Bernstein: Season's Storylines To Converge Sunday
Prominent aspects of this year's Bears discussion are winding together for Sunday afternoon's game against the Patriots at Soldier Field.
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Prominent aspects of this year's Bears discussion are winding together for Sunday afternoon's game against the Patriots at Soldier Field.
Jay Cutler has been improving week to week, and by the numbers has been playing some of the football of his career. But his offensive coordinator, Mike Martz, still sees room for improvement.
Consider it a week off for Lovie Smith's lucky horseshoe as the Bears welcome the New England Patriots to Soldier Field this coming Sunday.
The perception of the Chicago Bears changes week to week. One week their destined for the playoffs, the next they're doomed to get passed, by the Green Bay Packers. For the team, their only focus is on the next game.
Back in training camp it looked as if Major Wright had all the tools to become a starter on the Bears' defense this season. So for that hasn't happened, but he's been getting his chances. Could this week be the week he makes the jump?
For most of the season the Bears' defense has started games strong and limited the opponents' offense for the entire game. That wasn't the story against the Lions, but the Bears' defense was able to finish the game strong.
Ned Flanders had finally had enough. His house destroyed, his business in ruins, his bad fortune making a mockery of his boundless faith and optimism, he exploded on Springfield townsfolk after his last bit of self-control wore away.
Jay Cutler threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Brandon Manumaleuna one play after a questionable call midway through the fourth quarter, lifting the Chicago Bears to a 24-20 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. LISTEN: GAME HIGHLIGHTS, LOVIE SMITH
The Detroit Lions have two wins this season. One of their many losses came against the Bears in week one. Despite that and a much more improved Bears team, Lion's receiver Nate Burleson has guaranteed a win.
There has been a change in the way that people are viewing the Bears after their four straight wins in the month of November. However, the Bears don't seem themselves any differently.
Remember all the worries about Urlacher's health during training camp? Just two weeks ago he broke Mike Singletary's career franchise record for tackles. Brian Urlacher is healthy and helping the Bears make their push for the playoffs. LISTEN: TOM THAYER AND JOSH LISS
The Bears are finally giving Jay Cutler some protection after changing up the rotation several times due to player performance and injuries. They finally have the right mix.
Obviously the Bears are better than most thought they would be entering the 2010 season but are they good enough to win the Super Bowl?
How deeply twisted do you have to be to continue to root against the Bears, in your hopes that the Lovie Smith regime is ushered out?
Coming out of the bye week, the Bears' focus was on improving each week. In the four games since they have done just that, and picked up a win each week.
It's amazing what a few wins will do for a coach in the NFL. Before the season started there were some people who were counting down the days until Lovie was fired. Now, however, he might be making an argument for NFL Coach of the Year.
We are not even through two seasons since Jay Cutler became a Bear, and it already feels like a long story: spectacular touchdowns undermined by inexcusable interceptions, petulant shoulder shrugs interpreted for greater meaning, and club-hopping with quasi-famous TV arm-candy.
Bears take down the Philadelphia Eagles thanks to a swarming defense and an explosive offense. LISTEN: HIGHLIGHTS - LOVIE SMITH
There are still some people who doubt whether or not the Bears are a legitimate playoff team. A win against the Philadelphia Eagles could turn those people into believers.
The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint. And according to head coach Lovie Smith, the Bears are starting to get in stride, but still haven't peaked.
Not too long ago, Lovie Smith seemed primed to be forced out of Chicago. Now, that doesn't seem as likely.
Michael Vick's athletic ability might give some defensive coordinators and opposing head coaches nightmares. But Lovie Smith feels that his defense is set up to stop players like Vick.
Earlier in the week Lovie Smith said that he wouldn't change his defense to account for Michael Vick. Bears analyst Tom Thayer believes that Smith won't, and knows how the Bears can shut Vick down.
The Bears' wins this season haven't necessarily come against the best competition that the league has to offer. However, a win against the Eagles would grab the attention form the rest of the NFL.
A night after losing the series opener 10-3, the Rangers (51-50) finished with a season-high 18 hits and avoided falling below .500 for the first time since June 27.
Chicago collected 11 hits while improving to 23-10 in its last 33 games, bouncing back nicely after losing 8-6 in 10 innings in the series opener on Monday night.
On Fridays at the Green Mill, the jazz starts in the afternoon and goes until the wee hours of the morning.
On July 8, Josiah managed to leave the school building and wander from Cermak nearly half a mile down State Street.
The contractor, who was conducting work, was stranded about 130 feet above ground inside an enclosed sign structure toward the top of a sign pole.
Republican candidate for Illinois governor Darren Bailey is calling for greater transparency over nongovernmental organizations that receive at least $10,000 in state grants by making them subject to public records and open meetings requests.
Two independent Latino candidates seeking to run for retiring U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia's seat in Congress won't appear on the ballot in November.
New search data shows "fascism" drew roughly 264,700 monthly searches nationally in 2026, but in Illinois the most-searched word definition was "bias."
President Trump is imposing 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, from hockey equipment to alcoholic beverages, escalating the trade dispute between the two countries.
Parents of students in the Chicago Public Schools system had a chance Monday to weigh in on the next budget.
