KANSAS CITY - The Bears will look to win back-to-back games for the first time since last Nov. 16 and 23 when they visit the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Bears (1-3) beat the Raiders last weekend after opening the season with losses to the Packers, Cardinals and Seahawks, three 2014 playoff teams that posted a combined record of 35-13 last year.
The Chiefs (1-3) have lost three straight to the Broncos, Packers and Bengals—all of whom are 4-0—since opening the season with a victory over the Texans.
Linebacker Pernell McPhee
Due to a rash of injuries, the Bears could be shorthanded on both sides of the ball. Left tackle Jermon Bushrod has been ruled out for the second straight game with a concussion, safety Antrel Rolle is doubtful with an ankle injury, and 13 others are listed as questionable.
That group includes quarterback Jay Cutler (hamstring), receivers Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (ankle), right tackle Kyle Long (back/ankle), outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (shoulder) and defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle).
Others on that list are quarterback Jimmy Clausen (back), tackle Tayo Fabuluje (ankle), guard Patrick Omameh (ankle), defensive lineman Will Sutton (elbow), linebacker Shea McClellin (elbow), and cornerbacks Alan Ball (groin) and Sherrick McManis (hamstring).
In last Sunday's 36-21 loss in Cincinnati, Kansas City kicked seven field goals but was unable to score a touchdown. The Chiefs gained 461 yards, possessed the ball for 36:53 and scored on seven of 10 possessions—but still lost by 15 points.
Quarterback Alex Smith completed 31 of 45 passes for 386 yards. But he was sacked five times, increasing Kansas City's season total to a league-high 19 sacks.
The Bears defense is led by outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, who has recorded 28 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, two sacks and one interception. The 6-3, 275-pounder is one of only three NFL players with at least two sacks and one interception and he's the first Bears player to accomplish the feat in the first four games of a season since Lance Briggs in 2005.
In four career games against the Chiefs—all when he played for the Broncos—Cutler has completed 98 of 145 passes for 1,083 yards with eight touchdowns, four interceptions and a 96.4 passer rating.
The Bears lead the all-time series 6-5 over the Chiefs, with the teams alternating victories in their last eight contests. Kansas City won the last meeting 10-3 on Dec. 4, 2011 at Soldier Field.
Since losing to the Chiefs 31-3 at Arrowhead Stadium in the 2003 season finale in Dick Jauron's final game as coach, the Bears have visited every other NFL team's stadium.
Entering Week 5, the Bears rank 26th in offense (11th rushing and 29th passing) and 7th in defense (24th against the run and 4th versus the pass). The Chiefs rank 14th in offense (15th rushing and 13th passing) and 29th in defense (14th versus the run and 28th versus the pass).
