The Bear’s Den, December 13, 2019

Ken’s Note: OPEN THREAD!

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

It’s “that” Friday, it’s Packers week, so you know I’m going there, don’t you?

Ken’s Note: I was going with Lil Dicky - Freaky Friday featuring Chris Brown but it was just too NSFW for me to pull the trigger on. Here’s a link instead if you want to go there...

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

BEARRRSSSS

Finally! Some Mock Drafts That DON’T Have the Bears Using a Second-Round Pick on a QB - Bleacher Nation - Mitch Trubisky’s recent run of competent quarterbacking has momentarily silenced the buzz surrounding the Bears and the possibility of selecting a quarterback

Allen Robinson is the Bears’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Nominee For 2019 - Bleacher Nation - I have gushed over what Allen Robinson has done on the field in 2019, but his nomination to be the Chicago Bears’ representative for the Walter Payton Man of

Ostrowski: What To Wager On In Bears-Packers - 670 The Score - Taking the points is a smart call in a Bears-Packers game that should be close, Joe Ostrowski writes in his best wagers of the week.

Know Your Foe: Bears-Packers Storylines - 670 The Score - Danny Parkins of 670 and Bart Winkler of 105.7 The Fan previewed the Bears-Packers matchup at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

670 Staff Predictions: Bears-Packers - 670 The Score - The Bears square off against the Packers this Sunday, with kickoff set for noon from Lambeau Field.

5@5: Are Bears Mentally Stronger Now? - 670 The Score - The Mully & Haugh crew debates a five-pack of questions every weekday.

Chicago Bears QB Mitch Trubisky brushes off Packers insult - Chicago Tribune - Packers cornerback Tramon Williams seemingly rubbed Trubisky’s face in one of his worst performances of 2019 after the season opener. But Trubisky brushed it off on Wednesday.

Arena League Revenge and Great Boxing: How the Bears are getting ready for their rematch - NBC Sports Chicago - Things are getting creative at Halas Hall this week.

Anthony Miller's earned the Bears' trust. Now he just needs to prove he can keep it.- NBC Sports Chicago - Anthony Miller's found himself back in good faith with the offense. Staying there is the bigger challenge.

Anthony Miller's Timing Ideal for Bears Passing Game - ChicagoBears.com - For Anthony Miller's season to start any slower, he almost would have had to have been placed on injured reserve.

Prince Amukamara Makes Rapid Return - SI.com - The Bears injury report from Wednesday's practice might be regarded by some teams as a disaster heading into a game with so much at stake

Week 15 Key Matchups: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - ChicagoBears - When the Bears travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers Sunday, keep an eye on these matchups.

Chalk Talk: How much will Hicks play Sunday? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses how much Akiem Hicks could play in his expected return Sunday, if Kevin Pierre-Louis has ever been a regular NFL starter and the last time the Bears and Packers met this late in the season with both teams having a winni

Chicago Bears offense strives to stay on a roll Sunday - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears offense heads to Green Bay this weekend with a new-found identity, hoping to continue a recent resurgence that has fueled a three-game winning streak.

Robinson named Payton Man of the Year nominee - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Thursday announced that receiver Allen Robinson II has been chosen as the team’s nominee for the prestigious 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

What Will the Bears Do Regarding Mitch Trubisky's Fifth-Year Option? - Bleacher Nation - If it isn't too early to discuss potential Bears targets in the NFL draft next April, then it definitely isn't too early to contemplate that multi-million. Ken's Note: The Bears will absolutely, positively, without any doubt, stone cold pick up Mitchell Trubisky's fifth-year option. Remember, it's only guaranteed for injury... the Bears can cancel it after season 4.

Chicago Bears nominate WR Allen Robinson for Walter Payton Man of the Year - Chicago Sun-Times - The award, named after the former Bears great, recognizes philanthropy and on-field excellence.

Aaron Rodgers has ‘Li’l Green Bay’ on right side of Bears-Packers rivalry - Chicago Sun-Times - Whether he’s at Piggly Wiggly or on the field, Rodgers relishes his role as the ultimate Bears slayer and gets a chance Sunday to end their playoff hopes.

Chicago Bears predictions: Week 15 vs. Green Bay Packers - Chicago Sun-Times - The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ rivalry game Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Chicago Bears’ Anthony Miller ready for take-off - Chicago Sun-Times - After emerging from the doghouse, the second-year wide receiver has 24 receptions for 313 yards and a touchdown in four games. "I don’t think he’s done," WR coach Mike Furrey said. "He still has a lot more room to grow."

Morrissey: Lambeau Field and all that is right about the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers rivalry - Chicago Sun-Times - A massive 81,441-seat stadium plopped in the middle of a neighborhood of regular folks. It’s absolutely wonderful.

Mitch Trubisky reading his keys has keyed Chicago Bears surge - Chicago Tribune - Mitch Trubisky's touchdown run and TD pass to Anthony Miller against the Cowboys underscore how he has improved his decision-making on ballhandling plays such as RPOs and read option runs.

