Three days after their season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to prepare for Sunday's home game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The contest at Soldier Field will feature the NFL's only two original franchises that are still in existence. The teams first met in 1920, the year the league was founded, splitting two games.
The Bears lead the all-time series 58-27-6 and have won six of the last eight. They won the last meeting 28-13 on Dec. 23, 2012 in Arizona, returning two of three takeaways for touchdowns, limiting the Cardinals to 29 yards rushing and recording four sacks. The Bears rushed for 152 yards with Kyle Long gaining 88 yards on 12 carries before exiting with an ankle injury.
The Cardinals (1-0) won their season opener last Sunday, beating the Saints 31-19 in Arizona. Quarterback Carson Palmer threw three touchdown passes in his first game back from a torn ACL he sustained last season and has now won 14 of his last 16 starts.
Running back Andre Ellington rushed for 69 yards before suffering a knee injury that will likely force him to miss Sunday's game at Soldier Field. He's expected to be replaced by Chris Johnson.
In three career games against the Cardinals, Jay Cutler has completed 62 of 104 passes for 776 yards with six touchdowns, two interceptions and a 107.6 passer rating. In two contests, Forte has rushed for 121 yards and one TD on just 17 carries, a 7.1-yard average.
After Week 1, the Bears rank sixth in the NFL in offense (2nd rushing and 17th passing) and 14th in defense (26th against the run and 13th versus the pass). The Cardinals rank fourth in offense (11th rushing and 6th passing) and 28th in defense (1st versus the run and 30th versus the pass).
ChicagoBears.com will provide all the latest news throughout the week from Halas Hall. Coach John Fox will address the media Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers will be available Wednesday, while Cutler and offensive coordinator Adam Gase will speak Thursday.
