy and Frank Reich didn’t do it on their own. Smart assistant-coach hires can be the difference between playoff runs and cleaning house.

Joniak: Keys To Bears-49ers - 670 The Score - The Bears (10-4) are on the road to face the 49ers (4-10) at 3:05 p.m. Sunday.

Emma: Bears’ Kyle Long Returns To Practice - 670 The Score - Long has been out since late October with a foot injury.

Emma: Bears’ Eddie Jackson Doubtful Against 49ers - 670 The Score - Outside linebacker Aaron Lynch is also listed as doubtful.

Stankevitz: Why Bears players and coaches see Josh Bellamy as the ‘perfect fit’ for a championship culture - NBC Sports Chicago - Josh Bellamy wasn't a fan favorite earlier in his Bears career, but he's arguably the most popular player within the locker room of the NFC North champion Bears this year.

Ellis: Bears aren't underestimating Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers' unique offense - NBC Sports Chicago - This game might not be the mismatch that records would indicate.

SportsTalk Live Podcast: Bears try to avoid a letdown against the 49ers - NBC Sports Chicago - David Haugh and Seth Gruen join Kap on the panel.

Mayer: Long takes ‘great first step’ in return to practice - ChicagoBears.com - Bears guard Kyle Long practiced on a limited basis Friday for the first time since injuring his right foot Oct. 28 in a win over the Jets. But there’s no timetable for when he’ll return to game action.

Pick is in: Bears at 49ers - ChicagoBears.com - Local and national NFL analysts make their pick for the Week 16 game between the 49ers and Bears Sunday at Levi's Stadium. Keep track of their weekly record on Chicagobears.com.

Mayer: Players to watch in Bears-49ers 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 49ers., including running back Jordan Howard.

Medina: Mitch Trubisky and the Bears Have a Blueprint Struggling Teams Might Want to Copy - Bleacher Nation - A year after looking at other blueprints around the NFL, the Bears might have something other teams might want to copy.

Medina: John Fox Is Happy for Mitch Trubisky and the Bears … But Still Doesn't Understand Modern Offenses - Bleacher NationDo you remember the run and shoot offense? John Fox - remembers.

Inside 'Club Dub': When Bears win, dance party begins - Chicago Bears- ESPN - Inspired by Joe Maddon, coach Matt Nagy is putting the fun back in the Bears. And that means weekly dance-offs and one glorious victory celebration.

Hughes: On the Prospects of the Bears Making a Super Bowl Run - Da Bears Blog - I was sitting on a stool at The Copper Kettle, my local in Woodside, Queens, and a liquored up friend of mine, a mumbling Irishman known as “Mel” who loves the Pittsburgh Steelers, turned my way. “You know I think you’re going to the Super Bowl,” he said, referring to the Chicago Bears. He actually said, “Joe, binky broofer soul” but I got where his brain was going.

Finley: Bears S Eddie Jackson, OLB Aaron Lynch doubtful for 49ers game - Sun Times - Eddie Jackson doesn't figure to face the 49ers on Sunday.

Finley: Boom! How Matt Nagy's signature celebration connects with Bears players - Sun Times - After his players dance inside “Club Dub,” the postgame party inspired by Cubs skipper Joe Maddon, Matt Nagy brings the boom in his postgame address.

Campbell: 'It's an awesome feeling' - Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks relishes first Pro Bowl bid as he recovers from illness - Chicago Tribune - Akiem Hicks, the Bears' seventh-year veteran defensive lineman, beamed Friday about being named to his first Pro Bowl. His reaction had to wait because he was ill with flu-like symptoms this week.

Campbell: Kyle Long practices with Bears after being designated to return from injured reserve - Chicago Tribune - Bears veteran guard Kyle Long returned to practice Friday after the team designated him to return from injured reserve. The sixth-year veteran injured his ankle Oct. 28 against the Jets.

Kane: From worst to first - How 5 vital traits led the Bears to the NFC North title - Chicago Tribune - The Bears became the 47th team in league history to go from worst to first in the course of a year and one of 24 to have done it since 2003. So how exactly did they get from Point A to Point B?

Biggs: Roquan Smith is trusting his eyes, playing fast and is the runaway leader in tackles for one of the league's best defenses - Chicago Tribune - Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says rookie linebacker Roquan Smith has improved every week as he benefits from practice time. He's trusting his eyes, playing fast and is the runaway leader in tackles for one of the league's best defenses.

Bears vs. 49ers: Tribune writers make their picks - Chicago Tribune - Can the Bears top the 49ers on the road? Tribune writers make their picks

Wiederer: 3 keys for the Bears against the 49ers - Mitch Trubisky faces a historically nonproductive secondary - Chicago Tribune - As the Bears attempt to claim their 11th victory with a Sunday road game against the San Francisco 49ers they must find ways to cover tight end George Kittle while also staying aggressive on offense. The Robbie Gould vs. Cody Parkey kicking battle is also worth watching.

