Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
With Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall both on pace for 1,000-yard seasons, when if ever have the Bears had two receivers go over the 1,000-yard mark in the same season?
Chris
Iowa
The only time that's ever happened was in 1995 when Jeff Graham (82 catches for 1,301 yards and four touchdowns) and Curtis Conway (62-1,037-12) accomplished the feat. The Bears also had a 1,000-yard rusher that season in Rashaan Salaam, who ran for 1,074 yards and 10 TDs on 296 carries but lost eight of nine fumbles. The Bears struggled on defense in 1995, however, finishing 9-7 and losing games by scores of 27-24, 34-28, 37-34 and 35-28.
How many times have the Bears played a game without both Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs?
Phil W.
Madison, Wisconsin
Since cornerback Charles Tillman and linebacker Lance Briggs arrived together in the 2003 draft, the Bears have played a grand total of one game without both of them—a 37-27 loss to the Lions in Detroit on Sept. 30, 2007. The Bears led that contest 13-3 after three quarters before allowing an NFL-record 34 points in the fourth period. But the defense wasn't solely to blame. Detroit scored touchdowns on a 64-yard interception return and a 41-yard return of an onside kick.
Are the Bears on pace to set a team record for most points in a season?
Scott
Yes, they are. The Bears have scored 259 points in nine games this season, an average of 28.8, which ranks third in the NFL behind the Broncos (41.2) and Saints (29.4). That puts the Bears on pace to score 460 points, which would eclipse the team record of 456 set by the 1985 Super Bowl championship team. Unfortunately, they could also set a franchise mark for most points allowed. They're on pace to yield 439, which would break the record of 421 established in 1997.
