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NFL Chicago Bears

5 Chicago Bears to Watch in Week 12

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6 Chicago Bears to Watch in Week 12

Chicago Bears-Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery celebrate
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During the Week 11 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears, all of the attention will be directed to Lovie Smith’s return to the Windy City. Even though the Smith-Bears reunion may be the focal point, there are a number of individuals on Chicago’s sideline who will be worth watching throughout the game. Here are the Bears’ key players in this week’s contest.

5. Tim Jennings

Chicago Bears-Tim Jennings
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tim Jennings

Chicago Bears-Tim Jennings
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback Tim Jennings has been very quiet this season. After totaling 13 interceptions from 2012-13, the two-time Pro Bowler has zero picks through the first 10 games of the year. Jennings may have a chance to get his first pick of the season lining up against a Buccaneers offense that has thrown 12 interceptions on the year (tied for fourth in the NFL).

4. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery

Chicago Bears-Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery2
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4. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery

Chicago Bears-Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery2
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I'm cheating here, but you have to think of them as a duo. Both Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) were limited in practice this week due to injuries. The Pro Bowl receivers are coming off their best combined effort of the season. We’ll see if the duo is slowed down by their ailments.

3. Kyle Fuller

Chicago Bears-Kyle Fuller2
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3. Kyle Fuller

Chicago Bears-Kyle Fuller2
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Rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller may spend most of the afternoon attempting to shadow fellow rookie Mike Evans in the passing game. Evans has amassed 21 receptions for 458 receiving yards and five touchdowns in the last three games.

2. Kyle Long

Chicago Bears-Kyle Long2
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2. Kyle Long

Chicago Bears-Kyle Long2
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Buccaneers defensive tackles Gerald McCoy has 6.5 sacks (second-most among interior linemen). Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long will have his hands full in trying to keep McCoy off the quarterback, as well as out of the backfield during the running game.

1. Jay Cutler

Chicago Bears-Jay Cutler warming up
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1. Jay Cutler

Chicago Bears-Jay Cutler warming up
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How Jay Cutler reacts against Lovie Smith’s Cover-2 defense just might be the difference-maker in this game. Cutler has seen this scheme for four seasons while Smith was the head coach for the Bears. Cutler’s familiarity should greatly benefit Chicago’s offense.

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