The Bear’s Den, December 6, 2018

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

BEARRRSSSS

Dickerson: Chicago Bears Mitchell Trubisky says he expects to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday - ESPN - Mitchell Trubisky has sat out the Bears’ last two games with a shoulder injury, but the quarterback is confident he’ll be able to play against the Rams on Sunday.

Joniak: Eager Mitchell Trubisky In Line To Start Sunday - 670 The Score - Mitchell Trubisky practiced in full Wednesday for the first time since missing two games.

Emma: Bears Face Formidable Challenge In Rams’ Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh - 670 The Score - Aaron Donald leads the NFL with 16.5 sacks.

Gabriel: 10 Wins Should Be Magic Number For Bears - 670 The Score - The Bears need to earn two more wins in a tricky schedule down the stretch.

Emma: Bears’ Mitchell Trubisky Back From Injury At Full Form - 670 The Score - Mitchell Trubisky practiced fully Wednesday after missing two games.

Stankevitz: Mitch Trubisky won’t play scared in Bears’ return with Aaron Donald looming - NBC Sports Chicago - Mitch Trubisky is set to make his return on Sunday Night Football against the LA Rams and the best defensive player in the NFL, but it won't cause the Bears quarterback to play any differently.

Mullin: For Mitch Trubisky and Bears, Rams represent statement opportunity at highest level - NBC Sports Chicago - The cliché this week is that the Bears-Rams game is a statement game for the Bears. Well, it is. Period.

Under Center Podcast: Mitch Returns! Plus, a Rams preview with J.B. Long - NBC Sports Chicago - JJ Stankevitz and Cam Ellis look at what to expect from Mitchell Trubisky in the extremely high likelihood he plays Sunday night

Mayer: Bears confident Trubisky will play versus Rams - ChicagoBears.com - Matt Nagy expressed optimism that Mitchell Trubisky will start Sunday night’s game against the Rams—and that was even before the quarterback was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

9 questions to test your knowledge of Bears-Rams history - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears will host the Los Angeles Rams Sunday night at Soldier Field. How much do you know about the two teams? Take this nine-question quiz to test your knowledge.

Mayer: Kwiatkoski hosts ‘Care For Real’ toy drive - ChicagoBears.com - Bears inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski on Tuesday made the second of two appearances at a Bloomingdale’s North Michigan Ave. Fashion Store to benefit his 2nd annual toy drive with Chicago-based nonprofit Care for Real.

Wednesday weigh-in: Bears prepping for Rams - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to resume preparing for Sunday night’s clash with the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field.

Medina: He's Baaaaaaack - Mitch Trubisky Was a Full Participant at Bears Practice on Wednesday - Bleacher Nation - Mitch Trubisky is back in the saddle with no limitations.

Medina: Mitch Trubisky Speaks - Living and Learning with Goff, Nearing 100 Percent, A Veiled Shot at Fox? More - Bleacher Nation - Mitch Trubisky speaking optimistically about his playing status will make you feel better about things.

Hughes: Thoughts on the NFC Playoff Picture With Four Games Remaining - Da Bears Blog - It’s been a long time. A long, long time. In 2013 the Bears had a chance to make the playoffs over the final month but they were 6-6 at this stage and a definitive mediocrity. Per Football Outsiders, the Bears have an 85.1% chance to win the NFC North and a 96.3% chance of making the postseason. This is the kind of piece I’ve wanted to write for a long, long, long time.

Potash: Analyzing the Bears’ successes, hurdles as home stretch begins - Sun Times - All postseason prospects for this team are based on them getting better in the final month.

Potash: Kareem Hunt situation too hot for Bears to handle - but stay tuned - Sun Times - And if the NFL ever deems Hunt worthy of a second chance, the Bears will be among the speculated landing spots.

Biggs: How will the Bears protect Mitch Trubisky from QB menace Aaron Donald of the Rams? - Chicago Tribune - Rookie left guard James Daniels faces the biggest challenge of his football career as he'll be asked to block Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the odds-on favorite to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Sunday night. How will the Bears protect Mitch Trubisky?

Kane: Mitch Trubisky says he's 'really close' to 100 percent, expects to play Sunday against Rams - Chicago Tribune - Bears coach Matt Nagy said Wednesday he has a “strong” feeling quarterback Mitch Trubisky will play Sunday night when the Bears host the Rams at Soldier Field.

