Patriots-bear could be played in hazardous environments (The National Football Post) (Yahoo!)

Soldier Field will be the host of what might be the confrontation of marquee in 14 week with bears play the New England Patriots in Chicago for the first time since 2000.

Patriots (10-2) can obtain a playoffs berth with a win. Bears (9-3) are a game in the Brig the Atlanta Falcons NFC North for the top seed in the Conference. This is a game full of intriguing scenarios, no more persuasive than Tom Brady (notes) vs the defence of the Medal of honour of opportunistic bear rejuvenated with the arrival of the winger defensive Julius Peppers (notes) and Executive Coordinator of the first year Rod Marinelli.

And it is a game that can be played in terrible conditions altogether. Latest game-time forecasts are for temperatures to 18 degrees and drop, with winds gusting to 30 mph to 50 mph wind. That could cause actual Brady and bear quarter Jay Cutler (notes). Bystanders you say it is not difficult to throw the ball to rain or snow, but winds can get rid of air attacks.

"For us, is the typical game in Chicago in December," Bears Lovie Smith has said the coach. "Do we plan for this match." Yes. This is our home field advantage. Or do I should not say advantage. This is our home field that we play. Get ready for all the situations that each week. Once again, it is not as if we are going to start to do anything differently than we normally at the time of the year. »

It's not as if the visitor is not accustomed to Old Man Winter, though. The Patriots know that they will meet. How they prepare?

"We just go outside (practice)," coach Bill Belichick saod. "We were under cold conditions and windy here at points in the year." We have a freezer.

Follow me on Twitter: BradBiggs

Brad Biggs covers bear for the Chicago Tribune

Alan Branch of Arizona, fined for hit on Sam Bradford, The National Football Post) (Yahoo!)

Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Alan Branch (notes) did not go too far from the loss of Sunday without paying a price St. Louis Cardinals.

NFL has fined $10,000 for unnecessarily hit the Rams quarterback Sam Bradford in the area of the head and neck, branch according to Darren Urban, who writes for the team Web site.

The branch has the right to appeal against the fine.

Follow me on Twitter: BradBiggs

Brad Biggs covers bear for the Chicago Tribune

Report: Stoops finalizing contract with Florida (The National Football Post) (yahoo.com)

We were on the road to Bob Stoops to INSERT SCHOOL before, involving coach Chief Oklahoma should take with a grain of salt.

But as of late Saturday morning, GatorCountry.com reported that Stoops is finalizing a contract to succeed urban Meyer as the face of Florida program.

According to the report, Stoops negotiating with the Sports Director Jeremy Foley and Gators, administration with the former quarterback Kerwin Bell eventually become offensive coordinator team.

Raymond Hines Web site a warning that the agreement could still bring down and that Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham and defensive coordinator Texas Will Muschamp were added to B - list of Foley - backup plan if Foley can bring to a wholesale.

Chris Petersen, Boise State head coach is reportedly one of the names on the list.

Stoops, of course, served as co-ordinator defensive in Gainesville for three years in Steve Spurrier.

By e-mail at dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave