The Bear’s Den, December 29, 2020

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

A thriving Bears run game, what's next for Mitch Trubisky – The Athletic - The Bears' run game success starts with trust between David Montgomery and the revamped offensive line.

Emma: Observations from Bears-Jaguars - 670 The Score - The Bears beat up the Jaguars in a 41-17 win in Jacksonville on Sunday, setting the stage for a high-stakes game against the Packers in their regular-season finale.

Bears clear this playoff hurdle but real test is vs. Packers – The Athletic - The Bears trampling the Jaguars is good, but beating the Packers is better.

NFL Panic Index: Who can exhale and who is in trouble? – The Athletic - From the Chiefs (no worries) to the Indianapolis Colts (danger ahead), we rate the panic level of the NFL playoff field and contenders.

NFL playoff picture: Matt Nagy, Bears’ growth shows in surge vs. Jaguars - RSN - The Bears' dominant third quarter in their 41-17 win over the Jaguars showed the kind of improvement and belief that very well may get this team into the playoffs.

Bears vs. Jaguars grades: Allen Robinson shows why he's top-10 WR in NFL - RSN - Bears Insider JJ Stankevitz grades how each position group fared in Sunday's 41-17 win over the Jaguars, highlighted by another big game from Allen Robinson.

Chicago Bears Week 16 Takeaways: Bears Roar to Victory, Control Postseason Destiny - On Tap Sports Net - The Bears extended their win streak to three games and gained control of their own playoff destiny with a Week 16 beatdown of the Jaguars.

Why Win over Packers Should Be Personal for Mitchell Trubisky - Sports Illustrated - If Mitchell Trubisky truly is a drastically improved quarterback, he should be able to lift his team to a huge win over the Green Bay Packers and a playoff berth if he wants another Bears contract.

How Sam Mustipher Fits Chicago Bears Future Offensive Line - Sports Illustrated - The former Notre Dame center has taken over the position because of injuries and other reasons but offensive line coach Juan Castillo sees this as more than a temporary situation

3 things that stood out to Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy in Week 16 win over Jacksonville Jaguars - ChicagoBears.com - After watching tape of Sunday’s 41-17 win over the Jaguars, Bears coach Matt Nagy on Monday discussed three things that stood out to him, including a dominant third-quarter performance on both sides of the ball.

Chicago Bears playoff odds, chances high heading into Week 17 according to ESPN, New York Times, FiveThirtyEight predictions - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. Here’s how some predictors view their chances of earning a wild card berth.

Bears’ defense looks vulnerable heading into rematch vs. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears’ rebound has been thanks largely to their offense, and that’s an unfamiliar feeling. The defense, meanwhile, has dropped off substantially since its ferocious performances against Rodgers in 2018 and ‘19.

How the Bears can make the playoffs and who they’d face in the first round - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears have multiple ways into the playoffs, even with a loss, and their potential first-round opponent has been narrowed to one of three teams.

What if Mitch Trubisky leads the Bears over the Packers on Sunday? - Chicago Sun-Times - What would you think of Mitch Trubisky then? Would he be the draft disappointment or the quarterback who led the Bears to more playoff berths in a three-year span than Jay Cutler did in eight?

Bears film study: Mistakes they can’t get away with against the Packers - Chicago Sun-Times - Analyzing what went right, and wrong, with an eye on the Bears’ win-and-they’re-in game.

Packers-Bears finale moved to 3:25 p.m. Sunday - Chicago Sun-Times - The move was expected because it allows the game to be played at the same time as the Cardinals-Rams game. The two are intertwined in the NFC playoff picture.

Jimmy Graham giving Chicago Bears scoring threat, mentor - Chicago Tribune - There was plenty of skepticism about what Jimmy Graham could bring to the Chicago Bears after general manager Ryan Pace signed him in the spring to a two-year, $16 million contract. But there’s no doubt Graham has provided the type of scoring threat the Bears didn’t have with last year's tight ends.

Winners and losers from Chicago Bears' Week 16 - Chicago Tribune - Even on what would have to be considered a good day overall for Chicago Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky, his decision-making was compared to that of an inexperienced teenager. So, you know, not perfect.

