Three days after an impressive win over the Buccaneers, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday's season finale against the Lions at Soldier Field.
The Bears (6-9) will look to win their final two regular-season games for the first time since 2012 and avoid back-to-back double-digit losing seasons for the first time since 1999-2000.
Jay Cutler has thrown for 3,022 yards and 18 touchdowns in 13 career games vs. Detroit.
While the Bears went 5-3 on the road this season, they're just 1-6 at home, having lost four straight at Soldier Field since a 22-20 victory over the Raiders on Oct. 4.
The Lions (6-9) have won two straight and five of seven after a 1-7 start. Detroit's only victory in its first eight games was a 37-34 overtime win over the Bears Oct. 18 at Ford Field.
The winner of Sunday's game will finish in third place in the NFC North. The Lions have won the last five meetings, their longest winning streak in the series since they recorded five consecutive victories from 1971-73. Detroit hasn't won six in a row over the Bears since 1968-70.
The series between the two long-time division rivals has been swept 10 of the last 11 years, with the Bears winning both games in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 and the Lions sweeping in 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2014.
Despite losing their last five match-ups with the Lions, the Bears still lead the all-time series 96-70-5, with the 96 wins their most against any single opponent.
The Bears are 15-4 in season finales versus the Lions, including 9-2 at home. The Bears won the last finale between the teams 26-24 on Dec. 30, 2012 at Ford Field, but they were eliminated from playoff contention later in the day when the Vikings beat the Packers.
In 13 career games against the Lions, Jay Cutler has completed 263 of 424 passes for 3,022 yards with 18 touchdowns, eight interceptions and an 89.8 passer rating.
In 15 games versus Detroit, Kyle Long has rushed for 1,135 yards and seven TDs on 260 carries and caught 53 passes for 472 yards and four TDs. Forte enters Sunday's game needing eight receptions to tie Hall of Famer Walter Payton's all-time Bears record of 492 catches.
The Bears rank 20th in offense (12th in rushing and 23rd passing) and rank 16th in defense (27th against the run and 4th versus the pass). The Lions rank 18th in offense (31st rushing and 9th passing) and 17th in defense (19th against the run and 14th 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.