Biggs Bears Q&A: Is the defense struggling against big backs? What's the prognosis for Kyle Long's return? Are Chase Daniel's hands too small? - Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs answers your Bears questions weekly. Lot of folks up in arms over the performance of the defense lately. What's the prognosis for a late-season return by Kyle Long? Are Chase Daniel's hands too small? Plus much more.

Kane: Can the Bears beat the Rams on Sunday night? Check the numbers. - Chicago Tribune - Here’s a look at the Bears by the numbers as they prepare to host the Rams on Sunday at Soldier Field (7:20 p.m., NBC).

Wiederer & Kane: 5 things we heard from Bears assistant coaches, including Mitch Trubisky’s future as a runner and Eddie Jackson’s unusual processing ability - Chicago Tribune - Quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone said he doesn’t believe Mitch Trubisky will be more hesitant as a runner when he returns from his right shoulder injury.

Wiederer & Campbell: How should the Bears and other NFL teams assess character when evaluating players like Kareem Hunt? - Chicago Tribune - After TMZ video surfaced of Kareem Hunt shoving and kicking a teenage girl during an altercation last winter, the running back was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs. Now that he's a free agent, will the Bears consider signing Hunt?

Meet the Los Angeles Rams (with Derek Ciapala of the Rams Talk Podcast) - Da Bears Brothers Podcast - Da Bears Brothers kick off their Week 14 preview by gaining a firsthand scouting report with everything you need to know about the Los Angeles Rams.

Ellis: Mitch Trubisky expects to play on Sunday night against the L.A. Rams - NBC Sports Chicago - Both Trubisky and Coach Nagy seem cautiously optimistic that the QB will start on Sunday night.

Finley: Bears QB Mitch Trubisky ready to face old roommate Jared Goff - Chicago Sun-Times - Mitch Trubisky will look across the field Sunday night and see the best team the Bears have played this season — and his old roommate.

Potash: Two keys for Bears vs. Rams - Mitch Trubisky starting - and finishing - Chicago Sun-Times - But if the risk of injury is great in any game, it’s doubly so in this one, with Donald on the field and Trubisky recovering from a sprained shoulder.

Jahns: Rookie guard James Daniels faces best test yet in Aaron Donald - Sun Times - The Bears will need rookie guard James Daniels to play well against Rams superstar Aaron Donald.

Morrissey: Bears winning, having fun; Packers losing, derailing - Sun Times - This is a role reversal so abrupt, so unnatural that people on both sides of the Illinois-Wisconsin border are dealing with whiplash-type symptoms.

Finley: Mitch Trubisky update: Bears QB expects to play Sunday against Rams - Sun Times - Mitch Trubisky hurt his right shoulder when Vikings safety Harrison Smith hit him late on a Nov. 18 slide.

Telander: Matt Nagy keeps it cool with Akiem Hicks touchdown play called Freezer - Sun Times - If the sight caused your brain to drift back to images of William “the Refrigerator’’ Perry carrying the ball for coach Mike Ditka, well done.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Is Jim Harbaugh trying to get back to the NFL? – ProFootballTalk - At every stop on his coaching tour, Jim Harbaugh has stayed exactly four years. And as he ends his fourth year at Michigan, the question becomes whether the time has come for Harbaugh to move on, and to move out.

NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 14 - NFL.com - A number of teams can punch tickets to the postseason this week. Here are the complete NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 14

It’s not the NFL, but pro football will return in 2020 as XFL selects St. Louis for franchise |- stltoday.com - The XFL will provide an opportunity to watch pro football from February through April in the Dome at America’s Center. Ken’s Note: St. Louis is the closest team to Chicago, but I doubt seriously they will get much support from the upstate fans. Having said that, downstate fans might have something to root for in the new league.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Vikings’ Playoff Chances Pretty Good Despite Lackluster Performance - Daily Norseman - Well, they may not be as much of a Super Bowl favorite as they were to begin the season, but the Vikings still have a pretty good chance to make the playoffs with four games left to play. A more...

Packers Week 14 Injury Report: Several key players sat out Wednesday’s practice - Acme Packing Company - And one specialist was injured late in the session, potentially forcing a roster move soon.

Detroit Lions facing a beat-up Arizona Cardinals team - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions aren’t just facing a bad team. They’re facing one ravished by injuries.

Detroit Lions Week 14 injury report: Matthew Stafford dealing with a back injury - Pride Of Detroit - After a rough week against the Rams, the Detroit Lions quarterback is dealing with a sore back on Wednesday.

Vikings work out another CFL star in CB Winston Rose - Daily Norseman - He led the CFL in interceptions this season

Rams RB Malcolm Brown out 8-10 weeks, will miss rest of 2018 (UPDATED) - Turf Show Times - John Kelly and Justin Davis will now have a chance to prove they were worth the wait.

LA Rams at Detroit Lions film review: Aaron Donald destroys Motown - Turf Show Times - Donald’s game against the Lions would have been a banner day for any other defensive lineman. For AD99, it’s just another Sunday.

LA Rams at Detroit Lions: Five Lions to watch revisited - Turf Show Times - The Rams successfully clinched the NFC West for the second straight year as the shorthanded Lions couldn’t overcome Gurley and Co.

LA Rams RB Todd Gurley wins NFC Offensive Player of the Week - Turf Show Times - Another week, another award.

Dickerson: Chicago Bears Mitchell Trubisky says he expects to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday - ESPN - Mitchell Trubisky has sat out the Bears' last two games with a shoulder injury, but the quarterback is confident he'll be able to play against the Rams on Sunday.

Joniak: Eager Mitchell Trubisky In Line To Start Sunday - 670 The Score - Mitchell Trubisky practiced in full Wednesday for the first time since missing two games.

Emma: Bears Face Formidable Challenge In Rams' Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh - 670 The Score - Aaron Donald leads the NFL with 16.5 sacks.

Gabriel: 10 Wins Should Be Magic Number For Bears - 670 The Score - The Bears need to earn two more wins in a tricky schedule down the stretch.

Emma: Bears' Mitchell Trubisky Back From Injury At Full Form - 670 The Score - Mitchell Trubisky practiced fully Wednesday after missing two games.

Sunderbruch: The Chicago Bears’ Season Is Over. Obviously. - Windy City Gridiron - There is no time for a voice of calm reason. Last Sunday’s loss means fans much panic.

Zeglinski: He’s back - Chicago Bears Mitchell Trubisky a full participant at Wednesday’s practice - Windy City Gridiron - All that’s missing is a two-word fax. Er, tweet.

Link's 2018 Chicago Bears Rush Report 2018: Week 13 at the Giants - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears defense was great in the first half but struggled a little bit in the second half. Given the offensive line struggles by the Giants this season and the fact that Eli Manning is a bit of a...

Berkes: Fun with Numbers - Looking at some key Bears statistics - Windy City Gridiron - A turnover differential deep dive, some team defense numbers, and quick hits on Trubisky, Mack, and Cohen

Leming's Bears Mailbag: Trey Burton’s role, Leonard Floyd’s fifth-year option, playoff scenarios and much more - Windy City Gridiron - Week 14’s mailbag is another loaded edition, as we’ll look at future off-season plans and what the Bears need to do to position themselves for a playoff run.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Sunderbruch: The Chicago Bears’ Season Is Over. Obviously. - Windy City Gridiron - There is no time for a voice of calm reason. Last Sunday’s loss means fans much panic.

Zeglinski: He’s back - Chicago Bears Mitchell Trubisky a full participant at Wednesday’s practice - Windy City Gridiron - All that’s missing is a two-word fax. Er, tweet.

Link's 2018 Chicago Bears Rush Report 2018: Week 13 at the Giants - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears defense was great in the first half but struggled a little bit in the second half. Given the offensive line struggles by the Giants this season and the fact that Eli Manning is a bit of a...

Berkes: Fun with Numbers - Looking at some key Bears statistics - Windy City Gridiron - A turnover differential deep dive, some team defense numbers, and quick hits on Trubisky, Mack, and Cohen

Leming's Bears Mailbag: Trey Burton’s role, Leonard Floyd’s fifth-year option, playoff scenarios and much more - Windy City Gridiron - Week 14’s mailbag is another loaded edition, as we’ll look at future off-season plans and what the Bears need to do to position themselves for a playoff run.

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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