The Bear’s Den, November 25, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Lunch With Urlurker: 11.24.20 - ChicagoBears.com - Urlurker and Bears Senior Writer Larry Mayer discusses Anthony Miller’s performance returning punts, gives his Thanksgiving favorites and looks ahead to Sunday night’s matchup with the Packers in his weekly Q&A with fans.

How Bears assistant coaches’ jobs have changed – The Athletic - What’s changed this season for Bears assistant coaches as they navigate the pandemic?

Roquan Smith and Kyle Fuller are Playing at an All-Pro Level - On Tap Sports Net - Given the Bears’ struggles in 2020, it’s easy to overlook strong individual performances. Both Roquan Smith and Kyle Fuller have been playing at an All-Pro level.

Quick Hits: Chicago Bears gearing up for NFC North showdown vs. Green Bay Packers - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears will face a tough task Sunday night when they visit the NFC North-leading Packers at Lambeau Field. But coach Matt Nagy’s team is looking forward to the challenge.

Chicago Bears, head coach Matt Nagy focused on improving rushing attack - ChicagoBears.com - After self-scouting during the bye week, Bears coach Matt Nagy is convinced that the key to reviving a struggling offense is getting more production from the running game.

Bears looking for ‘positive energy’ as they visit Packers - 670 The Score - After a 5-1 start that had them tied for first place in the NFC, the Bears (5-5) have since lost four straight games and sit one game out of the playoff picture.

Bears change tune on Nick Foles QB switch – The Athletic - What’s the status of the Bears quarterbacks? And why has Nick Foles struggled so much?

Chicago Bears: What’s working, not working on defense - Chicago Tribune - Roquan Smith and the third-down and red-zone defense are working. Robert Quinn is not. A look at the Chicago Bears defense at the break.

Matt Nagy says Chicago Bears struggles stem from run game - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy had more than enough issues within his offense to pick apart during his team’s week off — but he focused on the league’s worst run game.

Are the Bears catching the Packers at a bad time? - Chicago Sun-Times - The Packers’ loss to the Colts kept the Bears within striking distance in the NFC North. But the Packers are 5-0 after a loss under Matt LaFleur. And Aaron Rodgers is on an MVP pace.

POLISH SAUSAGE

NFL expands mask mandate and threatens discipline - Chicago Tribune - The NFL told teams on Monday that players who are not substituting or preparing to enter the field of play and are not wearing their helmets will be required to wear a mask or a double-layered gaiter on the sideline, starting this week.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Aaron Rodgers: Death threats to Marquez Valdez-Scantling "extremely unnecessary" - ProFootballTalk - I would say that’s extremely unnecessary,” Rodgers said of the death threats, during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show. “I understand the rooting interests in the game and how important it is to so many people, and it’s really important to us, too. But I think that’s very unnecessary. I’m sorry he had to go through that. I’m sure if I was checking social media, I’m sure there would be plenty of games where that happened to me.” Ken’s Note: I’m SO not a Packers fan but anybody who makes death threats against a player for a fumble is just an unbelievable douchebag.

Stellar 2020 receiver class a perfect example of reward, perils of relying on rookies - Acme Packing Company - The Packers decided against taking a receiver in the 2020 NFL draft (had you heard that?). While we often focus on the players Brian Gutekunst would have been smart to take, we forget how many others have offered little.

Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson headline Hall of Fame semifinalists for 2021 - ProFootballTalk - Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson, Jared Allen and Calvin Johnson headline the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021. Manning, Woodson, Allen and Johnson are in their first year of eligibility. Ken’s Note: No Peanut yet. We are going to have to get to work on that.

Jared Goff: Rams can be as good as we want to be - ProFootballTalk - Goff said after beating the Buccaneers that he sees no limitations on how far the 7-3 Rams can go this season.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Bears waive Anthony Rush, protect Tyler Bray - Windy City Gridiron - According to Tuesday’s NFL transaction list, the Chicago Bears waived defensive tackle Anthony Rush from their active roster, and they protected practice squad quarterback Tyler Bray.

Wiltfong's NFL Power Rankings: Checking on the bye week Bears - Windy City Gridiron - This was the best weekend of NFL football for Chicago Bears fans in a about a month as our favorite team finally didn’t lose a game. Sure the Bears were on their bye week, but the other three NFC...

Wiltfong: Ten Thoughts on the NFL - Windy City Gridiron - Give Lester’s Thoughts a gander this week and leave a few thoughts of your own in the comment section.

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.

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