Ken’s Note: We’ve all been waiting for this day for a very long time. We all are hoping for a big win and a first step towards our eventual 8-peat that all Bears fans know is on the way. Whatever happens today Josh Bellamy Jersey , however, we’ve had a great season and have seen absolutely huge progress by our team pretty much across the board. The best part isn’t that we “snuck into the playoffs” like some teams that had to depend on others to even get in... we didn’t..., but rather that we got about 800 monkeys off our backs. The curses are all dead, and whatever happens in today’s game, the needle is pointing STRAIT UP!. BEAR DOWN!BOOM!BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSSNeveau: Roquan Smith Fined for Hit on Kirk Cousins - NBC Chicago - Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith has been fined just over $20,000 for an illegal hit to Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins last weekend.Chicago Audible Mailbag: Wildcard Weekend Edition - The Chicago Audible Podcast - The Chicago Audible provides another round of in-depth analysis on questions submitted by the fans in this special wildcard mailbag episode.Stankevitz: Three keys and wild card round playoff prediction: Bears vs. Eagles - NBC Sports Chicago - Will the best defense in the NFL be ready to counter the Eagles and their Nick Foles magic? Plus what does Mitch Trubisky need to do for the Bears to win on Sunday?Roundup: Roquan Smith fined 20K for Cousins hit - NFL.com - Bears linebacker Roquan Smith, Saints end Marcus Davenport bring home biggest fines, while Dolphins-Bills skirmish leads to host of infractions.Stankevitz: Six reasons for optimism and pessimism as the Bears enter the playoffs - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears have plenty of reasons to be hopeful about a Super Bowl run, but this team isn’t without its flaws as it preps for its first playoff appearance in eight years.Stankevitz’ Final thoughts: Matt Nagy adds another wrinkle with Bradley Sowell at fullback - NBC Sports Chicago - Bradley Sowell played eight snaps at fullback last week, an odd position for a 6-foot-7, 312 pound tackle.Perez: Final score prediction for Bears vs. Eagles wild-card game - Bears Wire - A look at who will win the Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles wild-card playoff gameAkiem Hicks listed among Pro Football Focus’ All-Pro snubs - Bears Wire - Chicago Bears DL Akiem Hicks was named as one of Pro Football Focus’ All-Pro snubsMayer: 4 things to watch in Bears-Eagles game - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer identifies four storylines to follow Sunday when the Bears host the Eagles in a first-round playoff game, including how the defense will fare against Philadelphia quarterback Nick Foles.Mayer’s Chalk Talk: Did Bears run ‘Philly Special’ before Eagles? - ChicagoBears.com - Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses whether the Bears ran the “Philly Special” trick play before the Eagles did, his favorite Bears regular-season game of the year and NFC teams the Bears have never played in the playoffs.Kaufman: How NFC North champion Bears were built - ChicagoBears.com - General manager Ryan Pace and his personnel staff used several different avenues to build a roster that led the Bears to the NFC North title in 2018.Monsters of the Midway Comic Strip - Talon Show - ChicagoBears.com - Follow along as we tell the story of the Monsters of the Midway defending Chicago from a weekly nemesis from the 2018 schedule and postseason.Medina: Mitch Trubisky Has Made Real, Tangible https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Anthony-Miller-Jersey , and Undeniable Progress and Development In Year 2 - Bleacher Nation - Getting to the bottom of Trubisky’s Year 2 development ahead of Sunday’s game against the Eagles.Potash: Winning the war of attrition a good start for Bears on road to Super Bowl - Sun Times - The Bears figure to have better teams under GM Ryan Pace and Nagy. But they might not have a better chance. Things can change in a hurry.Jahns: Eagles at Bears preview: It's time for Mitch Trubisky to rewrite the book on Bears QBs - Sun Times - Adam L. Jahns "Inside the Huddle" column appears in game-day editions of the Chicago Sun-Times.Potash: Bears vs. Eagles - What to Watch 4 - Sun Times - The Bears counter with a defense ... with no major weaknesses to attack — though Zach Ertz or Golden Tate vs. Sherrick McManis bears watching.Biggs: As the Bears make their run at a Super Bowl, keep in mind = No. 1 defenses fare better than No. 1 offenses in the postseason - Chicago Tribune - Three of the last five teams to finish No. 1 in scoring defense have reached the Super Bowl. The Bears begin their bid for a trip to Atlanta on Sunday in the wild-card round against the Eagles. They're brimming with confidence that the defense can carry them on the journey.Biggs: Scouting report on Eagles QB Nick Foles - 'He’s played his best on the biggest stages' - Chicago Tribune - Nick Foles will make his fifth career postseason start Sunday after leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl title last year. He made five starts this season, including the final three, filling in for the injured Carson Wentz and played at a high level in December.Wilner: