The Bear’s Den, January 9, 2021

THE DAILY SPONGIE SPECIAL

BEARRRSSSS

Allen Robinson Snubbed in AP’s All-Pro Voting - Sports Illustrated - The All-Pro team was released by the Associated Press’ 50 voters and Allen Robinson was left off both the first and second team while Buffalo’s Cole Beasley made the second team with statistics well behind Robinson’s.

Bears Holding Out Hope for Roquan Smith, Darnell Mooney to Play - Sports Illustrated - Injury Report: Both Roquan Smith and Darnell Mooney are questionable for Sunday’s playoff game even though they have not practiced this week, while cornerback Jaylon Johnson is questionable and could return from a shoulder injury

Bears at Saints Wildcard Weekend Preview: When Saints Have the Ball - Da Bears Blog - The Saints have won their last two games, against Carolina and Minnesota, rushing for 156 and 264 yards respectively.

Bears’ Cordarrelle Patterson earns All-Pro honors as KR - 670 The Score - Bears kickoff returner Cordarrelle Patterson was named a first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press on Friday, marking the fourth time in his career he has been chosen for the prestigious honor.

All eyes on Bears RB David Montgomery in first playoff game - Chicago Sun-Times - In a sense, the running back will be the most important Bears player on the field Sunday.

Bears linebacker Roquan Smith questionable for Saints on Sunday - Chicago Sun-Times - The Bears All-Pro linebacker has not practiced this week with an elbow injury. Cornerback Buster Skrine (concussion) is out. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson (shoulder) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (ankle) are questionable.

Bears’ Cordarrelle Patterson named first-team All-Pro as kick returner - Chicago Sun-Times - Linebackers Roquan Smith and Khalil Mack were named to the second team by the Associated Press. Cairo Santos received no votes despite making 30 of 32 field goals — a franchise-record 93.8% — including 27 in a row.

Column: Chicago Bears must reassess standard on defense - Chicago Tribune - While the Chicago Bears would like to believe their defense remains the standard, that unit had another ambiguous performance in the second half of the season.

Chicago Bears: Roquan Smith, Darnell Mooney questionable - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears listed inside linebacker Roquan Smith, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and cornerback Jaylon Johnson as questionable to play in Sunday’s playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. Nickel cornerback Buster Skrine will miss his fifth straight game because of a concussion.

NFC playoff picks: Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints - Chicago Tribune - The Bears are big underdogs in their NFC playoff matchup against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Can they pull off the upset in the Big Easy? Our predictions.

NFC playoffs: Chicago Bears-New Orleans Saints storylines - Chicago Tribune - As the Chicago Bears revisit their recent playoff heartbreak, the Saints are certain they can one-up things. "We’ll see your 'Double Doink' and raise you a 'NOLA No Call.' Plus a 'Minneapolis Miracle.' And also a stunning overtime home loss to the Vikings last winter." Inside the cruelty of the NFL playoffs.

Bears-Saints in the playoffs: Key matchups and game picks – The Athletic - Bears-Saints in the playoffs: Key matchups, game picks and more.

Saints' Alvin Kamara confirms he'll play vs. Bears on Sunday - RSN - Sounds like we have our answer.

Injuries Lead to an Uphill Battle vs. Saints - On Tap Sports Net - The Bears will likely be without Roquan Smith, Darnell Mooney, and Buster Skrine on Sunday. However there is optimism for Jaylon Johnson.

Bears coach Matt Nagy embracing his return to the playoffs - Chicago Sun-Times - The biggest underdogs of the NFL’s wild-card round, the Bears aren’t on a clear upward trajectory. But a victory Sunday might change that.

Fresh start might benefit both sides as QB Mitch Trubisky heads into possible Bears finale - Chicago Sun-Times - The outcomes go beyond win or lose for Trubisky on Sunday. Will the Bears want him back? Does he want to return? There’s a lot swirling as he plays what could be his final game for Chicago.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Cowboys announce Mike Nolan, Jim Tomsula firings - ProFootballTalk - Word on Friday was that the Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and the team has now announced the move.

KNOW THINE ENEMY

Saints vs Bears Final injury report: Marcus Williams is back - Canal Street Chronicles - All in all we are looking pretty good.

CSC Podcast: Bears @ Saints Wildcard Preview - Canal Street Chronicles - Listen In! Can the Saints party with the Lombardi this year?

Despite 12-4 record, not a single Saints player made the NFL’s first-team All-Pro list - Canal Street Chronicles - The Associated Press just released their All-Pro teams. Despite a 12-4 record, not a single New Orleans Saints player made the first-team.

Film Study: How the Saints picked off the Panthers five times - Canal Street Chronicles - FIVE TIME! FIVE TIME! FIVE TIME! FIVE TIME! FIVE TIME interception getters in the 2020 regular season finale

Dom Capers out in Minnesota - ProFootballTalk - Longtime NFL coach Dom Capers will have to go somewhere else if he wants to keep his coaching career going.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Schmitz: Previewing how the Chicago Bears can beat the New Orleans Saints — Live! - Windy City Gridiron - Robert S. is live on his YouTube channel right now previewing the Bears’ upcoming game against the Saints — check it out at the link below!

Householder's Best Bets: Chicago Bears-New Orleans Saints Wild Card Playoff - Windy City Gridiron - Anything can happen in the playoffs, right? But can the Bears cover as double-digit road ‘dogs?

Zeglinski: Windy City Gridiron picks Chicago Bears-New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Game - Windy City Gridiron - After a short absence, the Bears make their fateful return to the postseason as heavy underdogs. But hey, anything can happen, right?

Wiltfong: Bears vs Saints Injury Report - Roquan Smith among 4 questionable for Chicago - Windy City Gridiron - Here’s the full injury report for the Bears and the Saints in advance of their wildcard match-up on Sunday.

Infante: The Bears shouldn’t extend Mitchell Trubisky and here’s why - Windy City Gridiron - Mitchell Trubisky’s possible extension is a huge talking point with the Bears in the playoffs. Both the numbers and the tape indicate an extension shouldn’t happen.

Bears fans among the least confident in the NFL, but we’re excited for a playoff game! - Windy City Gridiron - Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in Bears fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.

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.

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.; EJ also co-hosts The Bootleg Football Podcast with Brett Kollmann; R. Schmitz has a film breakdown show on YouTube titled Run Pass Opinion; and Steven’s Streaming Twitch Channel from Steven Schweickert.

Click on our names to follow us on Twitter: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter; Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Jack R Salo; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Schmitz; Robert Zeglinski; Bill Zimmerman; Like us on Facebook.