The Bear’s Den, December 14, 2019

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

Ken’s Note: I hate all things Green Bay, but I will admit that in southern Wisconsin in a little town called Arena, there’s this small independent cheese plant that makes some really killer curds... here’s a little song about Arena Cheese... Damn shame they are Packers fans, though... that Co-Jack is GOOD...

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

BEARRRSSSS

Emma’s Tailgater: Stakes Raised In Bears-Packers Rivalry - 670 The Score - The stakes have been raised in the Bears-Packers rivalry in recent seasons, as they’re again playing meaningful football games.

5@5: Will Mitchell Trubisky Have Another Good Game? - 670 The Score - The Mully & Haugh crew debates a five-pack of questions every weekday.

Bears Rule Out 4 Starters Against Packers - 670 The Score - The Bears ruled out four starters for their game at the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but they should have cornerback Prince Amukamara and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks back.

Bears’ Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Relishing Prove-It Season - 670 The Score - For Bears safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, all he hopes to prove returning to Lambeau Field is what he’s been trying to show all season: He’s still a top-tier safety in the game.

How the Chicago Bears kept their season from unraveling - Chicago Tribune - After enduring a 55-day stretch that included only one Club Dub dance party, the Bears combated their frustration with unity and a solution-oriented push to salvage the season.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers preview podcast - Chicago Tribune - The Bears don't win in Green Bay often, but they have momentum and the Packers offense is not a juggernaut. Rich Campbell and Dan Wiederer break it all down on the Bear Download podcast.

It might be Bear Weather, but Sunday's forecast complicates things for Nagy and Co. - NBC Sports Chicago - If you're hoping for brutal conditions, be careful what you wish for.

Game Preview: Chicago Bears - Green Bay Packers (Week 15) - ChicagoAudible.com - A complete preview of the Chicago Bears Week 15 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Help About to Arrive for Khalil Mack Against Packers - SI.com - Khalil Mack needs 2 1/2 sacks to extend his streak of seasons with double-digit sacks to five, and now it appears he'll get a huge boost toward that number.

Surprise Element No Longer Packer Ally Against Bears - SI.com - The element of surprise no longer comes down completely on the side of the Green Bay Packers, especially when trying to stop Mitchell Trubisky.

Bears Defense Well Equipped to Contain Aaron Rodgers - SI.com - Of course Akiem Hicks can't wait to return to the lineup from injured reserve, but one of the reasons has nothing to do with simply being able to play again after an elbow injury.

Halas, Ditka, Fortmann named to All-Time Team - ChicagoBears.com - In celebration of the league’s 100th season, Bears Hall of Famers George Halas, Mike Ditka and Dan Fortmann have been selected to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.

Mack breaks down Packers matchup - ChicagoBears.com - Heading into Sunday’s game against the Packers, Khalil Mack discusses his opponents, Akiem Hicks’ expected return and the reason Mack’s in Chicago.

Injury update: Amukamara in, Four other Bears ruled out for Sunday - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Friday announced both Prince Amukamara and Cordarrelle Patterson are expected to play, however four players have been ruled out of Sunday’s game in Green Bay including Taylor Gabriel and Bobby Massie.

Chicago Bears’ Prince Amukamara, Akiem Hicks on target to play vs. Green Bay Packers - Chicago Sun-Times - After losing Roquan Smith against the Cowboys, the return of Amukamara and Hicks could be a net gain in a crucial divisional game with the Bears’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread.

The Chicago Bears signed Khalil Mack for moments like these — to stop Aaron Rodgers - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears traded for Mack — and made him the highest-paid defensive player of all time — because of the quarterback playing for the Packers.

‘Halas Intrigue’ Episode 65: The Bears-Packers preview - Chicago Sun-Times - The guys make their Bears-Packers predictions and discuss Akiem Hicks, Aaron Rodgers and — Kris Bryant?

Chicago Bears’ progress — not playoffs — is what matters now - Chicago Sun-Times - The postseason is a faint dream. Building on the team’s recent success is more realistic.

Chicago Bears injury report: Prince Amukamara to face Green Bay Packers, but 4 starters are out - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears did not need to submit a status update on Pro Bowl defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, who remains on injured reserve with an elbow injury. The team figures to activate him Saturday and play him Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers had some action-packed games over the years - Chicago Sun-Times - From World War III game to Robinson’s block, Lambeau Field has provided plenty of drama.

Chicago Bears: 3 keys to beat the Green Bay Packers - Chicago Tribune - The Bears have a real chance to upset the Packers on Sunday in Green Bay. But it will take sharp execution by the offense in the red zone and a few timely big plays by their defensive stars.

Akiem Hicks trending toward playing for Chicago Bears on Sunday - Chicago Tribune - Akiem Hicks' comeback from a gruesome left elbow injury is almost complete.

