LAKE FOREST, Ill. – If the Bears hope to not only make the playoffs but enjoy a successful postseason run this year, their inconsistent defense must start pulling its own weight.

At least that was the message that veteran safety Mike Brown delivered to reporters Thursday at Halas Hall.

Mike Brown tries to recover a loose ball under Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky last Sunday in Chicago.

“It’s time for the defense to step up, man,” said the ninth-year pro from Nebraska. “We’re tired of being the weak link. We’re used to being the strong link, and right now we’re definitely the weak link on this team.

“For us to be successful as far as getting to the playoffs and being successful in the playoffs, it’s up to the defense, so we’re hoping and preparing to play great defense.”

A microcosm of the unit’s hot-and-cold play this season occurred in last Sunday’s win over the Lions when the defense allowed 23 points in the second quarter before shutting out Detroit in the second half.

“We’ve been inconsistent,” Brown said. “We’ve played well at times and haven’t at other times. 

"No one can put their finger on it. Trust us, if we knew what the problem was, we would have fixed it a long time ago. All I can tell you is no one on that side of the ball is satisfied. We’re very mediocre and that’s something that we’re not satisfied with.”

The defense will try to pick up where it left off in the second half against the Lions Sunday when the Bears (5-3) host the undefeated Tennessee Titans (8-0) at Soldier Field.

“It’s a big game for us,” Brown said. “I think emotionally we’re going to be very high and play with a lot of intensity, and I think that’s something sometimes that this team is missing, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

“When we get in situations where the perception on the outside is that it’s a really, really huge game or that the team is going to dominate us, we play better. So hopefully we take that mentality into this week.”

After exiting the Lions game just before halftime with a calf injury, Brown hopes to play against the Titans after practicing on a limited basis Thursday.

“I feel really good, definitely a lot better than I did when I left the game,” said Brown, who has been plagued by leg injuries in recent seasons. “I think I learned from my past of getting injured, so I shut it down before it got really bad, and I was able to treat it and get things done. I feel like I’m going to be able to play, but sometimes it’s not the player’s decision. Some people higher on the totem pole have the final say.”

Brown acknowledged that earlier in his career he would have attempted to play through the pain.

“Back in the day I definitely would have tried to go back on the field and probably would’ve ended up hurting myself pretty bad,” he said. “I just took an awkward step and I felt a little twinge, and the twinge wouldn’t go away. 

“It's something I had to be smart about. I don’t want to risk ripping something up really bad. It was in my best interest, especially for the team, to just shut it down and try to get treatment and see how the treatment worked.”