We're Black and Blue All Over: Good morning and thanks for returning, presumably, along with me after last week's time away. It sounds like I missed a few news stories, which is all but inevitable when you take a week away from the NFL, but we'll catch up soon enough.
In the two months since the Chicago Bears overhauled their coaching staff, we've seen and heard almost nothing specific about the style of offense new coach Marc Trestman will run. That's not a coincidence, given NFL teams' protection of schematic clues.
After the Chicago Bears' 28-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, here are three issues that merit further examination: More than anything, Sunday's game reinforced how reliant the Bears are on their special teams and defense in staking them to a lead and in some cases maintaining it as well.
You don't have to go any further than last Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers to understand how valuable tailback Michael Bush was to the Chicago Bears this season. Unable to play because of a rib injury that officially ended his season Tuesday, Bush could only watch as starter Matt Forte failed on three attempts to score from the Packers' 5-yard line in the third quarter.
CHICAGO -- After losing five of their past six games, the Chicago Bears no longer hold their playoff destiny in their hands. They'll need some help to reach the postseason after a 21-13 loss Sunday to the Green Bay Packers, but the bigger question is how far-reaching their 1-5 slump will be for this franchise.
We're Black and Blue All Over: There has been so much talk this week about, well, talk, that we've reached Friday of Packers-Bears week and have a pile of injury information to sort through. Thanks to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.
After the Chicago Bears' 21-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, here are three issues that merit further examination: Quarterback Jay Cutler said during his ESPN 1000 radio show that his stiff neck shouldn't keep him out of next Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers.
Let's get inside the Friday injury report in the NFC North: Chicago Bears: Cornerback Tim Jennings (shoulder) was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings, joining linebacker Brian Urlacher (hamstring) and receiver Earl Bennett (concussion).
Let's take a quick spin through the Thursday practice report in the NFC North: Chicago Bears: Receiver Earl Bennett (concussion) was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Running back Michael Bush (ribs) and cornerback Tim Jennings (shoulder) continued to be sidelined as well.
Let's wrap up a newsy day in the NFC North: Chicago Bears: Linebacker Brian Urlacher (hamstring) was officially ruled out of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Four players sat out of practice because of injuries: receiver Earl Bennett (concussion), running back Michael Bush (ribs), cornerback Tim Jennings (shoulder) and nose tackle Stephen Paea (foot).
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