Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns: Gameday Preview

Dec 8, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; Fans watch a game between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Who?

The 7-6 Chicago Bears visit the 4-9 Cleveland Browns

What?

Week 15 NFL Football

Where?

FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio; aka The Dawg Pound

Where Else?

If you’re taking the game in from the comfort of your own home, Fox will be broadcasting the game with Thom Brennaman  and Brian Billick on the call.  For a coverage map to see where the Bears and Browns will be featured, check out 506 Sports Week 15 coverage map.  The radio duties will be handled by Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer on WBBM AM 780 and FM 105.9.

When?

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 Noon Central time

Why?

The Bears are fighting for their playoff lives on Sunday.  They’ve pulled even with the Detroit Lions record-wise, but trail them in the tiebreaker, so they’ll need to win one more game than the Lions with three left to play.  The Lions will be sitting back and watching the Bears, since they don’t square off with the Baltimore Ravens until Monday Night Football.

Jay Cutler makes his not-so-long-awaited return after missing the last few weeks with a high ankle sprain.  Josh McCown has played well in Cutler’s absence, which makes Cutler’s return controversial.  McCown led the Bears to an offensive explosion last week, scoring on all eight of their possessions against the Cowboys, enough to get named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Weather Forecast

Week 14 showed us how important the weather can be, with a lot of games played in cold and snowy conditions.  A major winter storm cut through the Midwest and Northeast on Saturday.  It looks like the worst has moved out, but the forecast for Cleveland still calls for a 40% chance for snow and a high of 26F.

Hit Page 2 for more on this critical matchup.