Chicago remained the most bed bug-treated city in the country, according to Orkin's latest annual rankings covering a full year of residential and commercial treatment data.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul this week warned residents cleaning up from last month's storms to be on the lookout for scams.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday signed several new consumer protections into law, including a ban on junk fees.
CBS News Chicago has learned that Illinois home insurance premiums are not only higher than the nation's average, but going up faster too.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
A new Northwestern Medicine study on long COVID shows women show more neurological symptoms than men.
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, the CDC said.
Chicago just barely made the top 20 in the American College of Sports Medicine's 2026 ranking of the country's fittest cities.
In a major turnaround in the opioid crisis, overdose deaths are falling across Chicago and Cook County.
The north Chicago suburb of Glenview became the latest Illinois municipality this week to confirm mosquitoes testing positive for the West Nile virus this year.
Illinois American Water and Aqua Illinois are both seeking rate increases that would raise monthly bills by as much as $28, while their parent companies seek regulatory approval to merge — a deal a consumer watchdog says would give one company control of nearly all regulated water customers in the state.
The Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general from several states secured a right-to-repair settlement Wednesday with agriculture equipment giant Deere & Co. — commonly known as John Deere — that requires the company to let farmers and independent shops fix their own equipment.
Chicago Soul Café opened Monday at 6248 S. St. Lawrence Ave.
The Chicago Bears this weekend said they are assessing land at Wolf Lake Terminals in Hammond, Indiana, for a possible new stadium.
As an alternative to legalizing video gambling terminals citywide, Bally's offered to open slot machine lounges at O'Hare and Midway, saying the move would replace the $6.8 million the city budgeted from VGTs.
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" is the first film shot entirely on 70mm IMAX cameras, and Cinemark Seven Bridges in Woodridge is 1 of roughly 30 theaters nationwide equipped to show it that way.
Brenda Fricker won an Academy Award for 1989's "My Left Foot," played the Pigeon Lady in "Home Alone 2" and appeared in "A Time to Kill" and "So I Married an Axe Murderer."
The actor's agent said he was providing more information following news reports "which contain inaccuracies and outright falsehoods."
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for "Jurassic Park" and "The Piano," died Monday at 78, his family says.
The 46th Taste of Chicago is cashless for the first time, accepting only credit cards, with a drone and fireworks show scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m. Friday near Buckingham Fountain.
The child, who's nonverbal, managed to walk down the sidewalk, turn the corner and cross several busy intersections on State Street before a CTA bus driver spotted him and knew something wasn't right.
The pharmacy chain says common medications for dogs and cats are now available at about 9,000 locations nationwide.
Meteorologist David Yeomans is tracking the latest in First Alert Weather.
Co-owners Jill Skintges and Jason Cole recently brought back the late-night weekend hours that were a key part of the legendary jazz club.
Residents say they've been dealing with the issue for the past two months. Some expressed that they're glad to see the business closed.
A bar on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Park community was shut down by Chicago police Tuesday morning, days after a fight broke out at a party in the bar and led to a fatal shooting.
On Fridays at the Green Mill, the jazz starts in the afternoon and goes until the wee hours of the morning.
On July 8, Josiah managed to leave the school building and wander from Cermak nearly half a mile down State Street.
The contractor, who was conducting work, was stranded about 130 feet above ground inside an enclosed sign structure toward the top of a sign pole.
Orlando Rivas was killed while he was shielding students after a car hit a pole that fell on him earlier this year.
Record heat and major air quality issues created by wildfire smoke were key topics as some of the top climate leaders from around the world gathered in Chicago this week for the Aspen Institute's annual climate summit.
Police say a man and a woman were last seen speaking with the victim before the shooting.
Neighbors in the Avalon Park neighborhood said their community has been plagued by squatters, weeds, rats, and water leaks – all thanks to an abandoned home that's been sitting vacant for years.
Chicago has been feeling the heat this week, with highs in the 90s the past five days, but officials are making moves to cool off some of the hottest parts of the city, specifically Chicago Park District fieldhouses where many turn to keep cool.
Gene Rush survived throat cancer, but he didn't survive a trip to the Porter County Jail over 4th of July weekend. His family said jail staff failed to provide lifesaving medical care.
A night after losing the series opener 10-3, the Rangers (51-50) finished with a season-high 18 hits and avoided falling below .500 for the first time since June 27.
Chicago collected 11 hits while improving to 23-10 in its last 33 games, bouncing back nicely after losing 8-6 in 10 innings in the series opener on Monday night.
Head coach David Braun is excited about what an intimate environment can do for his team.
The WNBA All-Star Game is being held in Chicago on Saturday, with the city hosting events in celebration.
All eyes are on Chicago as the city gets set to host the WNBA All-Star Weekend for the second time.
A bar on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago's Lincoln Park community was shut down by Chicago police Tuesday morning, days after a fight broke out at a party in the bar and led to a fatal shooting.
A man was shot and wounded early Tuesday in the Wentworth Gardens public housing development just south of Rate Field.
Charges were pending Tuesday morning for a man accused of shooting a woman and a Chicago police SWAT officer in Chicago's Albany Park community the day before.
A man stabbed two tourists near the ancient Acropolis in Athens, Greece's top tourist attraction, police said.
A man was shot and killed in a fight in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood Sunday night.