Brad Biggs' 10 thoughts on Chicago Bears' Week 16 win - Chicago Tribune - 10 thoughts after the Chicago Bears trounced the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-17 on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field for their third straight victory.

Bears-Jaguars podcast: Bears are in driver’s seat for the playoffs - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears — who endured a six-game losing streak — can grab a playoff spot if they beat the Packers in the regular-season finale.

NFL Week 16 PFF ReFocused: Chicago Bears 41, Jacksonville Jaguars 17 - PFF - The Chicago Bears gained control of their playoff destiny after Arizona dropped a game last week, and they took advantage of it with a convincing win against Jacksonville.

Why do Chicago Bears win NFC playoff tiebreaker over Los Angeles Rams? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses why the Bears own the tiebreaker over the Rams despite losing to them, the last time the Bears won their final four games and teams that have made the playoffs after a six-game losing streak.

Inside Slant: Chicago Bears LB Roquan Smith continues breakout season - ChicagoBears.com - Despite a Pro Bowl snub, linebacker Roquan Smith’s performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars proved his elite status.

The Roquan Smith Game: Rapid Fire Reaction to Bears 41, Jags 17 - Da Bears Blog - Some thoughts on Bears 41, Jaguars 17.

Nagy, Bears know importance of beating Rodgers, Packers - 670 The Score - The Bears (8-7) host the Packers (12-3) in a high-stakes game at Soldier Field on Sunday, which puts Chicago’s playoff hopes on the line against MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Jared Goff having surgery on broken thumb today - ProFootballTalk - Rams quarterback Jared Goff is having surgery today on the thumb he broke in yesterday’s loss to the Seahawks.

Ron Rivera: I told Dwayne Haskins it benefits both parties to go our separate ways - ProFootballTalk - Washington coach Ron Rivera decided after Sunday’s ugly loss that keeping Dwayne Haskins around any longer wasn’t doing anyone any good.

Kyle Shanahan expects Jimmy Garoppolo to be 49ers' quarterback in 2021 - ProFootballTalk - Jimmy Garoppolo entered the NFL in 2014. Only once has he started more than six games in a season.

Dwayne Haskins' rapid downfall in Washington not just QB's doing - NFL.com - Dwayne Haskins may not go down as one of the worst draft busts in NFL history, but that is largely a matter of only ranking.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Who are You Firing? - Daily Norseman - Vote for Your Option

Big Cat Country Q&A: Are you worried Trevor Lawrence stays at Clemson? - Big Cat Country - We want to send our Keep Choppin’ Wood newsletter to more Jaguars fans but it costs money! (Who knew?)

Recapping the Detroit Lions’ week from hell - Pride Of Detroit - Last week sucked. Let’s talk about it.

Detroit Lions waiving veteran safety Jayron Kearse - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions appear to be parting ways with their veteran safety.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong's Bears vs Jaguars: Snap counts, stats and more - Windy City Gridiron - We share the complete playing time breakdown, and spotlight a few individual and team statistics from the Chicago Bears in their 41 to 17 beat down of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Leming: 10 Chicago Bears takes with them now in the Wild Card driver’s seat - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears were once again victorious on Sunday. With one game left in the season, they are back in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot. What more could you ask for in such a strange season? All of that and more.

Infante's Notes: Bears explode in second half, demolish Jaguars to boost playoff hopes - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears entered their matchup on Sunday needing a win to help their playoff chances, and they secured a victory in dominant fashion.

Schmitz & Curl's Postgame Pod: It all comes down to Green Bay... (with Patti Curl!) - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears crushed the Jaguars to take command of the NFC’s 7th seed, but how did they do it? In this episode of Bear With Me, Robert S. brings on WCG’s own Patti Curl to answer.

Wiltfong's NFL Week 17: Bears vs Packers changed to 3:25 p.m. (CT) - Windy City Gridiron
- The NFL has announced a few changes to their week 17 schedule, including the Bears vs Packers game.

THE RULES

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