Game Preview: Chicago Bears - San Francisco 49ers - The Chicago Audible Podcast - In this in-depth episode, the guys cover everything you need to know heading into the Chicago Bears' Week 16 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Stankevitz: Itching for his first playoff game, Kyle Long returns to practice with Bears - NBC Sports Chicago - Kyle Long practiced Friday for the first time since injuring his foot Oct. 28, signaling an important step in the guard's journey to potentially return for the Bears' first playoff appearance in eight years.

Two Raiders players vote for Khalil Mack as the best player in the NFL – ProFootballTalk - When the Raiders traded Khalil Mack, they sent away the best player in the NFL -- according to some of his former teammates. NFL Media is currently surveying players for its annual offseason “Top 100” list, ranking the best players in the league.

Finley: 4 Bears questions - On Akiem Hicks’ Pro Bowl blur, Eddie Jackson’s sub and more - Sun Times - Four questions as the NFC North champion Bears hit the road to face the 49ers on Sunday, needing a win — or Cowboys loss — to secure the No. 3 seed:

Morrissey: Who is the Most Impactful Bear in this dream season? - Sun Times - Mack has lifted all boats within 100 nautical miles of wherever he is at any given moment, but you might believe someone else has been more valuable.

Potash: Bears vs. 49ers — What to Watch 4 - Sun Times - The 49ers are on a pace for the fewest takeaways in NFL history. They have just five for the season — none in the last six games.

Potash: Bears winning war of attrition, but are injuries starting to add up? - Sun Times - Heading into Week 16, the Bears have only three players on injured reserve. A year ago at this time, they had 14 on IR, including nine starters.

Finley: Bears G Kyle Long returns to practice - Sun Times - The Bears guard participated in practice Friday for the first time since being knocked out of the Bears’ Oct. 28 win against the Jets

QB Index, Week 16: Ranking QBs from last four drafts - NFL.com - On Mitchell Trubisky: The Bears quarterback has shown significant progress in his second NFL season, and a lot of smart people fully expect him to be a quality starter. Of course, they also place him lower than Jameis Winston, Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson... so trolling us?

POLISH SAUSAGE

Brooks: Rams’ hopes ride on Jared Goff; Why Patriots can still win AFC - NFL.com - What’s behind Jared Goff’s sudden cold streak? Who will fuel the Patriots’ offense with Josh Gordon out of the mix? Bucky Brooks tackles those questions and takes a closer look at the rise of the Colts and Ravens.

KNOW THY ENEMY

2018 NFL Week 16: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions - Daily Norseman - It’s the final road game of the 2018 regular season

Kevin Stefanski and the Return of Pat Shurmur’s Offense? - Daily Norseman - I was fortunate to have decided (last minute) to attend the Vikings-Dolphins game in person at US Bank stadium. It was kind of surreal to be sitting in such a wonderful venue and watching the...

Jets HC Todd Bowles could be a Packers defensive coordinator candidate - Acme Packing Company - For the second straight week, Green Bay faces an outstanding defensive coach who could be considered for the staff in 2019.

Lions-Vikings injury report: Damon Harrison, 5 others questionable for Sunday - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions’ key run-stuffer returned to practice, but is still questionable for Sunday.

Lions-Vikings podcast: Is John DeFilippo still a viable offensive coordinator candidate? - Pride Of Detroit - Our preview podcast is back!

Can the Detroit Lions spoil the Minnesota Vikings playoff dreams? - Pride Of Detroit - Everything you need to know for Vikings vs. Lions Week 16

Detroit Lions Week 16 preview, prediction: Minnesota Vikings On Paper - Pride Of Detroit - A statistical breakdown and preview of Lions-Vikings.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Berckes' Fantasy Football Forum - Week 16: Flags Fly Forever - Windy City Gridiron - We’ve come to the final week of the fantasy football season. Drape yourself in glory

Wiltfong: Kyle Long returned to practice for the Bears - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears received some good news today when veteran offensive lineman Kyle Long returned to practice.

Wiltfong's Bears vs. 49ers Injury Report: Jackson and Lynch both doubtful - Windy City Gridiron - Here’s the full injury report for the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers in advance of Sunday’s game.

49ers-Bears preview: The Khalil Mack trade hovers over the Week 16 matchup - Niners Nation - He’s pretty good.

Bears vs. 49ers: TV, streaming, odds, playoff scenarios, and more - Windy City Gridiron - This is everything you need to know about the Chicago Bears and the San Francisco 49ers game on Sunday.

49ers-Bears preview: Chicago’s defense is the best, but Mitchell Trubisky might dictate how far this team goes - Niners Nation - The 49ers will need to ratchet up the pressure on the second-year quarterback.

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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WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.