Bears' Matt Nagy and the 11 other playoff coaches have ties to Bill Walsh or Bill Parcells - Chicago Tribune - There is no denying the impact on the coaching world that Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells have had. The hard evidence is apparent again as the NFL playoffs begin. All 12 of the coaches have some sort of tie-in to either three-time Super Bowl champion Walsh or two-time winner Parcells. Yes, all 12.POLISH SAUSAGENFL coaching tracker: Latest news, developments - NFL.com - The NFL coaching carousel has hit full speed with the regular season over. Around The NFL keeps you up to date with all of the latest coaching news, including the latest reports on available jobs.KNOW THY ENEMYThe Eagles-Bears game is loaded with connections by former players and coaches - Bleeding Green Nation - Things are bound to get personal for several players and personnel on Sunday.What these four analytical nuggets reveal about the Bears - Bleeding Green Nation - Digging into the numbers in search of the truth, of which you can’t handle...IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONZeglinski: Windy City Gridiron picks the 2019 NFL Playoffs - Windy City Gridiron - The NFL playoff journey begins today. Here’s how our staff sees January, and February, playing out.NFL Wild card 2018 Bears vs. Eagles: Here’s everything we got! - Windy City Gridiron - This is the full story-stream with all of our Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles wild card playoff coverage. We’ve gone all out covering the Bears first playoff game since 2010, so we wanted to...Check out Sam talking Bears with this Philly sports show...And Lester on this podcast...WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMSWindy City Gridiron Podcast Channel featuring- T Formation Conversation - Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. and Bear With Me - Robert Schmitz; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven SchweickertTHE RULESWindy 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.The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories Sherrick McManis Color Rush Jersey , and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.Click on our names to follow us on Twitter:WCG Contributors: Jeff Berckes; Patti Curl; Eric Christopher Duerrwaechter;Kev H; Sam Householder; Jacob Infante; Aaron Lemming; Ken Mitchell; Robert Schmitz; Steven Schweickert; Jack Silverstein; EJ Snyder; Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; Whiskey Ranger; Robert Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook. BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!BEARRRSSSSJoniak: Keys To Bears-Vikings - 670 The Score - Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. Sunday from U.S. Bank Stadium.Emma: 3 Key Bears Doubtful Against Vikings - 670 The Score - Allen Robinson, Eddie Jackson and Aaron Lynch are likely to sit Sunday.Mayer: Fans urged to buy playoff tickets, parking passes from verified sources - ChicagoBears.com - With the Bears set to host a playoff game at Soldier Field, the team is encouraging fans to purchase tickets and parking passes only from verified sources such as Ticketmaster and the NFL Ticket Exchange.Pick is in: Bears at Vikings - ChicagoBears.com - Local and national NFL analysts make their pick for the Week 17 game between the Vikings and Bears Sunday in Minneapolis. Keep track of their weekly record here on Chicagobears.com.Medina: What Are the Bears’ Options at Wide Receiver if Allen Robinson is Out? - Bleacher Nation - Kevin White? Javon Wims? Ben Braunecker? Taquan Mizzell Sr.? Daniel Brown? Who’s got next if Allen Robinson can’t play.Medina: Kyle Long *Could* Be Activated from the IR Tomorrow! - Bleacher Nation - A Kyle Long-Bryan Witzmann platoon could be in the works once Long re-joins the active roster.Jahns: How great is the Bears' defense? - Sun Times - Adam L. Jahns' "Inside the Huddle" column appears in game-day editions of the Chicago Sun-Times.Finley: 4 Bears questions - Vic Fangio's anonymity, rematch odds and Matt Nagy's dog - Sun Times - Four questions as the NFC North champion Bears prepare to travel to face the Vikings, who are fighting for their playoff lives:Campbell: How the Bears' faith in GM Ryan Pace led them back to the playoffs - Chicago Tribune - Ryan Pace, still the NFL’s youngest GM at 41, has a lot more salt where he had only pepper four years ago. That’s the effect of tearing down the Bears to the studs — and mashing his own thumb with his hammer at times along the way.Bears vs. Vikings: Tribune writers make their picks - Chicago Tribune - Can the Bears top the Vikings on the road? Tribune writers make their picksKane: Eddie Jackson and Allen Robinson are doubtful against the Vikings, but Kyle Long’s return is a strong possibility - Chicago Tribune - Bears safety Eddie Jackson (ankle), wide receiver Allen Robinson (ribs) and outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (elbow) were listed Friday as doubtful to play Sunday against the Vikings. However, Kyle Long’s return from injured reserve is a possibility.Wiederer: 3 keys for the Bears in Week 17 - Keep Mitch Trubisky safe against an aggressive Vikings defense - Chicago Tribune - As the Bears aim to collect their 12th win this weekend against the Vikings Charles Leno