Cold forecast for Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers game - Chicago Tribune - The forecast for noon Sunday -- when the Bears and Packers kick off for the 200th time in their storied rivalry -- is 17 degrees with a wind chill of 8, according to the National Weather Service.

Kevin Pierre-Louis' big opportunity with the Chicago Bears - Chicago Tribune - The Bears likely will play without their starting inside linebackers for the rest of the season. That provides an opportunity for journeyman Kevin Pierre-Louis.

Allen Robinson is Chicago Bears' nominee for NFL Man of Year - Chicago Tribune - Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson is the team’s nominee for the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Chicago Bears' NFL playoff picture for Week 15 - Chicago Tribune - The Bears are in the hunt but running out of time in the NFC playoff race.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Doug Marrone: We’re all fighting for our jobs – ProFootballTalk - The Jaguars are carrying a five-game losing streak into Oakland for this Sunday’s game against the Raiders and this year’s dismal results combined with last year’s 5-11 record have combined to create a lot of speculation about a coaching change.

Vic Fangio wants to see NFL drop divisions format - NFL.com - Broncos coach Vic Fangio wants to see the league do away with divisions and keep the regular season at 16 games. Fangio says the six best teams in each conference should get a playoff berth.

Former Chicago Bears radio voice Wayne Larrivee still top-notch on Green Bay Packers call - Chicago Sun-Times - Larrivee was the voice of the Bears for 14 years, yet it wasn’t until he left for the rival Packers in 1999 that he understood Chicago sports fans better.

QB Index, Week 15: Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers slip in rankings - NFL.com - The Cowboys’ Dak Prescott and Packers’ Aaron Rodgers slide down the board in NFL.com’s QB rankings after rough outings. See the updated pecking order at the position entering Week 15.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

2020 NFL Draft order: Detroit Lions have about 50% chance at top-5 pick - Pride Of Detroit - Probability is in the Lions’ favor for a top-five pick right now.

Vikings Thursday Injury Report - Daily Norseman - A couple changes from yesterday

Za’Darius Smith’s All-Pro season, versatility holds key to playoff success - Acme Packing Company - Brian Gutekunst raised eyebrows around the league when he handed a top-of-market contract to a part-time Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker. Now, Big Z looks like an All-Pro and could elevate this defense in January.

Packers vs. Bears Week 15 Game Primer: Kickoff time, TV map, tickets, & more - Acme Packing Company - Here’s how to tune in for the 200th playing of football’s most-played rivalry.

NFL Week 15 preview: How Detroit Lions’ draft position can change this week - Pride Of Detroit - This week’s preview podcast focuses on Detroit’s draft stock.

Former Lions tight end Hakeem Valles rips Matt Patricia’s fear-based culture: ‘There’s too much ego’ - Pride Of Detroit - The former Lion did not hold back when talking about his time with Patricia vs. Caldwell.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Hirchhorn & Zeglinski’s Bears-Packers Q&A: Assessing Matt Nagy’s offense in Year 2 - Acme Packing Company - Robert Zeglinski of SB Nation’s Chicago Bears blog Windy City Gridiron answers our questions about the team.

Hirchhorn & Zeglinski’s Bears-Packers Q&A: Chicago disappoints in 2019 despite late-season surge - Acme Packing Company - Robert Zeglinski of SB Nation’s Chicago Bears blog Windy City Gridiron answers our questions about the team.

Zeglinski: Back to the Pack - Windy City Gridiron picks Bears-Packers - Windy City Gridiron - A Bears-Packers December matchup rife with meaning. What more could one ask for?

Wiltfong: Bears nominate Allen Robinson for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award - Windy City Gridiron - On Thursday the 32 nominees for the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award were announced and wide receiver Allen Robinson II was the nominee of the Chicago Bears. The Walter Payton NFL Man...

Householder's Week 15 Game Preview: Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears try to make it four in a row and break a losing streak at Lambeau going back to 2015

Snyder & Berckes' Bears Over Beers: Down with Dallas and Bring on Green Bay - Windy City Gridiron - Bears are on a bit of a roll. Will it continue versus their biggest rivals?

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s The Blitz Network

THE RULES

Windy City Gridiron Community Guidelines - SBNation.com - We strive to make our communities open and inclusive to sports fans of all backgrounds. The following is not permitted in comments. No personal attacks, politics, gender based insults of any kind, racial insults, etc.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

Windy City Gridiron Podcast Channel which includes Bear With Me from Robert Schmitz, Bears Over Beers featuring Jeff Berckes & EJ Snyder, Bears Banter hosted by Bill Zimmerman, and T Formation Conversation from Lester A. Wiltfong Jr.; Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert; and Robert Zeglinski’s The Blitz Network

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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 Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Bill Zimmerman; Like us on Facebook.