The Bear’s Den, December 20, 2019

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

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

BEARRRSSSS

670 Staff Predictions: Bears-Chiefs - 670 The Score - Kickoff between the Bears (7-7) and Chiefs (10-4) is set for 7:20 p.m. Sunday from Soldier Field.

Bears Realize Challenge In Facing Andy Reid-Directed Offense - 670 The Score - Chiefs coach Andy Reid is considered one of the NFL’s greatest innovators, and the Bears will be put to the test against him Sunday night.

Know Your Foe: Bears-Chiefs Storylines - 670 The Score - Danny Parkins of 670 and Carrington Harrison of 610 Sports Radio previewed the Bears-Chiefs matchup this Sunday.

Bears Frustrated By Allen Robinson’s Pro Bowl ‘Snub’ - 670 The Score - The Bears were upset that receiver Allen Robinson didn’t earn Pro Bowl honors amid a season in which he has posted 83 receptions for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns.

Bernstein: I Still Want To Watch The Bears - 670 The Score - Once the bad taste of this 2019 disappointment is flushed out for the Bears, there can be reasonable expectation of a return to contention in 2020.

Matt Nagy says Andy Reid has been a 'calming presence' for him - NBC Sports Chicago - Andy Reid's not just a normal mentor for the Bears' coach.

Mahomes, Chiefs Offense Enough to Leave Scars for Pagano - SI.com - Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano isn't quite young enough to be from the video game generation.

Hoge and Jahns: Week 16 Bears-Chiefs, NFL Preview - WGN Radio - The Bears were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week with the combination of their loss to the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings victory over the L.A. Chargers. The team still has two games left to play, and both of their remaining opponents (the Kansas City Chiefs and the Vikings) have a lot to play for.

Eddie Jackson blessed by second Pro Bowl selection - ChicagoBears.com - Safety Eddie Jackson spoke to reporters Thursday about being selected to his second Pro Bowl, his motivation for the last two weeks of the season and the Chiefs passing attack.

Week 16 Key Matchups: Bears vs. Chiefs - ChicagoBears.com - When the Bears take on the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night at Soldier Field, keep an eye on these matchups.

Matt Nagy considers mentor Andy Reid ‘family to me’ - ChicagoBears.com - Bears coach Matt Nagy is excited about facing his close friend and mentor, Chiefs coach Andy Reid, Sunday night at Soldier Field. Nagy served as an assistant under Reid for 10 seasons in Philadelphia and Kansas City.

Jim Covert, Ed Sprinkle among Hall of Fame finalists - ChicagoBears.com - Former Bears stars Jim Covert and Ed Sprinkle are among 20 senior finalists in contention to be included in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s special centennial Class of 2020.

Cordarrelle Patterson ‘a special player, very gifted athlete’ - ChicagoBears.com - Bears Pro Bowler Cordarrelle Patterson possesses an extremely rare combination of speed, size, power and athleticism. But nothing is more responsible for his success than his passion for the game.

Chalk Talk: How does Allen Robinson compare to Pro Bowl receivers? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses how Allen Robinson’s stats compare to the four NFC receivers who were voted to the Pro Bowl, the Bears player who has been selected to the most Pro Bowls and a thrilling comeback win over the Chiefs in 1977.

Well, At Least Andy Reid Still Has Some Faith in Mitch Trubisky - Bleacher Nation - Watching the Mitch Trubisky experience has been a challenge for Bears fans. The highs haven't been high enough to win over skeptics. Meanwhile, the lows have

Bears notebook: Akiem Hicks on target to start vs. Chiefs - Chicago Sun-Times - His official status still to be determined, but Bears aren’t considering sitting him out to protect his injured left elbow. "We feel good where he’s at," coach Matt Nagy said.

Chicago Bears haven’t found a tight end like Travis Kelce - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ two remaining healthy pass-catching tight ends have combined for 13 catches for 145 yards all season. Kelce had 11 catches for 142 yards last Sunday alone — in the snow.

Chicago Bears finishing 9-7 wouldn’t change anything for Matt Nagy - Chicago Sun-Times - It’s a sunk season regardless of whether the Bears finish 9-7 or 7-9, and Nagy’s first order of business is assessing how he contributed to the failure.

Chicago Bears praise Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, whose skills are like on ‘Madden ... times 1,000’ - Chicago Sun-Times - Bears coaches all been vocally, justifiably, enamored with Mahomes’ skill — even as it serves as a reminder that the franchise passed on the Texas Tech quarterback in favor of Mitch Trubisky.

Former Chicago Bears Jimbo Covert, Ed Sprinkle finalists for Hall of Fame centennial class - Chicago Sun-Times - The two will be under consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s special "Centennial Slate," a special class that will be selected — in an addition to the annual picks — to celebrate the league’s 100th season.

