After an off day Tuesday, the Bears return to the practice field Wednesday to continue preparing for Sunday's season opener against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
Looking to improve on last year's 6-10 record, the Bears will open the regular season on the road for the first time since 2009, snapping a string of six straight home openers.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler
The Texans won the AFC South title last year with a 9-7 record, winning seven of their final nine games following a 2-5 start. Houston lost at home in the AFC divisional playoffs 30-0 to the Chiefs.
The Texans are the only current NFL team the Bears have never defeated. Houston is 3-0 in the series, recording wins by scores of 24-5 in 2004, 31-24 in 2008 and 13-6 in 2012.
The Bears will enter Sunday's game with 54 opening-day victories, the most in the NFL. They are 54-37-5 in openers but have lost two straight, 23-20 in overtime to the Bills in 2014 and 31-23 to the Packers last year.
Last season the Bears ranked 21st in offense (11th rushing and 23rd passing) and 14th in defense (tied for 22nd against the run and 4th versus the pass). The Texans ranked 19th in offense (15th rushing and 18th passing) and 3rd in defense (10th versus the run and 3rd 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 quarterback Cutler and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains will speak Thursday.