Jersey , they must find ways to keep Mitch Trubisky out of harm's way while also using an opportunistic defense to fluster Kirk Cousins.Biggs: Scouting report on Vikings running back Dalvin Cook - 'He can really scoot and get to top speed quickly' - Chicago Tribune - Vikings running back Dalvin Cook had a season-high 19 carries for a career-high 136 yards two weeks ago against the Dolphins and ran 16 times for 73 yards last week against the Lions.Stankevitz:: Are the Vikings or Eagles the better playoff matchup for the Bears? - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears will most likely play the Vikings or Eagles in the first round of the playoffs next week. So that begs the question: Who should they want to face?Wesseling: Patrick Mahomes leads MVP candidates field, Mack in top 5 - NFL.com - Chris Wesseling ranks his top 10 candidate for the NFL MVP award -- and zeroes in on the yawning chasm between Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of his peers.Mayer: Robinson, Jackson, Lynch listed as doubtful - ChicagoBears.com - Receiver Allen Robinson, safety Eddie Jackson and outside linebacker Aaron Lynch were all held out of practice again Friday and listed as doubtful for Sunday’s regular-season finale in Minnesota.Finley: Seeding and strategy will make for strange Sunday - Sun Times - A week spent wondering how seriously the Bears will try to win Sunday’s game at the Vikings hit home for Kyle Long.POLISH SAUSAGERams rule Todd Gurley out of regular season finale – ProFootballTalk - The Rams are going to err on the side of caution. Having a backup go wild the week before made it an easier decision. The Rams officially ruled running back Todd Gurley out of Sunday’s regular season finale against the 49ers, giving him time to rest his ailing left knee.KNOW THY ENEMYMatt Patricia responds to tardiness claims: ‘We have a very tight schedule’ - Pride Of Detroit - Patricia addressed rumors that he has been consistently late to team meetings.Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia wants Matthew Stafford back in 2019 - Pride Of Detroit - Matt Patricia remains unrelenting in his praise of the Lions’ franchise quarterback.Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings: Final injury reports for both teams - Daily Norseman - Some big names missing on both sidesMinnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears Week 17 Preview: Binary - Daily Norseman - The Vikings will look back on their 2018 regular season finale in one of two ways: "won" or "zero."Norse Code Podcast Episode 266: Feats of Strength (with guest Lorin Cox) - Daily Norseman - James and Arif are back from Christmas break and return with the help of Lorin Cox to preview the Bears game! We also review the victory over the Lions, the sputtering offense, and the best movies we saw this year! Also check out our end of the year clip show which also came out this weekTalking about Bears/Vikings with Shawn & Maya in the Morning - Daily Norseman - Yes, more discussion about Sunday’s gameDaily Norseman on Minnesota Sports Weekly talking Bears at Vikings - Daily Norseman - You like the talk? We got the talk!Packers-Lions Preview: Film shows Green Bay can succeed in the passing game - Acme Packing Company - In their second meeting of the season, we see what Green Bay can do to beat Detroit and split the season series.Detroit Lions podcast: What went wrong with the Packers? A schadenfreude investigation - Pride Of Detroit - When the Packers lose, we all win.A’Shawn Robinson placed on injured reserve, Lions add Mitchell Loewen - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions defensive tackle sees his season end as he is replaced by a former Saint.IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRONGabriel: Who Do Bears Match Up With Best In Playoffs? - 670 The Score - The Bears are likely to face the Vikings or Eagles in the wild-card round.Whiskey Ranger: WCG Fantasy Tournament - A Champion is Crowned! - Windy City Gridiron - Let’s give a hardy congrats to Usmcbears, while silently cursing his name. As is the Fantasy Football way.Zeglinski: Bears-Vikings Injury Report - Eddie Jackson and Allen Robinson are doubtful - Windy City Gridiron - The Bears will be without their star safety and No. 1 receiver for Sunday’s regular season finale in Minnesota.Wiltfong: Trubisky in San Francisco, 3 keys to Bears vs. Vikings, and more - Windy City Gridiron - In Lester’s latest T Formation Conversation podcast he discusses Trubisky’s last game, previews the Bears and Vikings https://www.thebearsfanshop.com/Joel-Iyiegbuniwe-Jersey , and answers a few questions from Twitter.WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - iTunes - Robert ZeglinskiTHE RULESWindy 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.The Bear’s Den Specific Guidelines – The Bear’s Den is a place for Chicago Bears fans to discuss Chicago Bears football, related NFL stories, and general football talk. It is NOT a place to discuss religion or politics or post political pictures or memes. Unless otherwise stated, the Den is not an open thread, and profanity (including profanity only stated in pictures) is prohibited.Click on our names to follow us on Twitter: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 Zeglinski; Like us on Facebook.