Brad Biggs: Why can't the Chicago Bears run the ball? - Chicago Tribune - The Bears rank 29th in the NFL in rushing and 28th in yards per carry (3.54). It’s their worst rushing offense since 2007, when Cedric Benson was the lead back after the departure of Thomas Jones.

Chicago Bears' Chuck Pagano calls Patrick Mahomes 'scary good' - Chicago Tribune - Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano called Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes “scary good” as he prepared for Sunday night's game at Soldier Field.

Game Preview: Chicago Bears - Kansas City Chiefs (Week 16) - Chicago Audible Podcast - A comprehensive game preview for the Chicago Bears Week 16 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Mitch Trubisky vs. Patrick Mahomes: What analysts said during the 2017 NFL Draft - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears may have missed by slotting Mitch Trubsky over Patrick Mahomes in 2017, but GM Ryan Pace wasn't the only one.

Should the Bears re-sign LB Danny Trevathan? It's complicated - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears' decision at ILB this offseason will say a lot about the direction of the team.

POLISH SAUSAGE

QB Index, Week 16: Tannehill tops Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees in top 4 - Tom Brady slips (again) - NFL.com - The Saints’ Drew Brees fuels a shakeup in the top five of NFL.com’s quarterback rankings, while the Patriots’ Tom Brady continues to slide down the board. See the updated pecking order entering Week 16.

Finalists for Hall of Fame’s centennial class revealed - NFL.com - The finalists for the 2020 Special Centennial Slate were revealed. Take a look at who made the list.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Schefter: Dalvin Cook “unlikely to play” on Monday Night - Daily Norseman - He might be out for the rest of the regular season

Unbelievable! - Back to the Pack - Daily Norseman - BJ Reidell and Drew Mahowald break down the Vikings’ impending matchup with the Packers.

Packers-Vikings Q&A: Kirk Cousins has found his footing in Minnesota - Acme Packing Company - Ted Glover of SB Nation’s Minnesota Vikings blog Daily Norseman answers our questions about the team.

Packers-Vikings Q&A: Minnesota’s offensive shift under Stefanski, Kubiak - Acme Packing Company - Ted Glover of SB Nation’s Minnesota Vikings blog Daily Norseman answers our questions about the team.

Chiefs vs. Bears injury report: Mecole Hardman added - Arrowhead Pride - Hardman, who was not listed on the injury report on Wednesday, was added with a glute injury.

Sunday’s game vs. Bears transcends football for Andy Reid, Matt Nagy - Arrowhead Pride - Bears head coach Matt Nagy is the former offensive coordinator (2016-17) of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tyrann Mathieu has been playing like a man possessed for Chiefs - Arrowhead Prid - Let’s see where the Chiefs found success (and failure) against the Broncos.

Detroit Lions Injury Report: Defensive line beat up ahead of Broncos clash - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions front seven is limping it’s way to the end of the season.

Detroit Lions fans show tiniest sign of life after decision to retain Matt Patricia - Pride Of Detroit - Are fans actually encouraged after the decision to retain Patricia and Quinn?

Only draft position is at stake for Detroit Lions vs Denver Broncos - Pride Of Detroit - It’s tough to get excited about a game that doesn’t mean anything, but here we are.

Five Good Questions With Acme Packing Company - Daily Norseman - Checking in with the Packers SB Nation site

Steve Spagnuolo describes Terrell Suggs’ role with Kansas City Chiefs - Arrowhead Pride - Speaking to the media for the first time since his new defensive lineman arrived in town, the Chiefs’ defensive coordinator talked about Suggs quite a bit.

IN CASE YOU YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Bears vs. Chiefs - How to get tickets, channel info, weather, odds, previews and more! - Windy City Gridiron - This is everything you need to know about the Bears vs. Chiefs game (updated frequently) including how to snag some tickets!

Schmitz: Breaking down 5 plays from Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - Windy City Gridiron - In his latest video, Robert S. takes a look at the 5 plays that best represented the Chicago Bears’ season-ending loss to the Green Bay Packers and walks through their impact on the game.

Infante: Bears WR Allen Robinson grateful for Man of the Year nomination, wants to stay in Chicago - Windy City Gridiron - The former Pro Bowler discusses his charity work through his Within Reach Foundation, his fantastic 2019 season, and much more.

Householder's Week 16 Game Preview: Chicago Bears-Kansas City Chiefs - Windy City Gridiron - Bears host their final home game of the season against their coach’s mentor and the QB they could have had. It’s going to be painful

Berckes & Snyder's Bears Over Beers: How to Talk to Friends and Family About Patrick Mahomes - Windy City Gridiron - Jeff and EJ review the loss in GB and preview a tough one against the Chiefs

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.