Chicago Bears will face tough decision on Leonard Floyd - Chicago Tribune - Not bringing back Leonard Floyd for his fifth year would signal that the ninth pick in 2016 didn’t measure up to his draft status. It also would create a sizable void in the Bears front seven.

NFL Week 15 predictions: Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - Chicago Tribune - The Bears take a three-game winning streak to Green Bay. Can they beat their biggest rival and keep their playoff hopes alive?

Bears legends George Halas, Mike Ditka make NFL all-century team - Chicago Sun-Times - The story of the NFL could never be told without either “Papa Bear” or Mike Ditka. Friday night, the league put both men on their all-century team.

Ditka, Halas lead the way as NFL’s All-Time Team’s tight ends, offensive linemen & coaches revealed - NFL.com - On Friday night, NFL Network revealed 18 offensive linemen, five tight ends and four head coaches on the NFL’s All-Time Team. Judy Battista, a member of the 26-person panel that selected the squad, examines the honorees at each spot.

Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers with no help scarier than Mitch Trubisky with tons of it - Chicago Sun-Times - Green Bay has owned the last three decades of the rivalry because Rodgers and Brett Favre have dominated Rex Grossman, Cade McNown, Mitch Trubisky and whoever else the Bears have tried at QB. Ken’s Note. John Lieser, you may be “scared” of Aaron Rodgers but if so, you are the only person in this Den who is. To hell with AR12.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers — What to Watch 4 - Chicago Sun-Times - The Packers’ “Smith Brothers” got started with a big game against the Bears in the season opener. Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith have been going strong every since.

Chicago Bears track toward meager rushing season, but it could be Matt Nagy’s best bet against Green Bay Packers - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears have rarely looked good on the ground this season and set a franchise low with seven attempts in a game. But their next three opponents are vulnerable if they pound it.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Jerry Jones: Expect a marijuana adjustment to NFL’s substance-abuse policy – ProFootballTalk - The MLB no longer tests for marijuana, and the NFL may be following suit, eventually. “I think that you should expect and will expect an adjustment” of the league’s prohibition on marijuana use, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Friday on 105.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Climbing The Pocket: Episode 180 [Extension Time?] - Daily Norseman - Jordan Reid, Myles Gorham, and Yinka Ayinde join Jayson Brown to discuss Kirk Cousins’ play, signing him to a long-term extension, and the matchup vs the Chargers. Ken's Note: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE spend many many many millions of dollars extending Kirk Cousins. PLEASE!

Packers Week 15 Injury Report: Kevin King & Jimmy Graham are questionable - Acme Packing Company - Both Jimmy Graham and Kevin King are listed as questionable for week 15

How the Packers can exploit the Bears’ weaknesses - Acme Packing Company - Robert Zeglinski of SB Nation’s Chicago Bears blog Windy City Gridiron answers our questions about the team.

Bears-Packers Q&A: Mitch Trubisky doesn’t have ‘it’ - Acme Packing Company - Robert Zeglinski of SB Nation’s Chicago Bears blog Windy City Gridiron answers our questions about the team.

Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers injury report: 5 starters declared OUT for Sunday - Pride Of Detroit - That Vikings game really did a number on Detroit’s roster.

Can the current Detroit Lions regime win fans back? - Pride Of Detroit - Can they win anything? Ken's Note: Fans are resilient, so yes they certainly can. Having said that, fans want progress (or at least change that may LEAD to progress. If they don't clean house in the front office and coaching staff, I think it's going to get ugly with the Lions faithful.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Schmitz: What has Mitchell Trubisky done differently in his last two games? - Windy City Gridiron - In his latest video breakdown, Robert S. dives into the tape of the Bears’ games against the Rams, Lions, and Cowboys to find out why Mitchell Trubisky has been so productive in his last two games (and much, much more!)

Zeglinski: Five questions with Acme Packing Company - The Packers aren’t consistent enough - Windy City Gridiron - While Green Bay is in line for an NFC first-round bye, they’re more vulnerable than meets the eye.

Berckes & Whiskey Ranger's Fantasy Football Forum Week 15: The Semi’s - Windy City Gridiron - If you’re still alive in your fantasy leagues, good luck!

Wiltfong: Bears vs. Packers Injury Report - Prince Amukamara is back - Windy City Gridiron - This is the full injury report for both the Bears and Packers in advance of Sunday’s game.

Householder & Berckes: Best Bets - Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers, total, survivor picks - Windy City Gridiron - Blind faith is sometimes better than stats and figures, as Jeff proved last week

Wiltfong: Confidence from Bears and Packers fans heading in different directions - Windy City Gridiron - Welcome to SB Nation FanPulse — a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the offseason, we send 32 polls to plugged in fans from each team. Bears fans, sign up HERE to join FanPulse.

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.