Four days after losing their season opener to the Texans 23-14 in Houston, the Bears return to the practice field Thursday to begin preparing for Monday night's home opener against the Eagles.
The Bears (0-1) will look to reach the .500 mark for the first time since they were 3-3 in 2014 and reverse a trend that saw them compile a franchise-worst 1-7 home record last season.
Beginning Monday, the Bears will play four of six games at night. That includes a Sunday night contest in Dallas next week, followed by back-to-back prime-time games Thursday, Oct. 20 in Green Bay and Monday, Oct. 31 against the Vikings at Soldier Field.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is 10-5 all-time as a starter on Monday Night Football.
The Bears are 29-36 all-time on Monday Night Football, including 11-3 since 2008. They won their only MNF appearance last season, rallying to beat the Chargers 22-19 in San Diego.
Monday's game marks the sixth time the Bears will have played their home opener on Monday Night Football. They are 2-3 in those contests, beating the Giants 34-19 in 1987 and Cowboys 22-6 in1996 and losing to the Vikings 24-20 in 1978, Giants 27-14 in 1992 and Packers 38-23 in the first game in the new Soldier Field in 2003.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is 10-5 all-time as a starter on Monday Night Football, completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 3,421 yards with 26 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 93.4 passer rating.
In four career games against the Eagles, Cutler has connected on 76 of 131 passes for 848 yards with eight touchdowns, two interceptions and a 91.4 rating.
The Bears lead all the all-time series over the Eagles 30-12-1 and have won four of six. The Bears won their first 15 home games against Philadelphia from 1939-95, but are just 2-5 in Illinois since that point.
The Eagles won the last meeting 54-11 on Dec. 22, 2013 in Philadelphia. The Eagles scored touchdowns on their first three possessions to take a 21-0 lead. It was the most lopsided loss for the Bears since 1977 and the second most points they've permitted in franchise history. They were outrushed 289-61 and allowed Nick Foles to complete 21 of 25 passes for 230 yards and two TDs.
The Eagles (1-0) won their season opener last Sunday over the Browns 29-10 in Philadelphia. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, the second overall pick in the draft, passed for 278 yards and two TDs with no turnovers in his first NFL game.
After Week 1, the Bears rank 29th in offense (23rd rushing and 25th passing) and tied for 16th in defense (24th against the run and 12th versus the pass). The Eagles rank 7th in offense (8th rushing and 12th passing) and 5th in defense (23rd versus the run and 5th versus the pass).
ChicagoBears.com will provide all the latest news throughout the week from Halas Hall. Coach John Fox will address the media Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers will be available Thursday, while Cutler and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains will speak Friday.
