Nov 4, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) is congratulated by teammates Chris Conte (47) and Thaddeus Gibson (93) after intercepting a pass by Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (not pictured) and returning it for a touchdown during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-US PRESSWIRE

The trophy case in Halas Hall is getting awfully crowded this season as a couple more Bears earned some hardware after the Bears’ 51-20 victory against the Titans last week. Brian Urlacher and Sherrick McManis were named NFC Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, the first teammates to win player of the week awards since Buccaneers Derrick Brooks and Matt Bryant accomplished the feat in 2008.

Brian Urlacher was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception return for a touchdown.  It’s the sixth time #54 has won player of the week honors and the first time since Week 1 in 2011 when the Bears beat the Falcons thanks in part to his 10 tackles and an interception. (more…)

Special teams coach Dave Toub and head coach Lovie Smith discuss the Bears kick return situation. (Photo courtesy of chicagobears.com)

It was great to see Devin Hester back returning kickoffs for the Bears last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.  His 68 yard return in the 3^rd quarter set up a Robbie Gould field goal that gave the Bears a 20-13 lead that they didn’t relinquish.  Hester finished the day with 100 kick return yards and 47 punt return yards and was named NFC Special Team Player of the Week.  My question is, why the heck did the Bears stop using him on kickoffs in the first place?

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This video clip has created a stir for a couple of different reasons.  Give it a look with the ever-enthusiastic Bears radio voice Jeff Joniak on the call after the jump. (more…)

Honors

Congrats to Lance Briggs, the Bears’ lone Pro Bowl selection.  This makes the fourth straight trip to Hawaii for Lance, who has taken over as the leader of the Defense.  Tommie Harris makes it as a first alternate, while Olin Kreutz, Greg Olsen and Brad Maynard get the nod as second alternates.  In the “things that make you go ‘huh?’” selections, Brian Urlacher (pictured above being blocked by Maurice Jones-Drew) and Devin Hester join as third alternates.  Really?  Devin Hester can’t crack the starting lineup as kick returner on his own team.  I guess it shows how slowly news travels around the NFL.  Click here for the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl Rosters.

Speaking of kick returners, Danieal Manning earns NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors after his 83-yard opening kick return against the Saints.  It was the first opening kickoff return since Devin Hester’s opening kickoff return in Super Bowl XLI.  Ahh, remember when?  Manning leads the NFL in kick returns this season with a 29.5 yard average. Nice work Danieal!

Power Rankings Around the Web

Bears are ranked smack dab in the middle of the Power Rankings on both ESPN , CBS Sportsline and Sports Illustrated. FoxSports is a little more generous, with a ranking of 13, ahead of the streaking Eagles and the playoff-bound Cardinals. 

What Vegas Thinks

The Bears have been installed as a 4.5 point favorite on Monday night against the rival Packers, who slapped the Beloved around at Lambeau earlier this year.  It’s payback time!  The total for the regular season home finale is 42.  With temperatures expected in the single digits with below-zero wind chills, those points might be tough to come by.  Not that I advocate going to the window.  But if I did, I would go under.