LAKE FOREST, Ill. – It’s been an up-and-down 2008 season so far for the Bears, who’ve had records of 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 and 5-5 in the same year for the first time in franchise history.

But with the Bears locked in a three-way tie atop the NFC North with the Packers and Vikings, all that matters is what transpires over the final six weeks of the season.

Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and the Bears will look to at least maintain a share of first place Sunday against the Rams.

“We’re all even,” said quarterback Kyle Orton. “What you do from this point forward is going to determine whether you make the playoffs or not, not what you did the previous 10 games but what we do the next six, and that’s what everybody’s focus is on this week in practice.”

The Bears are the only NFL team that does not face an opponent currently with a winning record the rest of the season. After visiting the Rams (2-8) and Vikings (5-5), Chicago will host the Jaguars (4-6), Saints (5-5) and Packers (5-5) before visiting the Texans (3-7). 

“We need to get a winning streak going,” Orton said. “We’ve been [recording] one or two wins at a time and then taking a setback. We’ve always talked about going on a five- or six-game winning streak and we have a chance to do that starting this week.

“We know we are at a critical point in the season. The cream is going to rise to the top, so hopefully it pushes everybody to work harder, get it right and get a win.”

One game away: Some outsiders have buried the Bears following their 37-3 drubbing last Sunday in Green Bay. But coach Lovie Smith knows that a win over the Rams would assuage concerns over an offense and defense that have struggled in recent weeks.

“It’s a big challenge anytime you lose a football game, but we’re not in the gutter or anything like that,” Smith said. “We’re in first place in our division and we didn’t play well this past week. We’ve done a lot of good things. Looking at it on the other hand, we’re one game away from solving a lot of the problems that we have right now and feeling good about ourselves.

“It’s week-to-week, and that’s what we’re looking at. We’re looking at one team, the St. Louis Rams, and if we play the way we’re capable of playing, a lot of these things we’re talking about right now will go away.”

Health beat: Wide receiver Marty Booker (knee), defensive tackle Tommie Harris (rest), center Olin Kreutz (rest), linebacker Darrell McClover (hamstring) and tackle Fred Miller (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. All but McClover are expected to work out Thursday. Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison (ankle), and linebackers Nick Roach (ankle) and Jamar Williams (neck) were limited in practice.

For the Rams, running back Steven Jackson (thigh) is out; linebacker Chris Draft (foot), cornerback Tye Hill (knee), guard Richie Incognito (shoulder), defensive end Eric Moore (spine) and tackle Orlando Pace (knee) did not practice; defensive end Leonard Little (hamstring) was limited; and cornerback Ron Bartell (knee) and defensive tackle La’Roi Glover (knee) practiced without limitations. Pace is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with his injury.

Welcome back: Guard Terrence Metcalf practiced with the Bears Wednesday after completing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on steroids and related substances. He is exempt from the roster this week but can be activated for Sunday’s game in St. Louis.

Roster move: The Bears on Wednesday signed rookie receiver Rudy Burgess to the practice squad. The 5-10, 186-pounder entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts before spending the preseason as a defensive back with the New York Jets. Burgess was a receiver, tailback, cornerback and return specialist in four seasons at Arizona State.